Craig Knox

Chief Executive, CARTER HOLT HARVEY

CHH New Ventures evolved from Carter Holt Harvey's strategic drive to transform the business through innovation. Craig was appointed Chief Executive of the new business in 2000. A marketer by trade, Craig combines a strong customer perspective with strategic business planning and leadership skills to build a dynamic, fast-moving business focussed on delivering and facilitating innovation.

Previously, Craig has held management positions with Countrywide Bank, Eveready Batteries & other Carter Holt Harvey businesses, including BJ Ball Papers and CHH Forests. During that time he was awarded two TVNZ Marketing Awards and two Carter Holt Harvey "Making It" Awards. He was also a finalist in the 2001 NZIM Young Executive of the Year.

Craig led the project team that developed the concept of i2b ("Ideas to Business") and first implemented the programme within Carter Holt Harvey in 2000. The 2001 cycle generated 1,531 ideas from the Company's 1,,000 employees, achieving a world-class target of 14 ideas per 100 employees. This is triple the number received in the inaugural programme (512) and marks i2b globally as one of the most successful internal idea generation programmes.

Nine new ventures are being incubated within New Ventures, including a number of start-up businesses from outside i2b. Two (Climate, Smart Forests) have gained investment from the Carter Holt Harvey NZ$15 million VC fund, another is preparing to list on the New Capital Market, and others are in final stages of pre-establishment and R&D.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Auckland.