Latest news with #CallumRoss
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
2025 Pan Pac Hawke's Bay Business Awards Launch - Awards A Strategic Tool To Drive Business Growth
The search is on for Hawke's Bay's best businesses, with the launch of the 2025 Pan Pac Hawke's Bay Business Awards last night (Thursday June 12). The awards are an opportunity for businesses to gain valuable insight and expert advice in a tough trading climate. Callum Ross, director of RossAI, says entering the awards last year helped the sustainable tech developer clarify its strategy and identify new areas for growth. 'If you're serious about growing your business, the awards are more than just a trophy; they're a strategic tool. The process helps you tell your story better, build your brand, and benchmark yourself against others leading in your field.' RossAI won the Excellence in Sustainability Award last year, which gave the business national credibility, local recognition and opened doors to new partnerships, Callum says. Wairoa's civil construction firm Quality Roading and Services took home the award for Outstanding Social Impact last year. Chief executive Jeremy Harker says the awards are a valuable opportunity to get objective feedback for your business, regardless of its size or stage. 'And in tougher times, it's good to get your brand out there, so people know you and understand what you're about.' Businesses can enter multiple categories, including two new additions: Outstanding Māori or Pasifika Business and Best Micro Business. The other categories are: Best Emerging Business, Outstanding Social Impact, Excellence in Business and People's Choice. The Supreme Winner will be chosen from among the winners of Outstanding Social Impact, Best Emerging Business, Excellence in Business and Outstanding Māori or Pasifika Business. Winners are announced at a formal dinner in November. The Supreme Winner receives an exclusive mentoring day in Auckland and a $500 flight voucher, both sponsored by Air New Zealand. This one-of-a-kind experience includes direct engagement with up to three Air New Zealand stakeholders, offering valuable insights and connections to help propel future business growth. Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Karla Lee says it is proud to support business growth and celebrate excellence through the awards, particularly given current challenging economic conditions. 'We strongly urge businesses to enter the awards. The process will help them understand their business better, receive expert advice, enhance team engagement and – ultimately - drive financial success.' Entries opened last night at the launch event at the Blyth Performing Arts Centre.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Resilience Fund Wraps Up After Supporting Over 360 Hawke's Bay Businesses
Press Release – Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. A special 18-month fund supporting Hawke's Bay businesses wraps up this month, with over 360 local businesses having accessed tailored support, training, and resources through the Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme. The Resilience Fund – originally launched as the Hawke's Bay Cyclone Recovery Fund – was secured and delivered by the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. By working with many local training providers, the programme helped strengthen regional networks and ensured the benefits of the funding remained within Hawke's Bay. Callum Ross founder of RossAi utilised the resilience fund for training in areas of strategy and planning. He explained 'The training gave us practical insights into building operational resilience and highlighted key areas to strengthen around governance, communications, and technology' Callum added 'It helped us better align our services with the recovery needs of local businesses and councils…the training also connected us with a wider network of support agencies and mentors, which has been invaluable as we scale our response and build future-ready solutions.' Training demand was especially high in areas such as marketing and business planning, with businesses from Waipukurau through to Wairoa making use of the fund. 'We worked hard to secure this funding as we know how hard the region was hit after the cyclone, and we wanted to support our local business community as much as possible. This funding has made a real difference for small businesses across the region,' said Karla Lee, CEO of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. 'We've really valued working alongside business owners- connecting them with training and advice that's helped them recover, build resilience, and grow.' The Chamber continues to be the region's delivery partner for the Regional Business Partner (RBP) network. In this role, the Chamber supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing access to government-funded resources, expert advice, and capability development services. Small business owners are encouraged to register for support and explore the original and ongoing available funding opportunities (eligibility criteria apply). Learn more at
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Resilience Fund Wraps Up After Supporting Over 360 Hawke's Bay Businesses
Press Release – Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. A special 18-month fund supporting Hawke's Bay businesses wraps up this month, with over 360 local businesses having accessed tailored support, training, and resources through the Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme. The Resilience Fund – originally launched as the Hawke's Bay Cyclone Recovery Fund – was secured and delivered by the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. By working with many local training providers, the programme helped strengthen regional networks and ensured the benefits of the funding remained within Hawke's Bay. Callum Ross founder of RossAi utilised the resilience fund for training in areas of strategy and planning. He explained 'The training gave us practical insights into building operational resilience and highlighted key areas to strengthen around governance, communications, and technology' Callum added 'It helped us better align our services with the recovery needs of local businesses and councils…the training also connected us with a wider network of support agencies and mentors, which has been invaluable as we scale our response and build future-ready solutions.' Training demand was especially high in areas such as marketing and business planning, with businesses from Waipukurau through to Wairoa making use of the fund. 'We worked hard to secure this funding as we know how hard the region was hit after the cyclone, and we wanted to support our local business community as much as possible. This funding has made a real difference for small businesses across the region,' said Karla Lee, CEO of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. 'We've really valued working alongside business owners- connecting them with training and advice that's helped them recover, build resilience, and grow.' The Chamber continues to be the region's delivery partner for the Regional Business Partner (RBP) network. In this role, the Chamber supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing access to government-funded resources, expert advice, and capability development services. Small business owners are encouraged to register for support and explore the original and ongoing available funding opportunities (eligibility criteria apply). Learn more at
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Resilience Fund Wraps Up After Supporting Over 360 Hawke's Bay Businesses
A special 18-month fund supporting Hawke's Bay businesses wraps up this month, with over 360 local businesses having accessed tailored support, training, and resources through the Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme. The Resilience Fund - originally launched as the Hawke's Bay Cyclone Recovery Fund - was secured and delivered by the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. The fund expanded on the existing RBP services to help businesses hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, connecting them with training providers for targeted support focused on well-being, financial planning and long-term business resilience. By working with many local training providers, the programme helped strengthen regional networks and ensured the benefits of the funding remained within Hawke's Bay. Callum Ross founder of RossAi utilised the resilience fund for training in areas of strategy and planning. He explained 'The training gave us practical insights into building operational resilience and highlighted key areas to strengthen around governance, communications, and technology' Callum added 'It helped us better align our services with the recovery needs of local businesses and councils…the training also connected us with a wider network of support agencies and mentors, which has been invaluable as we scale our response and build future-ready solutions.' Training demand was especially high in areas such as marketing and business planning, with businesses from Waipukurau through to Wairoa making use of the fund. 'We worked hard to secure this funding as we know how hard the region was hit after the cyclone, and we wanted to support our local business community as much as possible. This funding has made a real difference for small businesses across the region,' said Karla Lee, CEO of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. 'We've really valued working alongside business owners- connecting them with training and advice that's helped them recover, build resilience, and grow.' The Chamber continues to be the region's delivery partner for the Regional Business Partner (RBP) network. In this role, the Chamber supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing access to government-funded resources, expert advice, and capability development services. Small business owners are encouraged to register for support and explore the original and ongoing available funding opportunities (eligibility criteria apply). Learn more at
