Introducing Russell: A Journey from Orchard to Innovation

franktim — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:19:07 +0000

Born in Clyde, New Zealand, I spent my childhood on a picturesque fruit orchard near Alexandra—an idyllic setting that nurtured my love for nature and hard work. My educational journey began with a Bachelor of Horticultural Science from Massey University, which laid the foundation for my passion for the environment and sustainability. Eager to broaden my horizons, I pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, diving into the worlds of business, accounting, marketing, and law.

A New Chapter with Deloitte

In 1999, Deloitte recognized the potential in the mid-market sector and acquired Zero One, prompting a family move to Christchurch. It was here that I encountered Enterprise Reporting from a Scandinavian firm, enhancing my expertise in reporting and budgeting solutions. However, my time at Deloitte concluded in 2003 due to conflicting interests after Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software. This transition led to the creation of Turtle Bay, a new venture in Christchurch specializing in Microsoft Dynamics GP, FRx reporting, and Enterprise Reporting.

Merging for Success

The journey continued with Turtle Bay’s merger with Olympic Software in 2005, a partnership that thrived until 2023. During my time at Olympic, I navigated the acquisition of Enterprise Reporting by Microsoft and championed the adoption of Solver BI360 from 2011 onwards, contributing significantly to its success. The transition to Solver BI360’s Cloud version in 2019 marked another significant advancement in my career, fueling my enthusiasm for the ongoing evolution of technology.

Returning to My Roots

In August 2023, following changes in ownership at Olympic, Turtle Bay was revitalized, emerging as a prominent BI360and Solver Cloud partner specializing in sales, implementations, and support. Returning to Central Otago, where my family’s history dates back to the gold mining era of the 1860s, I rediscovered my roots amidst its breathtaking landscapes and distinct seasons.

Life Beyond Work

Outside of work, I embrace the beauty of Central Otago through various activities. Whether trekking scenic trails, fly fishing in serene rivers, riding my motorbike, skiing in the winter, or tending to my year-round vegetable gardens in two greenhouses, I find joy in every season. Cooking and entertaining guests are also passions of mine, as I love sharing the fruits of my labor with friends and family.

As I continue this exciting chapter with Turtle Bay, I look forward to leveraging my experience to help businesses thrive through innovative reporting and budgeting solutions.

Here’s to new beginnings and the journey ahead!

Introducing Robyn: A Career Built on Curiosity, Capability, and Connection

franktim — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:19:07 +0000

Born in New Plymouth and raised near Palmerston North as the youngest of five, I grew up with a natural enjoyment of learning. I was academically strong and quietly competitive, often pushing myself to fully understand a problem and keep going until I found a solution. Those early tendencies became the thread that carried through my professional life.

Early Career and Foundation

After completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Information Systems and Accounting Studies, I began my career at age 19 when Russell Weaver employed me as the administrator for a small software company. It didn’t take long before I moved into consulting, where I became a software consultant working across systems, finance, and implementation.

What started as an entry role grew into a substantial consulting career that spanned well over a decade. I worked in software consulting until 2008, progressing into senior roles with Deloitte and Olympic. Despite time spent in other industries later on, I found that the knowledge I developed during those years remained strong and fully intact.

Entrepreneurship and Broad Business Experience

After having children, I stepped into entrepreneurship, launching my own online retail and distribution business specialising in baby products. Alongside this, our family purchased an avocado orchard in the Bay of Plenty.

Running these businesses meant handling every aspect of operations — finance, sales, customer service, supply chain, distribution, marketing, and day-to-day management. It gave me a practical, hands-on understanding of how businesses function as a whole, complementing the technical knowledge I had gained through consulting.

When my eldest turned ten, I transitioned into mortgage advising, applying my financial background in a regulated, client-focused environment. Later, I worked for a manufacturing firm, adding further practical experience and refreshing my Excel skills in another corner of the business world. During that time I developed many operational reports that transformed the way the company ran their business.

Rejoining Russell

Eventually, my career came full circle when I rejoined Russell many years after that very first role in the early 1990s. Today, I bring together extensive software consulting experience, wide-ranging business understanding, and a natural inclination toward problem solving. While attention to detail isn’t my strongest area, I contribute through clear thinking, creativity, and the ability to approach challenges from multiple angles.

Life Beyond Wor

Outside of work, I enjoy the quieter, hands-on pursuits that bring balance to my life: gardening, furniture restoration, and decoupage.

As I continue this chapter of my journey, I draw on a career shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to helping people bring structure and clarity to their systems and processes.

Turtle Bay Consultants – Turtle Bay