BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Canada, Australia & New Zealand Business Association (CANZBA) is administered by a volunteer Board of Directors, elected by the membership.

Tony Crossman

President (Founding Director)
Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Tony Crossman is an Australian, a partner at Blake, Cassels & Grayson, and a founding member of CANZBA. Tony grew up in Australia, where he obtained his Law and Masters degree. He practiced law in Australia with a number of firms (including one of Australia’s national law firms) before moving to Canada. Tony is admitted to practice in 3 jurisdictions in Canada – British Columbia, Nova Scotia and the Yukon Territory. Tony has a wide range of legal experience in both litigation and corporate/commercial work. As a lawyer in Canada, he has worked for Australian companies doing business in Canada and for Canadian companies doing business in Australia.

Jeremy West

Secretary & Vice President
Partner, Watson Goepel LLP

Jeremy West is a partner at Watson Goepel LLP in Vancouver. Jeremy graduated from Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand in 1996 with a LLB. BA (Political Science). Mr. West was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in September 1997 and called to the British Columbia Bar in 2006. Jeremy's practice consists entirely of litigation work and includes, amongst other things, complex commercial litigation matters, construction litigation, disciplinary hearings, corporate and shareholder disputes, insurance and commercial property matters.

Annabel Stiven

Indirect Tax Manager, Indochino

Annabel has over 10 years of professional experience working in public accounting focused primarily on Transfer Pricing. Annabel has significant experience in transfer pricing planning, documentation and dispute resolution matters. Her experience has included assisting clients with tax planning as it relates to transfer pricing, preparing transfer pricing documentation, conducting risk assessment reviews, and conducting analyses to support inbound and outbound inter-company pricing policies. In addition, she has worked across most commercial and industrial sectors in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In particular, Annabel has worked directly with clients in the technology, pharmaceutical, retail and consumer products industries, as well as services to mining and oil and gas sectors.

Dan Graham

Director of Operations, COBS Bread

Dan Graham is a Director of Operations with COBS Bread, the North American arm of Melbourne-based Bakers Delight, one of the world's most successful bakery franchises. Bakers Delight has more than 700 locations across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, and it continues to expand across North America. Dan is an accountant by trade, with extensive Consulting, Business Advisory and Accountancy experience both in public practice and private enterprise. Since moving to Vancouver in 2005, Dan has held numerous integral roles as part of the senior team at COBS Bread, leading Finance, IT, Marketing, Business Development and Commercial and Retail Operations within the business.

Damian Frith

Damian Frith is a versatile Executive and Management Consultant with a 20-year track record of managing and advising organizations dealing with significant challenges - major transformation programs, unpredictable business performance, Information Technology challenges, contract and client relationship issues, misaligned business strategies, and weak operational disciplines. Damian has a Bachelor of Computing from the University of Ballarat (Australia), a Master's in Business Administration from Queens University (Canada) and a Master’s of Law (Business) from York University (Canada). He has been a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) since 2004 and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) since 2019.

James Howey

Director of Events
Manager, Business Development, Air Canada

James Howey is currently responsible for Air Canada’s commercial Business Development efforts across Western Canada. James has an extensive 24-year’s of experience in the aviation sector that has spanned the globe with a career start in London, UK followed by postings across Canada. Through his tenure, he’s driven a wide range of commercial activities in areas of Supply Chain, Large-Market Client Management, Global Alliances Sales & Strategy, Tourism & Partnership Marketing, Operational Planning, and Community Investments.

His current responsibilities include managing Air Canada’s B2B Trade partnerships in the Region while collaborating with his global team in securing new Corporate partnerships to scale the Company’s international presence. He is passionate about the opportunity to foster greater bi-lateral ties for business between Canada and the South Pacific while committed to supporting the deep cultural values Canada, Australia & New Zealand enjoy.

Kevin Lamb

Trade Commissioner and Honorary Consul, Australian Consulate General in Vancouver 

As Consul (Honorary) and Trade Commissioner, Kevin Lamb is responsible for managing Australia’s Consulate in Vancouver, which provides the full range of consular services to Australians residing or visiting Western Canada. He is also responsible for Australia’s trade and investment promotion activities in Western Canada. Kevin is a founding member of CANZBA.

Matt Ritchie

Trade Commissioner and Consul General, Canada

Matt Ritchie is the Trade Commissioner and Consul General for Canada, residing in Vancouver.

Matt joined NZTE in 2005 and has held several senior management roles. He has previously served as a Trade Commissioner where he was based in Kuala Lumpur, overseeing NZTE's activities in Malaysia and Brunei. Most recently, Matt worked as a Customer Director, where he was responsible for early stage exporters and increasing the number of customers working with NZTE and leading a team of Customer Advisors.

Before joining NZTE, he led teams in the information technology, media and logistics industries in New Zealand and the UK.

Matt has a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science (Industrial and Organisational Psychology) and Commerce (Management) from The University of Auckland.

Nerella Campigotto

Past President 
Principal, Boomerang Consulting Inc

Nerella is the owner of Boomerang Consulting Inc., a firm that specializes in International Business Development. She helps businesses grow through successful expansion into foreign markets, by providing services such as market entry strategies, assistance with business partnering and establishing foreign operations, and intercultural business communication. Nerella is an Australian with over 20 years of international experience, having worked in business development and operations management in various countries. She is particularly passionate about promoting Australia as a viable business destination. As one of the core founders, she was a catalyst for the formation of CANZBA in 2001.