World first with Kiwi appointment

By Tom Clarke

THE appointment of Aucklander Jan Nicol as chief executive and general manager of Minolta New Zealand Ltd, reflects the advancement of women in the Japanese business culture, she says.

Jan Nicol is the first woman to head a national operation for the Japanese company, which has more than 100 wholly-owned subsidiaries around the world.

"Traditionally, Japan is a very male-dominated business arena, but obviously in the case of my appointment they decided I was the best person for the job, and gender wasn't an issue," she says.

"It's a sign of the times, reflecting the advances being made in Japan. We're proud that it has been New Zealand that has led the way for the Minolta Group. It's a wonderful opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to it."

The company has 25,000 employees worldwide, and she hopes her appointment will lead the way for other women employees to follow.

Jan Nicol joined Minolta in 1993 as an accountant and was appointed financial director in 1998. She mixes her business career with her role as a mother of two school-aged children.

"I'm a career-orientated person as well as a family-orientated person, and I've worked since my children were little," she says. "I've been very lucky that I've been able to mix the two roles successfully."

Her interest in the education of her children adds strength to her commitment to Minolta New Zealand's involvement in sponsoring education, which first began in 1981.

The company is supporting educational conferences for primary, secondary and tertiary teachers and also provides overseas study awards for teachers. She says the company's educational involvement is a special area of its activities and it is committed to continuing that support.

Jan Nicol replaces Peter O'Sullivan, the founding chief executive and general manager of Minolta New Zealand Ltd, who is retiring at the end of June after 21 years with the company.

From small beginnings, it now has purpose-built headquarters in Mt Wellington with branches in all the main centres, supported by a network of dealers. The company develops and markets image information products such as digital and analogue photocopiers, laser printers and facsimile machines, and has annual international sales of more than $7 billion.

Other appointments made by the company include Peter Snethlage as national retail manager, Brendan Winitana as marketing manager, and Grahame Campbell as dealer and key accounts manager.