Chris has an extensive business and academic background.

Founder of Carrickmore, a dairy export company specialising in marketing infant formula, the Carrickmore product range was launched in China and New Zealand in 2012. Chris helped established the New Zealand Infant Formula Exporters Association to maintain and protect the reputation of New Zealand infant formula. Members included; laboratories, can manufacturers, co-packers, ingredient suppliers and small and medium sized infant formula exporters. The Associations membership grew to 26 companies representing an export value of $60 million before being adversely affected by international dairy markets.

Prior to that Chris founded ID Digital Media, a full service advertising agency specialising in marketing communications. He was also the Dean of Business Studies and Senior Lecturer in Management at the Christchurch College of Education.

Passionate about horticulture and adding value to New Zealand’s primary produce he founded Claridges Organics, one of New Zealand’s first organic food exporting businesses. Chris attended Lincoln University to study Horticulture before transferring to Canterbury to complete a Masters in Biotechnology.

Chris has recently been appointed to the Kapiti District Economic Development Kotahitanga Board  provide governance, oversee implementation and delivery of the Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020-23, and build momentum and trust with key partners, stakeholders and the wider community. He is a member of the Royal Society, Institute of Directors and the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology.