“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this business its people. Can we trust these people with our money? There can be amazing science and technology, great products, but if you can’t get on with or there’s no trust with the people then it’s best not to do the deal.”

-Neville Jordan

Name: Neville Jordan CNZM (Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit)
Year Born: 1943
Education: Canterbury University – Electrical Engineer graduate (1967)
Leisure interests: ocean yachting, scuba diving, motorcycling, horse riding, doing charity work and the performing arts.

Secret to his success: Complete confidence in your abilities, recognizing and accepting your shortfalls and having the desire to achieve.

What people say about Neville Jordan:

- John Manning, businessman and former manager of Technology New Zealand, said: “Neville’s a natural innovator but he is not just that. He has the combination of being an innovator [along with] strong business and management skills.

- “I have a lot of respect for him. He may be successful, but he’s also someone who is just another bloke who has time to help anyone. New Zealand needs more Neville Jordan around.”

Working Experience:

1. IBM and civil aviation (air traffic control engineer)
2. Headed to the United States on a six-week Rotary scholarship (age 25).Neville Jordan said that Rotary scholarship effectively changed his life. That was since the day he saw that there are people who enjoys in technology when he went to Houston NASA mission control. That made Neville Jordan motivated on having his own company.”
3. Multinational company in Europe – vice president

Awards, Achievements and Recognitions:

1. Leading investor and contributor to technological and scientific venture
2. President of the Royal Society of New Zealand (early 2006 to June 2009)
3. Chair of the Trustees of the Rutherford Foundation
4. Chair of the National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) Review Panel by the Australian Government
5. The Second Flying Kiwi recipient (2004)
6. He founded MAS Technology Ltd. in 1975 (telecommunications Microwave Company). He was able to make this company successful in the NASDAQ stock exchange. (1996 – 240 staffs, 15 offices worldwide). In 1997, in a highly successful float, MAS became the first and still the only New Zealand Company to list on the NASDAQ.
7. Founder of telecommunications microwave Equipment Company Marine Air Systems (MAS) Technology.
8. First New Zealand Company to list on the NASDAQ – tied forces with US company Digital Microwave Services proceeding to Jordan selling his interest in 1998.
9. Over 250 staffs are already with MAS, exports to 60 countries; making more than $100 Million in foreign exchange earnings.
10. Neville Jordan went on to establish Endeavor Capital a venture capital business investing in exciting New Zealand-based science, research and technology enterprises.
11. Diabetes research company “Protemix” (based at the University of Auckland and the DNA reagents company, ZyGEM) – founding Chair and Chief Executive.
12. He has been a Well-known Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand and has been given an award by the United Kingdom IEE Kirby medal for “outstanding eminence and distinction in advanced technology”.
13. Neville Jordan was recognized by the Governor General of New Zealand’s Supreme Award for Exporting in 1996 and was honored by the Queen in 1999 as a Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit.
14. Neville is also one of only three living New Zealander’s to be a Laureate of both the Hi Tech Hall of Fame (2005) and NZ Business Hall of Fame (2006).
15. He continues to back our young talent in their growth of New Zealand’s hi-tech future.
16. Neville Jordan was able to serve six years (1993 – 1998) on the board of the Crown Research Institute, AgResearch, and three years each on the boards of the Foundation of Research Science & Technology as well as the Prime Minister’s Growth and Innovation Advisory Board.
17. An honorary Doctor of Engineering degree in Canterbury University