The people who make Equinox work

Grant joined Equinox in 2011 after a long career in the petroleum sector that spanned distribution logistics through to marketing. Grant managed several transformational projects in those business areas and from the mid 1990’s became increasingly involved with business analysis and business process optimisation. This led Grant into assignments that expanded into regional and latterly global business optimisation.

Along the way Grant has had extensive experience with ERP implementations, CRM products, Card systems and KPI dashboards that have all delivered tangible business results.

Grant is still searching for an optimum process that would allow him to combine his passion for motorcycles and fishing. Something that remains a challenge!

Equinox Start Date: 05/04/2011

Career Start Date: 1977

IT Career Start Date: 1986

Ben joined the Equinox technical consulting team in August 2009 as a trainee performance test specialist. Ben has strong functional and technical testing background, and has most recently been working as a test consultant in a major government department and in the banking industry.

Ben’s main passion is mixing drum and bass music, where he spends as much time as possible with his laptop and turntables. He is also into motorcycles, cricket and in the summer he plays Gaelic football!

Equinox Start Date: 24/08/2009

Clive started his career in 1972 as an engineer and after a few years, joined IBM in the UK. In addition to his extensive experience in software and network technology, system management tools, performance testing and capacity planning, Clive has also been involved with a wide range of system architecture and design studies. Clive is now a member of our Performance Egineering Practice. As well as being a competitive petanque player, Clive likes the outdoors and a good game of squash!

Equinox Start Date: 19/09/2005

Career Start Date: 03/01/1972

Neil joined our Auckland team in January 2007 where he is a member of our Performance Engineering Practice.

Neil started his career as a Technical Manager responsible for the design, modelling and manufacture of yacht sails. He then moved into more traditional consulting roles both as a database administrator and developer. Building on his background in infrastructure and development, Neil has extensive troubleshooting and performance tuning experience, and has more recently specialised in SAN and storage system solutions.

In his spare time Neil likes being outdoors, photography and watching movies in his home theatre. He would one day like to live in Italy but as long as he still has access to his favourite New Zealand wines! Neil is a proud dad to a small son and a baby daughter!

Equinox Start Date: 15/01/2007

Career Start Date: 01/01/1990

With a science degree from Cambridge University, Richard had an ideal apprenticeship in the rough and tumble of the largest U.K. software houses, before coming to his senses and emigrating to New Zealand.

At Equinox, Richard has developed specialist capability in software architecture and implementing complex integration, load and regression test strategies for architecturally significant systems. Richard has also been known to do battle with his skill saw and mountain bike - on these occasions has come off second best.

Equinox Start Date: 19/04/1995

Career Start Date: 01/10/1980

Originally from the UK, Anthony has an extensive background in IT Business Analysis, and Project and Software Development Management. More recently Anthony’s passion for managing high quality projects has seen him lead the introduction of Agile development principles in a number of organisations, in both in the UK and in New Zealand and he is a founder member and treasurer of the Agile Professionals Network (APN) Wellington Chapter.

While outside of work, West Ham supporter Anthony, makes the most of the New Zealand lifestyle and gets in as much time cycling, cross country running, windsurfing and canoeing that his two kiddies, Darcie and Owen, and house renovations will allow.

A big contributor at Equinox, Craig gets involved with all aspects of company activity. He has a Database, software development, requirements management and business analysis background. Given his age, Craig is now highly involved in Presidents and Golden Oldies Rugby - when he is not attending games and tournaments you will probably find Craig analysing the requirements of the game from the sideline.

Equinox Start Date: 15/04/1996

Career Start Date: 01/03/1980

John joined Equinox in September 2006 as a member of our Business Analysis Practice. John started in the banking industry as a proof machine operator and worked in a number of different roles before becoming a business analyst. As John has moved into a leadership position he has also had responsibility for project governance, quality control and the IT project office.

John enjoys playing soccer, running around with his kids and is also a fluent Spanish speaker having been brought up in South America.

Equinox Start Date: 18/09/2006

Career Start Date: 27/06/1988

John joined the Business Modelling and Requirements team in February 2009 from a Wellington-based business & IT consulting company where he was a senior consultant.

John has over 22 years experience in the information technology industry, specialising in business process design, business analysis and project management. John started his career as an accountant, working overseas and then in New Zealand, before becoming a consultant.

John leads an active lifestyle and enjoys mountain biking, tramping and sailing, as well as home DIY projects and photography.

Equinox Start Date: 02/02/2009

Robin claims his experiences from 20-plus years as an IT practitioner, rather than an inability to complete paintings during the daily commute, is the cause for a slight hair loss and slow change in colour. His excellent business analysis and software requirements management skills are used by Equinox to provide valued business analysis, software requirements management and IT strategy planning services to clients.

