Chris commenced his career in the New Zealand printing industry with an apprenticeship in sheet-fed printing, achieving his Advanced Trade Certification and NZIP Certificate in Print Supervision. He spent a number of years in retail advertising print production, before taking up his first role in technical sales.

A trip to the USA of one year turned into five, during which time Chris managed a sheetfed printing company for two years in Boston, while his evenings were taken up with studying Sales and Marketing at the renowned Harvard University.

Moving to “Silicon Valley” in California during the early 80’s as the Sales and Marketing manager for a major advertising typographer with clients gave him the opportunity to be a supplier to companies that today are some of the leaders in technology and innovation. Apple, Adobe, Hewlett Packard to name just a few.

Returning to NZ, to a major multinational printing supply company, his experience was put to work in sales and marketing management of consumables and equipment for the printing and packaging sector. It was during this period he completed his MBA at Massey University.

After five years in a role of general manager, Chris re-located in 1990 to Melbourne with product and commercial responsibilities for consumable, software and equipment, for a leading multi-national organization. Chris’s background and experience gained in working both in production, sales and senior management, covering a broad range of industry perspectives and in particular, the supply side, provides him with a unique vantage point from which to view the industry requirements for production, sales and management personnel both at a domestic and international level.

In his spare time he can be found riding his horse on his hobby farm in Yarra Valley, or as a keen member and past president of the Lilydale Club - Lions International service organization, cooking sausages for a community fundraiser.

C. Gander,
JDA PRINT RECRUITMENT (VIC)