Justin Edgar

I am inspired and committed to supporting the success of privately-owned New Zealand businesses through best practice governance as an independent director and/or advisory board member. With over 12 years of governance experience, I have promoted and supported greater financial rigour and deeper strategic thinking on the part of both the board(s) and management. My professional background has married entrepreneurship with strong finance and analytical capabilities. I have had a depth of experience in a number of industries: retailing, building and construction, food manufacturing and education. As a professional investor, I have also spent significant time understanding the energy and utilities, resources, and property and infrastructure sectors. I bring significant financial acumen, strategic thinking and entrepreneurship to the Board table.

Industry / Sector Experience

• Education with a focus on early childhood education
• Building and construction
• Manufacturing and retail, particularly food manufacturing for both domestic and international markets

Functional Skills

• Significant financial acumen through 16 years operating in financial markets, including 12 years as a professional investor engaged in fundamental, value-based company and industry analysis
• Strong analytical capabilities and the capacity to make/support decision making with imperfect information
• Budget setting and ensuring appropriate accountability. Demonstrated ability to tightly manage costs and drive operating margin improvement
• Regulatory compliance

Governance Attributes

• Good ability to work constructively and collaboratively with others
• Strong capacity to identify and articulate key drivers and focus on what is likely to generate the greatest positive impact
• Establishing frameworks upon which success is made both measurable and those responsible understand their accountability

CEO | Lidgard Sails and Shades, 2019-2021

Successfully managed operations through pandemic and lockdown years
Lidgard has achieved 85%+ revenue growth from FY20 through FY23 - achieved with ~50% increase in staff
Developed and grew wholesale markets for shade sail and outdoor blind products
Significantly grew presence in education sector
Developed key referral relationships with three major playground manufacturers
Undertook successful capital investment programme, significantly automating key functions attached to outdoor blind and awning manufacture
Developed key relationships and sponsorships with Melanoma NZ and ChildcareHub
Lidgard celebrates 50 years of trading in 2023 with illustrious legacy
Sold down 75% of investment late 2021. 50% of this was taken up by parties who sold business in 2019, recognising growth platform for company

CEO | Constantia Foods, 2018-2019

Constantia Foods is long established, family food manufacturing business based in Tauranga
Implemented financial reporting and inventory management system upgrades, including refinement of procurement practices
Upgraded quality assurance practices
Undertook moderate organisational restructure, refining functional responsibilities, job descriptions and reporting lines, decentralising decision making where possible and making best use of skill sets
Commenced work of product innovation (plant-based pates) and brand refreshment

CEO | Little Engines Learning Limited, 2011-2018

Developed (built) and operated early childhood service - Little Engines Montessori - in Grey Lynn, Auckland
Reached maximum occupancy within 15 months
Maintained full occupancy and consistent wait list throughout
Nuanced offering and specific features of operating model ensured venture realised industry-leading operating margins
Excellent relationships maintained with all key stakeholders
High quality ERO reviews and maintained "Very Well Placed" rating, reserved for the 5%-10% top performing early childhood services

Investment Analyst / Portfolio Manager | Brook Asset Management, 1999-2010

Significantly championed good corporate governance practices and protection of minority shareholder rights in New Zealand. This included lobbying, engagement at industry events (e.g. Property Council of New Zealand), introduction of special shareholder resolutions at publicly-listed company AGMs

Formed part of small team of investment professionals operating NZ's largest boutique investment management firm (as measured by funds under management)

Consistently ranked in first quartile (and generally number 1) in terms of investment performance of its equity (both core and alpha offerings) and property & infrastructure fund offerings (as measured by three-year rolling return)

First active equity portfolio manager to be selected by newly established NZ Superannuation Fund (aka "Cullen Fund"), 2002

Grafton United Cricket Club - Junior Club Committee member 2017-2020

Junior sports coach - Ponsonby Rugby Club and Grafton United Cricket Club 2012-2023

Happily supplied upon request.