Gareth is an accountant by trade with experience in Finance, Accounting, IT, Logistics, change management and values based Leadership.

Prior to joining Carter & Spencer, Gareth had experience in a wide range of industries in both the Accounting and IT fields including Chartered Accountants, Medical Services Industry and Leather manufacturing and Bi Products.

Gareth’s introduction to the produce industry was in 2004 as the Finance and IT Manager for Foodstuffs Fresh (Auckland) Limited, which was a new 50/50 joint venture between Carter & Spencer and Foodstuffs Auckland Limited. The main aim of this Joint Venture was to provide warehousing and transportation management services to Foodstuffs produce supply chain.
Gareth was the second employee on board in the new venture and was tasked with:

• Setting up and management of all Financial Reporting systems  
• Development and implementation of the new Ironbark IT system

In 2007, Gareth was appointed General Manager of Foodstuffs Fresh and remained in that position until he joined Carter & Spencer. Gareth’s main focus as GM were:

• Values based leadership based around creating clear vision and facilitating engagement from the entire team ensuring the goals of the company are met
• Moving the business across from its existing premises in East Tamaki, Auckland to a new $30 million purpose built “fresh produce” distribution centre in Airport Oaks, Auckland
• Ensure Foodstuffs Fresh’s service was rolled out to all 125 stores, hence doubling in size
• Change the whole business from a traditional put away, replenish and pick by store warehouse into a flow through facility ensuring maximum efficiency of the space and labour cost
• Rolling out the fully cool chain compliant transport network
• Rolling out the fresh cut salad distribution and cross dock of seafood through the distribution centre