Director of the Engineering Management Programme, University of Canterbury
Piet's advice to learners
Eagles do not catch flies. True business leaders focus on the essential matters that can make a real difference to their pursuits.
Piet on working at Executive Education
Executive Education gives me an opportunity to make contact with business and industry and industry. I can then share informed and tested information with practitioners, thereby helping them to lift their game.
Piet on his role at Executive Education
My role as facilitator is to bring a lifetime of practice-based experience to learners in a structured and informative manner.
I also act as a sounding board to Executive Education clients, challenging them to think different and think harder.
International teaching and industry experience
Piet has 40 years of international experience in the field of engineering management, technology management and commercialisation of technology, as well as training at university and industry level. Piet has a specific interest in the development of business strategy and innovative practice. He is highly regarded in New Zealand and internationally as a practitioner with a sound track record of achievement, using a practical and rigorous approach.
Piet's experiences are many and varied and include being the chief engineer of an airline, systems development advisor in the defence, marine consulting engineering and aerospace industries, and as Director of Technology Commercialisation at the University of South Australia. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Canterbury Innovation Incubator and the Christchurch Recovered Materials Foundation, taking this city-wide waste recycling project from concept to commercial reality as project manager, followed by being appointed as its founding CEO.
Piet received a national award for drafting legislation to control the non-proliferation of dual use technologies. He was also a contributor to the founding legislation for the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
Professional membership and key positions
• MIPENZ
• Director, Engineering Management Programme, University of Canterbury
• Visiting lecturer at universities of Otago and Adelaide.
• Self-employed trainer, consultant and mentor to CEOs and senior management.
Areas of Specialisation
• Engineering management
• Technology management
• Commercialisation of technology
• Strategic management
• Making innovation happen