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Dylan Lawrence
General Manager - Investment at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Professional Background
Dylan Lawrence is a distinguished professional with a robust background in business administration and management, honed through his extensive education and leadership roles. His career has been strongly influenced by his academic journey, which includes a prestigious education from Harvard Business School, where he studied Business Administration and Management. This world-renowned institution equipped him with exceptional insights and skills crucial for effective leadership in the business sector.
Furthermore, Dylan earned his Bachelor of Law in Commerce, Management, and Finance from The University of Waikato, providing him with a solid foundation in legal frameworks and financial principles. This diverse educational background has enabled him to approach challenges in business with a multifaceted perspective, blending legal expertise with cutting-edge management strategies.
In his current role as General Manager of Investment at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Dylan plays a pivotal role in shaping investment strategies that foster economic growth and development in New Zealand. His position requires not only leadership but also a keen understanding of international markets and investment trends. Dylan's experience here has propelled him into a prominent figure within the investment community, where he actively engages with stakeholders to promote New Zealand as an attractive investment destination.
Education and Achievements
Dylan's educational journey is one marked by excellence. At Harvard Business School, he immersed himself in the study of business administration, navigating the complexities of management theory and practical application. The skills cultivated during his time there have proven invaluable, fostering innovative thinking that he applies to real-world business challenges.
The University of Waikato further added to his credentials with a Bachelor of Law in Commerce, integrating essential financial acumen and commercial understanding into his skill set. This combination of business and legal knowledge enables Dylan to analyze and mitigate risks while seizing new opportunities in investment and trade.
Dylan’s achievements reflect his commitment to professional growth and the advancement of New Zealand’s trade interests. He is renowned for implementing impactful investment strategies that align with both local and international objectives, enhancing the visibility of New Zealand in the global market.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Dylan has been recognized for his proactive approach and influential leadership style. His strategies at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise have led to significant investment influxes, helping to create jobs and stimulate economic progress throughout the country. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, leading to a strong reputation among his peers and stakeholders alike.
Overall, Dylan Lawrence exemplifies the qualities of an effective leader in the field of investment and trade. With a solid educational foundation and an impressive professional trajectory, he continues to contribute positively to the economic fabric of New Zealand. His insights and commitment to excellence ensure that he remains a key player in promoting sustainable investment and growth.
Highlights
I have just returned from the US, spending time with investors and businesses - exploring opportunities for New Zealand.
During that time I was also able to accompany the World’s first ever Minister of Space Hon Judith Collins KC MP to the world Space Symposium in Colorado, and I’ve come away inspired!
New Zealand’s space sector is a force that’s shooting for the stars. And it’s deeply rooted in research and innovation. Did you know our companies manufacture some of the planet's largest telescope lenses, unveiling the universe's deepest secrets from leading observatories worldwide? Our innovators are also revolutionising the global small satellite industry, paving the way for sustainable space travel and even testing technology to cultivate food on Mars. We posses two of the world’s five Dark Sky Sanctuaries and two International Dark Sky Reserves. Our landscapes, clear dark skies, and low air traffic levels offer unparalleled launch conditions and exceptional earth observation opportunities. We also have access to some of the most difficult to obtain orbits.
This is game-changing for testing new space technology and capturing satellite data. We proudly host the world's first fully private orbital launch site on the Mahia Peninsula, and are developing another space port at Kaitorete, capable of launch, as well as point to point and hypersonic testing. New Zealand’s success is backed by a modern, open regulatory environment and a space agency that encourages innovation as well as research and development. In 2019, our space economy was valued at NZ$1.7 billion, supporting 12,000 jobs. And we haven’t slowed down. By 2021, we signed a pioneering space treaty concerning Moon exploration and resources. And that same year, a Kiwi space company was entrusted with designing photon spacecraft for a Mars mission. New Zealand's core values of kaitiakitanga, or guardianship, extend beyond our terrestrial borders into the realm of space. We are committed to developing space technology that benefits people, the Earth, and our solar system. Our innovations include a rapidly reusable, rocket-powered space plane and a fuel-free, solar-powered satellite control and propulsion system. Internationally, we collaborate on ground-breaking research to combat climate change, reduce space debris, and gather data to enhance life on Earth. Kiwi scientists have pioneered a global methane detection program, tracking emissions worldwide and pinpointing their sources to reduce methane leaks from oil and gas operations.
Let’s also not forget our niche manufacturing sector who supply crystal oscillators, as well as 3D and machined parts into some of the largest rockets and space systems in the world. For international space investors and space players, New Zealand offers a compelling Space proposition.
And at NZTE I’m proud to say that we stand ready to play our part to accelerate New Zealand’s space economy.
#space #InvestNZ #nzte #investforgood
And that’s a wrap… just arrived back in New Zealand after finishing exploring a few US tech cities beyond the West Coast with our New Zealand Venture Capital community. (New York, Denver and Austin).
Coming away really inspired by the market, the opportunity it presents for New Zealand, the quality the partnerships we can create, the capability we have in our VC community and the brand that New Zealand as a country holds offshore.
Some high level take-aways from the experience:
- The U.S. is open and running fast. The face-to-face interactions have been of much higher quality than the traditional zoom/teams meetings we have had over the past two years.
- The United States isn’t just the West Coast. The East and Central parts of the U.S. are a real opportunity for our growth companies through a mix of access to talent, customers and lifestyle.
- In a market like the United States, the opportunities and the size of them become really apparent. We need to keep our aspiration high and be really confident in the way we come to market (If we aren’t $100m revenue within 5 years we are doing something wrong).
- We need to not try and do it all on our own, instead turning our minds towards embracing the incredible minds that sit in markets and accessing that global infrastructure, talent and ideas. Partner with the best, and in doing so, value what we bring to the table.
- Brand NZ is recognised and respected. It was incredibly powerful how we showed up in market as a collective, and how much we embraced culture to do that. It reinforces the point that storytelling is critical, we need to be memorable and lined up when we go to market.
- Finally, we were really inspired by the people within our own delegation group; we have built and forged stronger relationships with each other – Which will make us stronger for our founders and companies. Inspirational week!
Thank you to an amazing NZTE team who made this happen: Georgia Mills, CA Peter McDonald, CA Samantha Walsh Olivia Goudie Kate McLennan
#TeWakaHourua #InvestNZ #nzteinvestment #DoGoodDoWell
