New Appointments Announced to the New Zealand Middle East Business Council

The New Zealand Middle East Business Council would like to announce new leadership appointments to their Executive Council, effective January 2026, strengthening the Council’s governance and capability to support New Zealand businesses engaging across the Middle East region.

The appointments reflect the depth of New Zealand’s commercial, legal, technology, education and agribusiness expertise, and the Council’s continued focus on supporting sustainable, long-term economic relationships with Middle Eastern partners. We would like to thank Randall Blackford for his leadership on the board for the past 3 year.

Jude Hadfield

Chair

Ms Hadfield brings extensive leadership and governance experience across New Zealand and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). She was previously the Vice Chair for 3 years. She has lived and worked in the United Arab Emirates for 14 years and continues to be actively engaged in projects across the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Oman. She has supported New Zealand EdTech companies expanding globally and has been involved in governance roles since 2018.

Ms Hadfield maintains strong relationships across the Middle East diplomatic and business communities and is committed to supporting New Zealand companies to succeed in the region. She can be contacted at Chair@nzmebc.org.nz for all matters.

Hailey Ryan

Vice Chair

Ms Ryan is General Manager for Global Quick Service Restaurants at Fonterra, where she leads global relationships with major multinational brands including McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Starbucks and others.

She has spent the past six years working extensively across the Middle East with franchise partners and regional operators. With a background in senior communications roles in New Zealand and internationally, Ms Ryan brings strong commercial and market-entry expertise and is well placed to support members entering or expanding in the region.

Edwin Lim

Secretary

Mr Lim is a Partner at Hudson Gavin Martin, a specialist commercial and corporate law firm focusing on technology, media and intellectual property. He has significant experience in New Zealand and the Middle East, having previously worked at Clyde & Co in Dubai advising major regional corporates and government entities. Mr Lim is actively involved in NZMEBC member engagement, digital initiatives, and seminars, and supports members on legal, regulatory, and commercial matters related to establishing and operating businesses in the Middle East.

Anna Hawken

Treasurer

Ms Hawken is a Partner in EY’s International Tax and Transaction Services team and advises multinational businesses on international tax and transfer pricing. Having worked in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Singapore, she brings deep expertise in inbound and outbound investment, tax structuring, supply chain optimisation and compliance. Ms Hawken works closely with New Zealand headquartered companies operating in the Middle East and is passionate about supporting New Zealand businesses expanding offshore.