Tim Cook
Director
Tim Cook is Managing Director of Collins Asset Management Ltd, an Auckland based private equity investment company. The company has a number of investments in technology, property, executive recruitment and the motor industry. Collins Group is a cornerstone shareholder with a 19.69% of Charlie's.
Tim is a Director of a number of companies within and outside Collins Group. These include Cook Executive Recruitment, Auckland Heart Group, Cabco Group, Brand IT Ltd and Team McMillan BMW.
His earlier management career includes senior retail and operational management roles in the supermarket, retail food and fashion industry sectors. Tim has been with Collins Group since 2003 where he was initially a business advisor to the Chairman and subsequently became a Director and CEO of Primecare Retirement Villages. He then oversaw the sale of the business in 2005 and the group became a private equity organisation.
Back to top ^
Mark Darrow
Independent Director
Mark Darrow joined the board of Charlie's Group Limited as an independent director on 1st May 2007, and also takes the role of Chairman for the Group's Finance and Audit Committee. He is a chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Business and attended London's prestigious Ashridge Executive development program.
As an executive director with GE Money, he maintains a strong management and financial involvement in New Zealand business. Mark has a wealth of experience in the financial sector including Chief Executive roles in the sharebroking, asset management and advisory sectors involved with companies such as Direct Broking, Equity Investment Advisors and Dorchester Life.
He was previously Managing Director of Continental Car Services, and MD of Peugeot New Zealand. These roles have given him a wealth of experience in import/export, distribution, retail and marketing. Mark maintains his ties with the industry through his directorship of the New Zealand Motor Industry Training Organisation.
Mark received an International award from Variety – The Children's Charity for his support and work with the charity, and received a Leadership Award from the New Zealand Institute for Strategic Leadership.
With the middle name of Charles, he spent his early years being called ''Charlie'' by his family, so feels quite at home with us here. Mark ''Charlie'' Darrow has been a believer and supporter of the Charlie's Group since day one, and had the pleasure of being the first person to buy Charlie's shares when they were listed on NZX.
Back to top ^
Marc Ellis
Director
Marc Ellis studied commerce at Otago University, majoring in Marketing /Management and graduating in 1995. Having played representative rugby union for both Otago and the All Blacks he transferred to Auckland in 1996 to play professional rugby league for the Auckland Warriors, also starting a part time marketing role for KPMG Auckland.
In 1998, Marc set up a juicing operation to cater for the Auckland food service market with fellow Charlie's founder Simon Neal. On Stefan Lepionka's return from the UK, he became involved in this idea, and Charlie's was created. Marc retired from professional sport in 2000 and worked full time as Charlie's Marketing Director until early 2005 when he resigned to further other business interests. Marc was a director of Charlie's since its inception in 1998 until stepping down in August 2005. Marc rejoined the board in September 2006.
Back to top ^
Stefan Lepionka
Managing Director and CEO
Stefan is the Managing Director and CEO of Charlie's Group Limited. Stefan has been involved in producing and selling orange juice since 1990. Stefan's first business - Stefan's Orange Juice - was purchased by Frucor Beverages in 1997. Following this, Stefan spent a number of years overseas, including trading fruit juice commodities in London for Dohler Euro Citrus, and working as a consultant to the shareholders and directors of England's leading fruit smoothie and fresh juice company, Pete & Johnny's plc.
Stefan established Charlie's with Marc Ellis and Simon Neal with a view to bringing a higher quality juice product to the NZ market. Stefan is primarily responsible for Charlie's day-to-day management of the business and for strategic direction and vision.
Back to top ^
Ted Van Arkel
Chairman
Mr van Arkel is the Chairman of Charlie’s Group Limited and has been involved with the Company since listing on the NZX.
Ted is a Director of a number of public and private companies which include National Property Trust, Allied Work Force Group Limited, Paper Plus NZ Limited, Danske Mobler Limited, La Grouw Corporation Limited and is also Chairman of Restaurant Brands (NZ) Limited.
Prior to Ted becoming a professional Director he was Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises Limited. He retired from that company at the end of 2004 after the successful integration of Woolworths (NZ) Limited. Ted has more than 45 years experience in the retail and wholesale sector.
Ted is also the Chairman of UNITEC NZ. , a Director of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and is the President of Youthtown Inc.
Back to top ^
Gavin Clifford
Director, Charlie's Group Australia
Gavin joined the Charlie’s Group Australia Board in May 2009 following his departure from the Original Juice Company, A Division of Golden Circle Ltd.
Gavin has extensive operational and management experience in the juice industry. His most recent role was as General Manager of the Original Juice Company. His management career also included senior operational roles in Golden Circle, Convenience Foods Pty Ltd, Chubpak Pty Ltd and Southcorp Packaging Ltd.
Gavin is currently the Managing Director of Ezy Chef Pty Ltd. Ezy Chef is a startup Food Company that manufacturers 100% Puree & Mash Vegetables targeting the Aged Care and Hospital Markets.
Gavin is a member of the Australian Institute of Management and has completed a Master of Business from Monash University in Melbourne.
Back to top ^