Meet the Judges

Our Retail NZ Awards judges bring together an exceptional mix of retail leaders, industry experts and business professionals from across Aotearoa. With deep experience spanning all areas of retail and the wider business community, they provide valuable, real-world insight into what outstanding performance looks like.

Entries for each category are assessed by a selected group from our judging panel using a structured, transparent scoring process aligned to the award criteria, ensuring every submission is reviewed fairly and consistently.

We’re proud to have such a high-calibre group of judges helping us recognise and celebrate excellence across the sector.

To learn more about how entries are evaluated including the managing of any conflict of interest, read the ‘Judging criteria’ section on our FAQ page.

Belinda van Eyndhoven

Belinda van Eyndhoven

Belinda van Eyndhoven is Head of Sustainability at Westpac New Zealand, where she leads strategic initiatives across climate action, natural capital and human right – helping embed sustainability from the boardroom through to everyday banking decisions. Belinda has more than 20 years’ experience working across public policy, private consultancy and business leadership. Before joining Westpac, she held several senior roles at New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment, including Manager of Sustainability and leading the Carbon Neutral Government Programme, where she worked closely with organisations to drive system‑level change. Earlier in her career, Belinda worked with organisations such as the Sustainable Business Council, Beca and Environment Canterbury, giving her deep insight into the intersection between regulation, infrastructure and business transformation.

Award(s) judged:
Knapp Sustainability Leadership

Charlotte Sangster

Charlotte Sangster

Charlotte Sangster is a Senior Marketing Manager at Westpac New Zealand, leading consumer and business marketing initiatives, including the Retail NZ strategic business partnership. Prior to joining Westpac six years ago, she built her career in advertising in New Zealand and Ireland, working with a range of local and international retail brands including Farmers, Foodstuffs New Zealand, Spark Business Hubs, Warehouse Stationery, McDonald’s, Tesco and SuperValue. Outside of work, Charlotte is a long‑standing SPCA volunteer, having spent over eight years as both a foster parent and a member of the canine team.

Award(s) judged:
Most Improved Store

Daniel Cloete

Daniel Cloete

Daniel Cloete is the National Manager, Franchise and Business Partnerships at Westpac New Zealand, with over 20 years’ experience in banking and a strong focus on the retail and franchise sectors. He has previously owned retail businesses, giving him practical, firsthand insight into the challenges faced by retailers. Daniel has served multiple terms on the Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ) Board and was awarded Life Membership of FANZ in 2019 for his contribution to the industry. He has also written extensively on business funding and finance topics over the years. Daniel is passionate about mentoring business owners and emerging retailers.

Award(s) judged:
Online Store of the Year

Danielle Genty-Nott

Danielle Genty-Nott

Danielle Genty-Nott is General Manager – Industry Engagement at ServiceIQ, a proud sponsor of the Spark Retail NZ Awards 2026. She works with employers across Aotearoa to build skilled teams and lift customer experience. Her career spans tourism, hospitality and major events, including roles with Tourism New Zealand and Te Papa. Retail plays a key role across these sectors, and Danielle brings a strong understanding of customer expectations, commercial performance and what great service looks like in practice. When not working, Danielle happily toils in her garden in the Wairarapa, where she lives with her husband and two stepsons.

Award(s) judged:
Kora Outstanding New Talent

Dylan Weymouth

Dylan Weymouth

Dylan Weymouth is a seasoned business transformation leader with over two decades of experience driving innovation, operational excellence and customer-centric strategies in New Zealand’s retail and commercial sectors. As General Manager of Noel Leeming Commercial, a division of The Warehouse Group, Dylan leads a dynamic team delivering integrated technology, appliance and managed IT solutions across diverse industries, including education, construction and corporate enterprises. He has been instrumental in implementing agile operating models and digital transformation initiatives that have enhanced customer experiences and streamlined business operations. His leadership has been pivotal in positioning Noel Leeming Commercial as a trusted partner for organisations seeking innovative procurement and technology solutions. Dylan is passionate about fostering cross-functional collaboration, developing high-performing teams and leveraging technology to create seamless customer experiences.

