Jonathan Sibley, on campus with his fox terrier Ollie.

Change continues apace at EIT’s School of Business as staff and students embrace an increasingly proactive role in networking with the Hawke’s Bay community.

Under the leadership of Rebekah Dinwoodie, the school is tightening its focus around research-informed teaching, community engagement and applied research projects aimed at benefitting the region.   

An example of the school’s evolving culture is the appointment of Dr Jonathan Sibley as research mentor and programme coordinator for EIT’s Master in Applied Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management.

Jonathan’s career has taken him to Australia, the UK and the Middle East but after many years away the ‘homing pigeon’ has returned permanently to Hawke’s Bay.  A globe-trotting lifestyle, he says, has made him all the more appreciative of what this region has to offer.

Originally from Havelock North, the former Hastings Boys’ High School student is settled on a small block at Maraekakaho where he continues to offer his services as a research consultant to organisations worldwide.

In the banking industry for 20 years, Jonathan was a senior executive with the ANZ when he decided on a change in career direction in 2001. 

Returning to New Zealand, he completed a PhD in business.  His doctorate topic investigated the extent to which bringing banking services to people in developing countries helps improve their lives and led to his involvement in a United Nations development programme.

The model, which he trialled in remote Fijian villages, has since been rolled out in other countries in the Pacific, bringing many more people into the financial system.

Jonathan has recently written a strategy and plan for research undertaken by the business school and, having secured Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment funding, he will be progressing a research project for the ministry and Business Hawke’s Bay aimed at identifying growth businesses in Hawke’s Bay, in particular small to medium enterprises.

Surveys and focus groups will be used in the research and the project will involve students and lecturers. 

 “We are also investigating the feasibility of establishing a business incubator here for young people,” Jonathan says.  “The idea has come out of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.  I attended a presentation where some of the groups of young people had good ideas but lacked access to mentoring and resources to take them further.  We think we can help them access those necessary inputs.”

EIT is also stepping up its involvement in the Westpac Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.  A category sponsor for many years, the educator is taking on a judging role for the first time.  Highly-qualified lecturers in the business and computing schools will be among the judges while Rebekah, who heads both schools, will be convenor of judges. 

Similarly, three business school staff will be judges for the Hastings Business Awards.

Rebekah says EIT gains from its involvement in such events – “the judging informs our teaching and our students benefit from that.”