Our People

BCom, DipTeach, MBS (HRM) Director - Simon Panckhurst

Simon was full of beans and naivete as a fourth form high school student. The priority then was to be an entrepreneur and make a million before turning twenty one. A sudden and humbling change in priorities soon followed.

With teaching always a temporary filler, Simon first tasted HR as an Advisor for the NZ Army in 1998 followed by a stint as the HR Manager at the Deloitte Wgtn office in 2000. HR Direction was established in Dec 2001 and relocated to Christchurch in 2004.

Simon has had articles published in the Christchurch Press, Unlimited, the Xtra Business Newsletter, NZ Business and Canterbury and Auckland Today. Simon mentors a student at Papanui High School, is a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Trust Board and is currently completing his Masters in Psychology.

Simon completed a Commerce Degree at Canterbury University (94'), Teaching Diploma at Christchurch College of Education (95'), Masters in Business Studies in HRM at Massey University (01'), a Graduate Diploma of Science in Psychology at Canterbury (06') and an honour's year in Psychology (07'). Simon's first masters thesis was a predictive validation study of the assessment selection tool Selector PA, (available on request). His current thesis is looking at youth risk and resilience and part way through a post graduate dipolma in clinical psychology.

Simon competed in athletics for fifteen years, running around in circles, but no longer able to keep up with the young fellas - he has gone off road and also enjoys surfing, yoga, mountain biking and tramping. Simon is a keen traveler having most recently toured Southern India with fiance Esther. Simon and Esther have a daughter Eadie that love to explore and push the boundaries.

BA Hon, MASenior Consultant - Marsha Jordyn-Mullins 

Marsha is currently on extended maternity as proud mum of Rosie.

  B Bus 

HR Consultant - Vivien Frodsham 

  
Viv’s career plan has always been to meet people, travel and put as many challenges in her path as possible.

After completing a Bachelor of Business Degree, Viv’s first role was HR Advisor for ECNZ (Electricity Corporation of NZ).  This gave her a great grounding in business and being based in the central North Island allowed her to pursue her love of the mountains.  After a couple of years, itchy feet and a passion for adventure put her on a plane to Canada.

Thereafter followed ten years of travelling and working while based  predominantly in the UK.  Viv has worked in various project management roles in the railway and construction industries.  She enjoyed the challenges of putting railway tenders together at midnight in China, contract negotiations with London Underground, refurbishing fashion stores in Oxford Street, cycling through Europe and living on a kibbutz in Israel.  Viv has enjoyed the variety of work and gained a greater appreciation of how people relate and the world at large.

Viv met Steve while living in the UK and over time her backpack has been superceded with a mortgage on a DIY project, a Liverpuddlian husband and a noisy toddler!  Viv loves a good book, good food, wine and conversation; but enjoys this balanced with a shot of fresh air either mountain biking, hiking or snowboarding. 

Viv and Steve have two daughters Zoe & Thea.   Viv is currently enjoying exploring the kiwi outdoors again, spending more time with family and rediscovering the joys of the long kiwi summer.   Viv works on contract on a when needed basis.

 

HR Consultant - Shane Crowhen

 Shane is the latest addition to the HR Direction team, employed as an HR Consultant. He has a background in the Social Services sector having worked for Child Youth and Family for over ten years. During this time Shane has been a Social Worker, Supervisor, Residential Advisor and Social Work Trainer.

Shane completed his undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Physical Education at Otago University where he developed a passion for sport  and exercise psychology.

While working for Child, Youth and Family Shane completed his Masters degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a particular interest in work place stress and management strategies.  Shane’s Masters also had a strong focus on recruitment and selection, examining sources of stress and coping mechanisms among professional rugby players.

Shane is a trained  CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) De-briefer and is also a trained Instructor in Non Violent Crisis Intervention, designed to assist people working with difficult and potentially violent  clients.

In his spare time Shane is involved with his community as a volunteer fireman and enjoys mountain biking, trail running, sea kayaking and snow boarding. He tries to combine his recreational pursuits with his love of travel.

When not putting out fires, Shane has a passion for helping others identify their own strengths and channelling their resources enabling them to achieve their full potential.

  "I kept six honest serving men, they taught me all I know. Their names are WHAT and WHY and WHEN and HOW and WHERE and WHO."

Rudyard Kipling