Equinox Start Date: 05/06/2001

Career Start Date: 01/05/1973

Ross joined our Auckland team in January 2006. He started his career as an analyst programmer and database administrator, and has progressively moved into a variety of technical leadership roles. Building on this development background, Ross has extensive experience across all areas of requirements analysis, project management and team leadership. He has been involved in a wide range of projects from concept to completion.

Ross has a diverse range of interests which include ballroom dancing, learning Mandarin for his upcoming trip to China and spending time with his family. Ross is also a keen photographer and at one time or another, his wedding photography skills were in hot demand!

Equinox Start Date: 23/01/2006

Career Start Date: 08/12/1983

Wayne started his IT career (after valves, during transistors and before chips) as an IBM sys prog. While it's tempting to leave this page "intentionally blank for formatting purposes" in true IBM (circa 1980) fashion - we won't. Wayne has added account management, technical management, business modelling and process improvement to his credentials over the past decade and now his focus is on senior consulting roles. Wayne is keen boatie and enjoys a good game of golf.

Equinox Start Date: 15/01/2001

Career Start Date: 01/01/1974

Willy is a Business Analyst and has a wide range of skills and experiences in the IT industry (as a Data Analyst, Test Analyst and Project Manager) and more recently has been up to his eyebrows in requirements elicitation. He describes himself as family man who used to play volleyball and still enjoys hockey.

Equinox Start Date: 15/01/2001

Career Start Date: 01/12/1987

Anna joined Equinox in September 2010 as a Technical Project Manager following a career as a Software Developer and Technical Team Lead in a number of Public and Private sector organisations in New Zealand.

During her career Anna has developed a strong interest in Agile software development methodologies such as Extreme Programming and Test-Driven Development and has worked to help implement Agile processes in a number of the organisations where she has worked.

Outside of work Anna belongs to a book club, enjoys running and doing Yoga, spending time with her cat and her dog and making her own clothes.

Bob joined Equinox as a Usability and Interactive Designer from a major New Zealand bank where he was an Interaction Designer, and worked on a number of major systems including their intranet, website and online banking service.

Building on a background in film, photography and graphic design, Bob has spent the last 15 years helping make software usable. He has worked on a wide range of web-based applications and sites, point of sale touch screen applications and mobile phone text services.

Outside of work Bob loves spending time with his young daughter, he also enjoys cooking, and if there is a motor of some sort involved you might find Bob mowing the lawns and building or fixing things around the farm!

Equinox Start Date: 12/11/2007

Jimmy saw the light and in February 2008 rejoined Equinox after a year away in the United Kingdom working in software development. He had previously worked at Equinox for a year and a half as a member of the Software Architecture and Development team.

Jimmy is an experienced Java developer having worked on a number of different Java development projects at Equinox, as well as in his previous position in the banking industry. He also has a keen interest in Project Management. Jimmy has now moved into a new role as Software Development Manager.

Jimmy leads a very active lifestyle and you will regularly see him cycling, running, swimming, kayaking, or racing up mountains. Before joining the exciting world of IT Jimmy travelled around the world as a professional whitewater rafting guide! Jimmy is also a proud Dad to two little girls.

Equinox Start Date: 30/05/2005

Career Start Date: 01/01/1999

Kevin joined our Software Development Practice in October 2008. He came to Equinox from a Wellington-based software solutions company where he was working as a .NET development team lead.

Kevin started his career as a tester on the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) Drivers License Project before moving into development.

As well as tropical fish keeping, Kevin is a real home handyman - he enjoys gardening and landscaping, and has spent the past few years renovating the family home (this of course is a work in progress!). Kevin also has a wife and two small children who keep him on his toes!

Equinox Start Date: 22/10/2008

Lee also joined Equinox from the United Kingdom in early 2006 where he was quality assurance manager with a private-owned publishing company.

Lee has worked for a wide range of organisations as both a contractor and a permanent employee, and has extensive experience in the banking and financial sector.

Lee is a highly experienced software testing and quality assurance specialist with a solid development background. Lee is kept busy at home spending time with his wife and young son.

Equinox Start Date: 27/02/2006

Career Start Date: 01/01/1977

Linda joined Equinox in 2003 after taking a four year break from the IT industry to spend time with her two children. Linda has a strong software design and development background, from mainframes to client server and now to current technologies.

At Equinox, Linda is focusing on supporting and developing a full range of systems from website to portals and occasional client server applications.

Spare time is a rarity for Linda, however her interests include gardening, cooking and entertaining.

