Blue-chip experience to join Eventures board

Telecom chairman and former chief executive Dr Roderick Deane is among several "blue-chip" executives announced as directors of internet company Eventures.

The chairman of the board is Sky TV founder Craig Heatley, who launched Eventures in New Zealand in October with partners Japan's Softbank and News Corp subsidiary Epartners.

Joining him on the board are Dr Deane, who is also chairman of Fletcher Challenge and ANZ Banking Group; Stephen Tindall, the founder and managing director of The Warehouse; Robert Bryden, managing director of Todd Capital; and Steve McCollam, managing director of private investments firm McCollam Capital Partners and former managing director of McCollam Printers.

The three international directors are Mark Booth, chief executive of Epartners, former chief executive and managing director of British Sky Broadcasting, founding chief executive of MTV Europe and former chief of Australian pay-television company Foxtel; Bruce McWilliams, a partner in Epartners, former general counsel of News International and responsible for European pay-TV initiatives; and Jesse Parker, vice-president of business developments at Softbank International Ventures and a board member of Eventures India, Interliant Europe and MessageMedia Europe.

Mr Heatley said the board comprised "an outstanding mix of blue-chip business experience and dynamism."

"It represents a level of commercial acumen and strength of talent unprecedented in the New Zealand e-commerce market."

Eventures also has branches in Australia, India and Britain.

The company was set up to provide investment and development services to new and established internet businesses.

Mr Heatley said its first international internet product, e-Loan, an online lending service, would be launched in New Zealand within a few months.

- NZPA