Gough Group chief executive officer Karl Smith is one of twelve Kiwi executives who has received a Prime Minister’s business scholarship enabling him to study at an overseas business school.
Economic development minister Steven Joyce says the scholarships allow executives such as Smith to expand their international expertise, and are designed to grow business skills to help make New Zealand firms more internationally competitive.
This is the sixth year the scholarships have been awarded. Recipients will study at a range of top international institutions such as Harvard Business School, INSEAD (The Business School for the World), and the London Business School.
The study programmes range from 4 weeks to 20 months and funding covers up to 50% of course-related costs.
“Our distance from overseas markets and the size of our economy can be a challenge to firms wanting to enter international markets,” says Joyce.
“The scholarships will help to develop valuable networks and the global mindset of our business leaders. Ultimately, this will help to grow our economy.”
The other recipients of the 2015 Prime Minister’s business scholarships are Carolyn Paewai-Young, Prepared Foods Processing, Jodi Mitchell, Simplhealth Solutions, Josie Boyd, Northpower, Lauren Wells, Tatua Co-operative, Nick Fogarty, ARANZ Geo, Pierre van Heerden, Sanitarium, Richard Spelman, Livestock Improvement , Robert Gray, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Stephen Smith, Craggy Range Vineyards, Tim Alpe, JUCY Group, and Tom Meek, NZ Mint.