Equinox Start Date: 18/07/2003

Career Start Date: 01/01/1980

Martin moved to New Zealand in 2005 and spent his first two years here riding on the fact that England were rugby world champions. Knowing that this couldn't last, he switched his allegiance to the All Blacks in 2007. He is considering moving to South Africa, Switzerland or Australia if things don't improve in the next few years.

Martin specializes in Configuration Management practices and processes and has managed several large-scale implementations of source code control, change management and build management systems. More recently he has moved into a development role, contributing to systems using .NET, Java and Adobe technologies.

When not playing with code or trying to figure out who is going to be the next world champion of rugby, sailing or netball, Martin likes snowboarding, sailing, kayaking, photography, travelling and brunch! Martin is now a proud dad to a baby son!

Equinox Start Date: 27/06/2005

Career Start Date: 04/10/1999

Matthew joined us from the United Kingdom in March 2008 where his most recent role was as a software developer and project engineer primarily in a Java development environment.

Matthew has worked across the software development lifecycle on a number of projects from the initial bid through to implementation and support.

Outside of work Matthew is a keen sportsman with a particular interest in volleyball. He also enjoys spending time in his newly built house with his wife and two young children.

Equinox Start Date: 31/03/2008

A long serving member of Equinox, Mike has been with the company since 1997. Mike held technical and systems programming roles before moving to applications development as an Analyst Programmer. He is now a member of our Software Development Practice.

Thoroughly enjoying parenthood, the call of the sports fields are now far away.

Equinox Start Date: 10/11/1997

Career Start Date: 01/09/1987

An Equinox original, Nev is a highly experienced Software Architect with well earned credentials in all aspects of the software development lifecycle.

His strengths include being able to critically analyse and understand business and technical requirements and come up with the right solution(s).

He has a practical "make it happen" attitude and Nev is also an expert 'do-it-yourselfer' from homebrew to house building.

Equinox Start Date: 24/04/1995

Career Start Date: 01/01/1977

Simon joined Equinox in August 2008 from South Africa where his most recent role was as a senior IT specialist and architect with IBM.

Simon started his career as a systems developer with a national point-of-sale retailer, before moving into a variety of technical and architectural roles. He has extensive experience in software development, support and technical communication.

When he is not spending time with his wife and small daughter, Simon’s main hobby is music. He plays the electric guitar and has way too much music equipment. Simon also enjoys tramping, squash, climbing, scuba diving and travel.

Equinox Start Date: 07/08/2008

Valerie began her career with Equinox as a Systems and Network Administrator and has extensive knowledge of Microsoft Server, Workstation, Exchange, Firewall and Desktop technologies. More recently Val has extended her capabilities in performance testing, including defect management, load and stress testing and test automation. Val has a strong ability to learn new technologies, demonstrating this in her career progression to Consultant in the Testing Services area of Equinox. In her spare time Val is kept busy being a mum to three young children!

Equinox Start Date: 01/02/1999

Career Start Date: 01/01/1990

Bill has over 20 years experience in the IT industry primarily in the architecture and software development area.

He has held positions such as enterprise architect, senior developer, team leader, and manager of software development teams. In these roles Bill has had experience in applying several software engineering methodologies to ensure quality results.

Bill is a family man and a bit of an astronomy buff!

Equinox Start Date: 01/05/2000

Career Start Date: 01/05/1985

Kosta joined our Software Development Practice in May 2008. Before he joined Equinox, Kosta’s most recent role was as an Application Architect developing enterprise IT strategies and implementing Microsoft-based solutions.

Kosta started his career developing computer-based training before becoming a Microsoft developer. He has worked with a number of major government organisations.

Kosta enjoys fine wine and food and likes to spend his holidays travelling around NZ wine regions - Martinborough, Marlborough , Nelson, Hawkes Bay and Waiheke Island . He likes tramping and walking (particularly the Abel Tasman National Park ), although now as a father of two young boys he has been reduced to walking around Wellington ! On a nice day you might spot Kosta somewhere in Wellington ’s bush with his little one in the backpack and towing his toddler!

Equinox Start Date: 12/05/2008

Re-joining Equinox in 2004, Matt is senior consultant in our Auckland team. He has over 20 years experience in the IT industry with experience spanning business analysis, technical analysis, enterprise architecture and client/server consulting. He has an active interest in both the application development and systems/networking facets of information technology. In his free time, Matt lives an active lifestyle and enjoys being in the great outdoors. He is a keen tramper and makes the most of New Zealand's great natural resources!

Equinox Start Date: 15/11/2004

Career Start Date: 04/02/1980

Raghu moved to Wellington to join Equinox from India in January 2008. He has several years of IT experience in India and USA, working with major clients from telecom and financial domains. He has extensive experience as a technical architect for several enterprise-wide projects involving technologies such as J2EE, CORBA, SOA and EAI.

