Steve Penno
Martin Brendling

Steve Penno, Senior Investment Manager - Information and Communications Technology

Steve joined Investment New Zealand in February 2006. He is the specialist sector Investment Manager for Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
 
Steve helps to introduce offshore investors and strategic partners to New Zealand companies. He also works with multi nationals and offshore investors to develop and execute investment oportunities that will contribute to the growth of New Zealand's ICT sector. 

Background and expertise

Steve brings to Investment New Zealand over 13 years experience in the ICT sector, including fixed and mobile telecommunications, software, and electronics. He has significant experience in managing investment in technology. In his most recent role Steve was responsible for planning and managing Telecom New Zealand's investment in Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to replace Telecom's current digital telecommunciations network.
 
Steve holds a Bachelors Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Canterbury University.

Martin Brendling, Senior Investment Manager - Information and Communications Technology

Martin joined Investment New Zealand in August 2006 and has 25 years experience in Information Technology and Telecommunications (IT&T), achieving success in roles that range from highly technical systems engineering to senior management with leading IT multinationals.

After an initial role with British Telecom, Martin moved into IT as a software engineer specialising in operating system software and optical character recognition systems for the banking sector. During this time he was seconded to work with a technology supplier in the US.

Emigrating from the UK to New Zealand in 1987 Martin moved into client-facing roles in sales, marketing and management with leading IT organisations such as ICL, Fujitsu, the Gartner Group, and Telecom NZ. With these roles he has worked with a number of New Zealand market sectors including health, finance and banking, local government and manufacturing and distribution. Martin also has experience in starting and running, with a business partner, an IT-related service business in New Zealand.

Martin has tertiary qualifications in telecommunications and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School.

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