NZTE appoints new Export leader

New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, the government's international business development agency, has appointed Craig Hudson to its leadership team.

Mr Hudson will become NZTE's General Manager, Export Customers from February next year. In this role, he will lead a team of more than 80 Customer Managers, who provide focussed support for 1400 export companies and light-touch support for a further 5000 companies.

Mr Hudson has been Managing Director of Xero since 2017. Xero is a New Zealand-based technology company, providing cloud-based accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses.

The Chief Executive of NZTE, Pete Chrisp said: "We warmly welcome Craig to our team. With his passion for creating an impact for Aotearoa, wealth of domestic and international experience, authentic leadership and culture building expertise, we know he will be a great leader for our Export Customer team. He will also be providing leadership across NZTE and NZ Inc (other government agencies supporting the business sector)."

Mr Hudson said: "Over the past five and a half years leading Xero in New Zealand it has been more than a job. I am deeply passionate about the success of scaling New Zealand businesses and what that means for Aotearoa's prosperity. This role is a real continuation of that passion and I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

"My career, both sporting and business, has taken me all over the world, and I have had the pleasure of working closely with NZTE in my previous role and seen the impact the organisation can have. I am excited to join the cause of growing companies internationally for the good of New Zealand."