ZURU guru speaking for Life Education Trust

Waipā King Country Life Education Trust fundraiser guest speaker Anna Mowbray, co-founder of ZURU and CEO of Zuru Toys. Photo / Supplied

Life Education Trust in Waipā King Country has weathered a challenging period like the rest of the community, suffering a significant loss of income but persevering with the goal of delivering valued programmes to client schools.

The trust is proud of educators Nicky Wise and Sarah Bolton, who they say have been going above and beyond their usual roles. They provided remote sessions for schools during lockdown last year and are now tailoring their lessons to deal with additional issues faced by young people and focusing on building resilience and teaching the importance of developing and retaining good relationships.

Last year has presented financial challenges as well, with income significantly affected by the loss of time in the classroom and consequently reduced school fees received.

As part of the process of recovering those losses to ensure that the delivery of the programmes can continue the trust will be holding a major fundraising dinner and auction on August 28 at St Peter's School, Cambridge.

The highlight of the evening will be guest speaker Anna Mowbray.

Anna will be known to many as Waikato born, and now co-founder of ZURU and CEO of Zuru Toys, the seventh largest toy company in the world.

Anna's leadership and focus on agility, creativity, data driven marketing, best in class sales techniques and new-age manufacturing techniques have enabled ZURU to become one of the fastest-growing toy companies in the world.

In just 16 years it has grown to $1.5 billion in retail sales annually, internationally recognised as an industry disruptor and leader. Its brands and products, including Bunch O Balloons, X-Shot, and Rainbocorns, are household names in over 120 countries and winners of countless Toy of the Year awards.

Anna's clear vision, unrivalled passion, and strong work ethic equip her to oversee all dynamic functions of the business with a hands-on approach of a true entrepreneur.

She manages 5000 direct employees with a team of over 10,000 across manufacturing and 23 remote offices worldwide, all while raising three kids under the age of 8.

ZURU has recently taken its winning formula to the fast-moving consumer goods sector, launching premium supermarket brands in feminine hygiene, baby care, pet food, haircare and supplements - both in New Zealand and offshore.

With an arm of the business also developing automated building fabrication software and manufacturing processes, the company is fast becoming a global innovation powerhouse.

Anna's deep care for people and passion for women's advancement is evident in her extensive philanthropic endeavours - most notably, her partnership with Captivating International in support of their My First Job and Vocational School Scholarship (VSS) Programs in China, supporting 600 girls into education, as well as her sponsorship of the GirlBoss NZ Trailblazing Young Women Awards.

Anna is a member of the New Zealand China Council and her family have also been long-standing supporters of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, the Starship Foundation and the Salvation Army.

Having recently returned to New Zealand, Anna is looking forward to sharing her wealth of experience and global connections with the local community.

Finding contributing to others' personal and professional development most gratifying, Anna is particularly excited to connect with young Kiwi talent, including those also recently returned from overseas, and create unique growth opportunities for them across the ZURU network.

She does not often speak at events such as the Waipā King Country Life Education Trust fundraiser, so this is a special opportunity to hear what she has to say in an environment offering the possibility of personal conversation with her.

Tickets for the event are now on sale for $120. Anyone interested should contact trustee Kay Moir – wkmoir@xtra.co.nz or 0274 531093.