Our People In New Zealand
First Rate is made up of a dedicated team of people from a range of backgrounds. Our skills and experience guarantee you a thorough, informed and helpful approach.
Our core team members are as follows:
| Jon Ostler - Founder and Managing Director | |
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Jon is the founder of First Rate and one of New Zealand's leading authorities on contemporary Internet marketing. Working with many leading websites, he is a regular writer for international publications and a speaker at conferences in New Zealand and Australia. After advising many of the UK's top defence companies and agencies on classified projects, Jon retired from military intelligence to put his skills to work on the worldwide web. Since arriving in New Zealand in 1998, he has helped many businesses succeed online, acting as an independent Internet consultant. Jon founded First Rate in 1999, in response to the emerging demand among businesses for a measurable return on their website investment. T: +64 (9) 920 1731 |
| Kevin Francis - Chief Operating Officer | |
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Kevin was educated at Bristol University, UK, where he gained an honours degree in chemistry, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He spent eight years as a telecommunications officer in the British Army, reaching the rank of Captain and was decorated for operational service in the Gulf War. Kevin has held a variety of senior management positions in the Internet and IT industry over the last 20 years and brings extensive experience in change management, business excellence and business growth. T: +64 (9) 920 1742 |
| Andy Taylor - Sales and Marketing Director | |
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Andy came to First Rate from Southern Cross Healthcare and has previously held roles in Australia, notably for Hutchison Telecoms in Sydney. He holds a Bachelor of Business with a major in Marketing Communications from Massey University, Auckland. T: +64 (9) 920 1735 |
| Matt Jackson - Senior Account Manager | |
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Matt has moved to First Rate from Kordia where he gained experience in the Telecommunications, Media and Technology sector. As an account manager Matt was involved with traditional broadcast & new media companies as well as Internet Service Providers. He has a variety of experience in other service related industries. T: +64 (9) 920 1756 |
| Gracie Gao - The Performance Network Manager | |
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Gracie manages The Performance Network (TPN), a premium ad network operated by First Rate. Gracie completed her Bachelor Degree majoring in International Marketing at Hanzehogeschool Groningen in the Netherlands and Bachelor Degree majoring in Accounting at Auckland University of Technology. After graduating, she worked for a B2B media auditing firm in the US and completed various marketing projects in China and the Netherlands. She gradually developed her interests in the online marketing industry. Before joining First Rate, she was working for an affiliate network as an affiliate manager and merchant integration specialist in Montreal Canada. |
| Helen Chen - Office Manager | |
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Helen holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Auckland.
Prior to joining First Rate as our Office Manager she worked for Ericsson as a Finance Manager. Before her move to New Zealand she held several accounting and finance posts in organisations within China. Helen is an affiliated member of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). T: +64 9 920 1743 E: Click here to email Helen |
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