Executive Management Team

Linda Sissons, CNZM
Chief Executive
Ph. D. (London), Diploma in Adult Education (Edinburgh), MA (1st class Honours), Advanced Management Programme (Harvard)

Linda has been responsible for the strategic management and leadership of WelTec since 1999.  Prior to joining WelTec she held university and Institute of technology management roles in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

She represents the New Zealand Government on the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning, is on the Board of WorldSkills NZ, and is a Director of ESITO (Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation).  She has been a member of a number of Government commissions, including the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission.

Linda holds a PhD from London University, is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Tim Allen
General Manager, Business Development
BA (Victoria University), Graduate Diploma in Marketing (Victoria University)

Tim leads the development of new opportunities and the promotion of WelTec to meet its objectives. His areas of responsibility are marketing, international and WelTec Connect.

During 2011 he led the establishment and growth of WelTec Connect, which has been highly successful in its engagement with industry on R&D and capability development. Tim has also led the further development of WelTec’s partnerships with industry for student work placements notably cadetships.

Tim has extensive commercial, marketing and international experience, gained through senior roles in a diverse range of industries including education, shipping, sports and horticulture.

Mark Broadbent
Human Resources Director
BA (Victoria University), Diploma of Education (Canterbury), Diploma of Youth and Development (Commonwealth Youth Programme - Asia-Pacific Centre),  Ernst & Young Executive programme.

Mark is responsible for WelTec’s human resources strategy and change management as well as human resources operations and capability development.

With more than 25 years’ experience in human resources, line management, and development roles Mark’s has worked in a wide range of organisations covering the not-for-profit sector, government, state-owned enterprises, and education.

Mark is a member of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.

Alan Cadwallader
Academic Director
MMgt (Massey University), MBA (Otago University)

As Academic Director Alan is responsible for academic leadership at WelTec. His role is leading and managing academic policy development, including learning access, student support services and resources to ensure high-quality student learning experience outcomes. His role also includes leading the Institute’s research activities.

Nearly a decade in the tertiary sector is complemented by earlier pursuits in commerce and business. Alan has experience as a lecturer in business studies as well as head of school. His background in education for business management and his interest in New Zealand’s small business sector fit well with WelTec’s applied research and technology transfer contribution to business and industry.

During 2010 and much of 2011 Alan was a member of the Artena Society Board.

James Smith
Chief Financial Officer
BCA (Victoria University), CA (New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants)

James became the Chief Financial Officer in May 2011. In this role he managed the financial planning and reporting systems and services, and provided quality financial and strategic advice to internal and external stakeholders. During 2011 he was responsible for the Finance and Facilities & Procurement business units.

James has over a decade of tertiary sector experience gained both at WelTec and The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.

Peter Cowper
Chief Operating Officer

In 2012 the COO role involves managing the Academic Records and Administration (all the information pertaining to our students and their enrolment at WelTec), Information Technology Services and Support, Student Experience (the first point of contact for new students), Facilities (managing all our property and campuses), Procurement, Business Administration, Business Intelligence and change management business areas.

As well as these infrastructure and capability services, Peter’s responsibilities also include business process change initiatives for core student management.  Peter also leads the Shared Services Programme for WelTec (as part of the strategic partnership with Whitireia Polytechnic) and Chairs the Shared Service Governance Group.

Peter brings many years’ experience in leadership, managing complex and technical business operations, third-party supplier models and outsourcing, contract management and leading change. Peter’s previous roles include managing Telecom New Zealand’s operational and delivery business areas including leading large change projects. He was Head of Science and Engineering at BRANZ Ltd, a building research organisation and he owns Quorum Group, a management and leadership consultancy practice.

Peter is a Member of the Maritime New Zealand Authority  (the MNZ Board), is a founding trustee of the Porirua Digital Trust and member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Michael Hesp
Director, Special Projects
Master of Applied Finance (Victoria University), CA (New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants)

Michael began his new role, having previously been WelTec’s General Manager Corporate and Finance, in mid-2011. The role of Director, Special Projects is to provide advice on specific high priority strategy developments; manage investment and capital projects; and develop WelTec’s long-term campus plan.

Previous experience for Michael includes a number of roles for Fletcher Construction; being a member of the team that privatised Works Property Services to become Serco Group NZ, then holding the roles of Corporate Services Director and Finance Director for Serco; Chief Financial Officer and Board Secretary for the New Zealand Wool Board; a number of consulting and contracting roles for organisations including the Department of Labour, Healthcare Otago, Wellington City Council, and the Correspondence School.

Michael is a member New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Julia Hennessy
Executive Dean, The Faculty
MEd (Victoria University), MMgt (Massey University), PG Dip HSM (Massey University), BA (Victoria University), DipN (Wellington Polytechnic)

Julia has the overall responsibility for the management of the Faculty which is comprised of seven Schools and the Academic Manager’s Unit. 

Prior to becoming the Executive Dean of the Faculty, Julia was previously Executive Dean of the Faculty for Health, Business and Service Industries.

Previous experience for Julia includes General Manager, Mental Health and Addiction Service for Hutt Valley DHB and Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Health.  She worked in the tertiary education sector before being appointed Relationship Manager for the Central Regional Health Authority. 

She also taught on health related programmes in the tertiary sector. 

She is a Fellow of the College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ) and was a member of Nursing Council of New Zealand from 2008-2011.