Award(s) judged:
Annexa Technology Innovation

Jenny Ekpe

Jenny Ekpe

Jenny Epke has 30 years of retail experience spanning both New Zealand and the UK, so she is well positioned to know what retail excellence looks like! She has worked in senior commercial roles in both food and general merchandise and that, combined with her broader retail insights through her directorship at Retail NZ, will serve her well as a judge. Jenny recently left The Warehouse to complete further study and work on her fitness. Jenny enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the world, watching the Blues and continuously learning new things.

Award(s) judged:
Annexa Technology Innovation
Kora Outstanding New Talent

Lesley Francis-Ziogas

Lesley Francis-Ziogas

Lesley Francis-Ziogas is the CEO of Ngahuia Group, leading the retail arm of Tahua Group Ltd. The portfolio includes Number One Shoes and Hannahs, Torpedo7 and The Outlet. With over 25 years in retail, Lesley has built her career from the ground up, developing deep expertise across buying and planning, store operations, e-commerce and executive leadership. She is a commercially driven, people-first leader, known for her sharp retail instinct, pace of execution and ability to build and lead high-performing teams. She believes people are at the heart of performance and great retail outcomes, and is passionate about what it takes to win in a fast-moving environment. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travel, entertaining, running and is a loyal Warriors supporter.

Award(s) judged:
Annexa Technology Innovation
Most Improved Store

Mandy Tomlinson

Mandy Tomlinson

Mandy Tomlinson is the General Manager of Consumer Channels at Spark New Zealand, with over 18 years in retail, starting on the shop floor and working through to senior leadership. Her experience spans fashion, footwear, stationery, buy now pay later and telecommunications, across both small independents and large-scale businesses in New Zealand and internationally. She’s a strong advocate for retail as a meaningful and rewarding career, particularly for young people, and believes diverse leadership is critical to building stronger, more successful businesses. Mandy is passionate about seeing more global retailers choose New Zealand, while also backing local success stories to scale both here and internationally. Outside of work, she’s all about her family – making the most of her time with her young children.

Award(s) judged:
Service IQ Customer Service Experience of the Year

Marcus Hecht Henriksen

Marcus Hecht Henriksen

Marcus Hecht Henriksen, VP of APAC for Lobyco, is responsible for helping clients across the region identify innovative strategies to drive business growth and maximise the value of their promotional and loyalty programs. With extensive experience designing and building core retail and loyalty programs, he specialises in aligning business objectives with customer needs through data-driven insights. Marcus brings over five years of corporate strategy experience and previously worked as a management consultant at PwC/Strategy & and EY. Outside of work, he is a passionate sports fan, with a particular interest in soccer, the NBA and the NFL.

Award(s) judged:
OneMusic Best New Store Design
Online Store of the Year

Merv Rowe

Merv Rowe

Merv joined Westpac through the Graduate Intake in 1994 and apart from five years in London, has worked for Westpac since then. Over Merv’s 32 years in banking, he has worked with many retailers in accessing bank funding for their businesses, working with these businesses to achieve their growth strategies and assisting owners with their exit strategies and wealth goals post ownership. Merv is kept busy with his three children and in his spare time you are likely to find him fishing on his jet ski.

Award(s) judged:
OneMusic Best New Store Design
NZ Post Young Retailer of the Year

Michelle Stephens

Michelle Stephens

Michelle Stephens is a Senior Retail Executive with over two decades of experience in the grocery and lottery sectors. Her background in Sales & Marketing has leadership roles in retail development, loyalty marketing and category management for some of the biggest brands in New Zealand. Michelle currently leads Retail Business Development at Lotto NZ, supporting the growth of more than 1,200 Lotto stores around the country. When she’s not working, she can usually be found on the tennis court, enjoying a great coffee or giving back to the community as a Board Member for Make-A-Wish New Zealand.

Award(s) judged:
NZ Post Young Retailer of the Year
Service IQ Customer Service Experience of the Year

Renee Rowland

Renee Rowland

Renee Rowland is the Association Manager for Booksellers, a 105-year-old member-based Association that supports bookshops around New Zealand. Renee is also a Board director of The New Zealand Book Awards Trust, the Coalition for Books and Retail NZ. Renee’s background is in economics and regulatory affairs but a pivot ten years ago now sees her as the owner of two provincial bookshops in Geraldine and Timaru. Outside of work, you’ll find Renee reading a book or in the garden.

