The Bridge Networks says a fond farewell to its NZ founder
Following a lengthy and successful career in the New Zealand Broadcast Industry that has seen him build and manage a successful technology distribution business for over 12 years, Philip Cooke has stepped down as Managing Director of The Bridge Networks effective from the 15 December 2008.
Phil Cooke has had a long career in broadcast engineering in both the public and commercial broadcasting services. His formal qualifications were gained working in the public broadcasting system (NZBC and BCNZ) where he first qualified as a radio technician and then later qualified to NZCE level. He held a position of Senior Systems Engineer with Rediffusion Radio Systems in London England before returning to New Zealand to form Cooke and Associates. Cooke and Associates provided engineering and technical service to commercial radio stations and managed a number of notable projects including building the first commercial FM station in New Zealand under a temporary license in 1985, setting up the private radio news and sports network (IRN & IRS) and building the network headend and studio centre for this network news service.
In 1987 Phil joined Maser where the broadcast business expanded and became a highly successful division. In 1996 Maser moved its head office to Australia and under an agreement with Maser Phil Cooke established Telequipment to take over their Wellington premises and the broadcast product they distributed in New Zealand. Phil built the small company into a multi-million dollar business through his passion for Radio and Broadcast technology, engineering expertise and intimate knowledge of the New Zealand Broadcasting industry. The quality of the company built up by Phil was recognised internationally, with The Bridge Networks Pty Ltd* acquiring Telequipment Pacific Ltd in 2004.
Since acquisition Phil has sat on the Boards of the Companies holding The Bridge Networks NZ interests and has embraced the opportunity to gain experience in a governance role in a major international organisation. In 2007 Phil became a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and successfully completed the institute’s Company Directors training programme. Phil has performed a key role in maintaining and adapting the businesses processes and strategies enabling the success of the integration of the NZ business in to the international group of The Bridge Networks companies. For the majority of 2008, Phil scaled down his day to day involvement in the business in a planned process to hand over management of The Bridge Networks. After much consideration, Phil decided December 2008 was the time to step down as Managing Director, allowing him greater flexibility to pursue other interests in 2009, whilst keeping in touch with the business through a consultancy role.
The day to day management of The Bridge Networks has now been handed formally over to General Manager of TBN NZ, Christine Fisher. Christine joined the New Zealand team in November 2007 relocating from the Australian business and has been incrementally taking on the management of the business over the past 12 months. Christine, supported by the TBN NZ team will build on Phil’s legacy and continue to build the business as a key Engineering and Technology product and service provider in the New Zealand and Pacific Island region.
* The Bridge Networks companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Broadcast Australia Pty Ltd a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group (ASX: MCG).
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For further information, contact:
Christine Fisher
Tel: +64 4 471 1509
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