Making their Monarch

We pay homage to the homeland and profile outstanding Kiwi businesswomen rising to great heights in the United Kingdom

It has been said that the British market is easier to break into than the US. Why? There are several reasons. Firstly, the US has much stricter visa requirements that mean young professionals now face a much tougher time getting permission to live and work in the country. Secondly, Kiwis have an affinity to the British. Being seen as a brother under the Commonwealth gives us an advantage over many other nations.
Thirdly, English is why New Zealanders can succeed in Britain. We can exist in one language, and apart from Australia, there is no other country where residency is comparatively easy to obtain.
Here we profile four Kiwi businesswomen who have achieved great success in their chosen fields in the UK...

Judith Hanratty
Chair / Chairperson of the Commonwealth Education Trust

When did you first move to the UK? 
I came to live permanently mid-1986.
What attracted you to move?
I was invited by BP to take up a position in the London head office initially as the Deputy Company Secretary.
Throughout the time you have been there, how much would you estimate you have contributed to the British economy?
BP is one of the largest companies in the UK (and indeed internationally) and therefore as an executive of that company I made an indirect but meaningful contribution to the UK economy. In addition, I have held a number of public offices in the UK, for example, as a member of the Competition Commission; the Take Over Panel; and the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority.
What was your first residence?
A flat in Chelsea in central London that I still occupy.
How often do you return to New Zealand?
Every year for about four to six weeks.
If you could introduce one uniquely ‘Kiwi’ aspect to the UK, what would it be? Lifestyle and the overall quality of the living environment.

Dale Murray
Entrepreneur & Angel Investor
British Angel Investor of the Year 2011

When did you first move to the UK?
In 1995 - almost 18 years ago!
What attracted you to move?
Like many New Zealanders, a couple of years of "OE" sounded appealing. I thought - if I don't do it now I never will, so off I headed.
What was your first job in the UK?
I worked briefly at the BBC and that led to a job at the media giant Pearson - a major book and newspaper publisher, and at the time a television production company as well.
Throughout the time you have been there, how much would you estimate you have contributed to the British economy?
My (Kiwi) husband, my (Kiwi) brother-in-law and I started a company in 1999 that launched mobile phone top-ups and within five years we were selling £450 million of top-ups a year. I have to say, it took me a while to grasp just how big the opportunity is in Great Britain - I'd be thinking about getting 100,000 customers and the mobile networks would be saying - no, you need to build your systems for 10, 20... 40 million customers!
How long before you returned to New Zealand after first moving?
We returned to New Zealand to get married after a couple of years of being in London.
How often do you return?
It's erratic. We returned three times in three years for weddings at one point, but more recently we went five years without a visit as we have three young children. We did spend a month in NZ last Christmas and my whole family was enchanted. My (very British) little boys now take turns to enquire as to why we're not living in New Zealand.
If you could introduce one uniquely 'Kiwi' aspect to the UK, what would it be?
I think it's the "can do" attitude. After almost two decades spent in London, I do see that Kiwis tend not to see reasons why they can't do something - they just forge ahead assuming that they can do it. Anthropologists may put it down to our colonial heritage - I don't know about that but I do know that Kiwis tend to work hard and have great positive mental attitudes.

Holly Knill
Product Director, Sky Go
BSkyB, London

When did you first move to the UK?
1996. I was lucky enough to secure a transfer to London with a company, I had only been with them in Auckland for eight months prior to that. Their London office was looking for people who knew something about (and I quote) ‘the Internet and Telecoms stuff’.
I returned to NZ at the end of 1998 to do a post-grad for a year and left again mid-2006.
What attracted you to move?
The first time, for the adventure, culture, history and travel opportunities. My move in 2006 was prompted by the desire to take advantage of the burgeoning OTT video industry that simply didn’t exist in NZ at the time.
What was your first job in the UK?
In 1996 – Conference producer and Writer
In 2006 – Director of Content Strategy and Acquisition at Joost (the online TV start-up from the founders of KaaZaa and Skype)
Throughout the time you have been there, how much would you estimate you have contributed to the British economy?
Joost was one of the pioneers in OTT TV services that paved the way for the likes of the iPlayer, 4oD and Sky Go. The disruptive business models, content deal terms and entrepreneurial spirit we lived and breathed from six-seven years ago are deemed the norm today. Product Development people in the TV industry were out of sight and mind seven years ago; yet sit front and centre today.
What was your first residence?
I’ve lived in almost every direction in London within Zone 2. I started in Clapham and currently live in my own place in Queens Park. Both have open space, good bars and handy transportation.
How often do you return?
I aspire to get back once a year (or close to it). It’s also influenced by weather, visitors to London and product launches (which I try to not schedule when I want to be on the other side of the planet).
If you could introduce one uniquely ‘Kiwi’ aspect to the UK, what would it be?
Just sort it out and do it. As New Zealanders, we take our ‘no.8 wire’ mentality for granted, but it’s an asset that delivers tremendous value far beyond our borders.

Holly's top tips for doing business in the UK

1. Be patient: You won't get a yes or no at the first meeting, and probably not the fourth either
2. Work with the hierarchy: Give your client or contact the material they need to look good to their boss (this is why patience is required)
3. Listen first, speak second: It's not only a mark of respect but allows you to humour those who want to talk about themselves. They will instinctively feel that you're more interesting for it.
4. Be concise: Know the three points you need to get across and don't deviate. Aim to give people time back in their day
5. If in doubt, err towards the formal

Katherine Corich
Founder and Director of the Sysdoc Group

When did you first move to the UK?
2006
What attracted you to move?
Necessity – our (Sysdoc group) UK General Manager was leaving and we needed to re-locate to meet our clients and work with staff until we were able to appoint a new one. Our intention was to go for just one year, however seven years later we are loving the opportunity we have to keep our feet and hearts in both countries.   
What was your first job in the UK?
CEO Sysdoc UK. We now have a fantastic UK based CEO, Clare Hill, so I have moved back into a global role.
Throughout the time you have been there, how much would you estimate you have contributed to the British economy?
We enjoy continual growth (over 40% last year) and employ many new staff  every year. Many of our key customers are contributing in massive ways to the British economy, for example Jaguar Land Rover, which achieved the all-time British exports, is a customer, as are McLaren, Vodafone and the Elsevier group. The work which we do enables them to grow, manufacture and export, so indirectly our contribution is significant. We feel very privileged to be part of the transformation journey of such wonderful customers, who are leading Britain out of the recession.
What was your first residence?
A converted barn in the Oxfordshire countryside. We lived there for five years until moving to our current home, a beautiful country house in a village in the Chilterns.
How long before you returned to New Zealand after first moving?
Six months
How often do you return?
Three to four times a year.
If you could introduce one uniquely ‘Kiwi’ aspect to the UK, what would it be?
Our deep blue sky and empty sandy beaches that go on forever.

Katherine's top tips for doing business in the UK

1. Act local, think global
2. Network, network, network
3. Over-deliver and delight your customers
4. Give back to the communities in which you live and work
5. Always thank people for their help