Award(s) judged:
Knapp Sustainability Leadership
Kora Outstanding New Talent

Richard Allin

Richard Allin

Richard Allin is the Director of Pushbikes, a three-store bicycle retail and e-commerce business in Christchurch he founded in 2001. With over 28 years in retail, he has hands-on experience across operations, marketing, buying and both physical and online store management. Richard sits on the board of Retail NZ, representing South Island retailers and advocating for SMEs, and has been a business mentor with Business Mentors New Zealand since 2006. Outside of work, he has a passion for bikepacking and is rarely happier than when he’s in the middle of nowhere on a gravel bike.

Award(s) judged:
Knapp Sustainability Leadership
Annexa Technology Innovation

Sam Shosanya

Sam Shosanya

Sam is an FCCA-qualified accountant and LLB (Hons) graduate with extensive retail and wholesale leadership experience across the UK and New Zealand. His career includes senior roles with Sainsbury’s Group, Whitcoulls, Life Pharmacy and Paper Plus Group, where he served as CEO for six years. He also led a wholesale business acquired by The Warehouse Group and remained on to operate it post-acquisition. His governance experience includes Board Director roles with the New Zealand Booksellers’ Association, New Zealand Retailers’ Association and United Sourcing Group. Sam is a member of the Institute of Directors NZ and the International Coaching Federation. He is the founder of Seed Business Associates, a director of Compra and Fractional GM of FrontTier.

Award(s) judged:
NZ Post Young Retailer of the Year
Online Store of the Year

Sarah Fry

Sarah Fry

Sarah Fry is the New Zealand Sales Manager for Minor Hotels, responsible for driving national sales performance and leading strategic partnerships across a portfolio of properties. With over 20 years’ experience across the accommodation and retail-facing service sector, she brings a strong commercial mindset and a proven track record in growing revenue, strengthening client relationships and navigating changing market conditions. Sarah is particularly passionate about elevating customer experience and supporting emerging talent in the industry. Outside of work, she is a keen netball player, and has a genuine interest in New Zealand’s evolving retail and hospitality landscape.

Award(s) judged:
OneMusic Best New Store Design
Service IQ Customer Service Experience of the Year

Scott McMillan

Scott McMillan

Scott McMillan has been involved in retail since childhood, and for the past 16 years has co-owned Tea Pea, an independent clothing and homewares store with two Wellington locations, alongside his wife Meg. As an SME owner, his role is wide-ranging: from running an e-commerce site and creating advertising, through to finance and accounts, to taking out the recycling. What Scott loves most is the challenge of curation, sourcing, IT and tech opportunities to create warm, memorable customer experiences. When he is away from his computer, you will find him as potentially the oldest person playing indoor cricket in New Zealand!

Award(s) judged:
Knapp Sustainability Leadership
Most Improved Store

Terms and Conditions

Eligibility:
The awards are open to all retail businesses operating within New Zealand. Entrants must be at least 18 years old.

Eligibility:
The awards are open to all retail businesses operating within New Zealand. Entrants must be at least 18 years old.

Entry Period:
Awards entry closes on 31 May 2026. Entries received after the closing date will not be considered.

How to Enter:
Complete the category entry form of your choice. Submit the form along with any required supporting documents by the closing date.

Judging Criteria:
Entries will be judged based on [Criteria, e.g., innovation, customer service, sales performance]. The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Finalists:
Finalists will be notified by email on or after 29 June 2026. Finalists will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to attend the awards dinner to be held at the Hilton in Auckland on the evening of 3 September 2026.

Publicity:
By entering, participants agree to participate in any publicity related to the awards. Winners agree to the use of their name, image and store in any promotional material.

Data Protection:
All entry information and personal data will be kept strictly confidential. Entries will have contact details removed before sharing with the judges to remove any potential bias. Entry information will be deleted at the conclusion of the awards. Data will not be shared with third parties without the entrant’s prior consent.

General:
Retail NZ reserves the right to cancel or amend the awards and these terms and conditions without notice. Any changes to the awards will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by Retail NZ. Retail NZ is not responsible for inaccurate details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with these awards.

Disclaimer:
By submitting this entry, I hereby declare that all information provided in this application is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any false or misleading information may result in disqualification from the awards. I also acknowledge that Retail NZ reserves the right to verify the information provided and to disqualify any entrant found to have submitted false or misleading information.