Raghu has a Doctorate in Computer Sc. & Engg. from the Indian Institute of Technology (Chennai, India) and is a Sun Certified Enterprise Architect.

Raghu is a flutist trained in South Indian style Carnatic music and is an avid lover of classical music, be it Eastern or Western. As well as getting to know Wellington, Raghu uses his spare time to practice his flute lessons, provided his small daughter ever allows him to do so!

Equinox Start Date: 24/01/2008

Career Start Date: 31/08/1991

Adam joined the Equinox Systems & Technology Group in April 2010 as our Junior Systems Administrator. Over the previous few years while studying, Adam has held a number of part-time IT and hospitality related jobs.

Adam has just moved to Wellington from Christchurch to begin his career at Equinox. He has a strong interest in networks and systems and has completed a Diploma of Computer Systems and Network Administration with Distinction from Electec College of Technology. Adam is also a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator and a CompTIA A+ Certified IT Technician.

Other than settling in to the Wellington way of life, Adam enjoys spending time with friends, family and his cat, music and movies, going to the gym and playing squash.

Equinox Start Date: 26/04/2010

Deane was reading and writing machine code before he left kindergarten. He has designed and written systems from spell checkers to transaction servers. Deane has strong technology and software architecture skills and is often used by Equinox clients to solve complex issues at operating system, environmental database or development language level.  In recent years, Deane has extended his software architecture, software performance troubleshooting and security/authentication skills to advanced levels.  On the rare occasions he is unplugged, you'll find Deane up to his waist in mud, wrestling with his Bighorn. Deane is also a keen surfer and a proud father to two little girls.

Equinox Start Date: 28/08/2000

Career Start Date: 05/03/1992

Alice joined us in July 2006 as the "face of Equinox". Her experience to date has been mainly in retail. She has a passion for providing excellent customer service and joins Equinox's administration team in the reception role, to provide a welcoming face and helpful voice to our visitors and callers.

In her spare time, she's a bit of a movie buff, enjoys Italian food and is also interested in travel.

Equinox Start Date: 17/07/2006

Career Start Date: 01/01/2002

Brendon rejoined Equinox in May 2006 to take on the role of Manager, Equinox Learning. His prior position at Equinox was as an Associate back in 2000 where he undertook a requirements management consulting assignment. Brendon brings to us a wealth of experience, achieving a Master of Business Administration with Distinction as well as being a highly competent business analyst and project manager. Away from the office Brendon is kept very busy with the demands of a cat, a wife, a small daughter and son!

Equinox Start Date: 01/03/2000

Career Start Date: 01/05/1993

As National Administration Manager and keeper of the culture, Candi ensures our consultants are well supported back at home base. Candi enjoys warm sunny weather, being at home on the land and spending time with her family including two cats and three Bull Mastiff dogs!

Equinox Start Date: 02/09/1996

Career Start Date: 01/01/1976

Ed started with Equinox in April 2010 as our Business Development Manager – Training. He joined us from a local recruitment company where he was a Client Manager in the ICT team. Ed has strong relationship management and business development experience and before moving to New Zealand from the UK, spent a number of years working in the IT product industry.In his spare time, Ed enjoys cycling, spending time with his family, and trying to modernise his house!

Equinox Start Date: 21/04/2010

Career Start Date: 01/07/1999

Never short of an opinion - or "an iteration" of someone else's - Paul has a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be tapped by others. His project management and consulting skills are always in demand.

Equinox Start Date: 01/04/1995

Career Start Date: 01/01/1984

As Managing Director and a co-founder of Equinox, Roger provides a solid foundation from which Equinox provides its services. A background in technology, consulting, account management and company management, nowadays Roger can often be found out on his land digging holes, cutting down trees, chopping, mowing, chainsawing and riding around on diggers!

Equinox Start Date: 01/04/1995

Career Start Date: 01/01/1973

Neil Gray joined Equinox as the Performance Engineering Practice Director in February 2011 after a long history with Equinox in a number of capacities including being a business partner, a client, an associate and an advisor.

During the 1990s Neil owned and managed niche testing company Software 9000. After Software 9000 was acquired by Rational Software, Neil became Rational's New Zealand Country Manager, where he worked closely with Equinox around the Rational Unified Process and Rational product set. The relationship led to Equinox becoming the first Rational Consulting partner in New Zealand.

Over a number of years Neil has continued to work closely with Equinox, helping to establish our training business, assisting with the development of testing services, and working with Equinox as an associate on performance engineering assignments.

Equinox Start Date: 06/01/2003

Career Start Date: 04/01/1982