Garth Hamilton - Director and Wellington General Manager

Garth is a co-founder of Assurity and has been involved in all aspects of software development and the creation and growth of software development companies for 20 years. This includes 5 years’ experience as both a developer and analyst, before taking on development management roles. His management experience includes responsibility for two growth-phase companies and the creation of a product distribution company.

He was responsible for creating the Wellington branch of QED Software Ltd before taking over as General Manager. He was New Zealand Country Manager for Progress Software Corporation, a US based developer of PC, Unix and Internet development tools. Prior to founding Assurity his role was to create and grow software development for Synergy International. This role saw him perform the roles of General Manager of Technology Solutions, General Manager Wellington, Deputy CEO, and Director of Synergy and two subsidiary companies including Ericsson Synergy Limited.

Garth has a background in consultancy services, sales, service delivery, leadership and strategy. He has an in-depth understanding of the New Zealand ICT industry, and a wide network of industry and government contacts. He has 16 years of sales experience within the Wellington market and again a wide network of client contacts.

Garth has an ability to relate well to people at all levels which has contributed to his success in building strong relationships and motivating both self and others to exceed expectations.

Darren McTigue - Director and Auckland General Manager

Darren McTigue is a co-founder of Assurity and has the role of Company Director and General Manager for the Auckland branch. Darren has over 25 years experience within the IT industry spanning organisational leadership, general management, programme and project management and software development.

One of Darren’s key strengths is his ability to bridge the gap between the functions of an organisation to help ‘translate’ business objectives and strategy to IT outcomes.

Darren has a wide understanding of business, IT methodologies, concepts, tools and techniques. His experience covers the software development lifecycle in a number of hardware and software platforms, application packages and development environments.

Darren has a pragmatic and flexible style and a passion for quality and removing waste.

When not at work Darren has a passion for all things to do with the sea. He is a keen yachtsman as well as trying to be a good fisherman and can often be found out and around the gulf in anything that floats.

Simon Anderson - Principal Consultant (Wellington)

Simon Anderson has over 18 years experience in the computer industry, 16 of these years in testing roles. He has developed a strong generic testing skill base coupled with experience in test management roles.

He has in-depth knowledge of test automation, performance testing, and test management tools. The development and implementation of test frameworks to support test automation is of particular interest to him.

Simon has practical experience in applying testing methodologies within structured and iterative development environments. He views testing as a critical part of the development process and is committed to quality.

Once assigned a responsibility, Simon shows focus, commitment and follow-through. He is effective working independently, as a team member, and as a team leader and manager. He has a very amicable personality that helps him resolve problems, conflict and to function well under pressure and deadlines.

While test tools have always been part of Simon's roles they have been his specialist focus since 2002. He formed and operated his own company Box of Objects Ltd to further this specialisation from 2004 until 2006 when he joined Assurity as Principal Consultant responsible for testing tools. Simon is a HP Certified Consultant and an HP Certified Trainer.

Rob O'Connell - Consulting Manager (Wellington)

Rob manages a number of deliveries for our clients in Wellington, and in addition to test management he works extensively in the areas of Quality Consultancy and Test Process Improvement. Rob has also worked in the related software and process areas of incident, change and release and environment management.

He is an experienced senior test manager and project lead with 13 years testing experience in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and the UK.

Testing is Rob’s long held area of specialisation. His technical knowledge and testing abilities have been enhanced through an extensive training programme. His qualifications include a Masters degree from Waikato University and ISEB Foundation & Practitioners Certification in Software Testing. He also has considerable experience in the use of HP Software’s test management and automated tools throughout his testing career.

Rob is the current chairperson for the Wellington Test Professional’s Network and is an Associate Board Member the ANZTB, where he has been a part of the ANZTB Exam Technical Advisory Group since 2008 as well as a member of the ISTQB Exam Working Group. These organisations all share the objective of improving testing practice within New Zealand and Australia, which is an area of particular importance in Rob’s professional career.

Martin Gordon - Consulting Manager (Wellington)

Martin is an experienced Senior Consultant with over 16 years experience behind him. He arrived in New Zealand in 2006 from the UK, where he was the Testing and Quality Assurance Manager within the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

In his time with the NHS he has gained a variety of skills and experience, including techniques and skills to control and prevent costly delays in development delivery.

He is a proactive and innovative person that enjoys challenges. He has a passion for ensuring appropriate methods and protocols are in place and will take any opportunity to learn from those he works with.

Martin's technical knowledge and testing abilities have been enhanced through the training he has undertaken throughout his career. His qualifications include the Prince2 Foundation Certificate in Project Management, as well as the ISEB Foundation & Practitioners Certification in Software Testing & Test Management.

In addition to his software testing experience, Martin is an experienced Project Manager and has also managed Change, Configuration and Release Management as well as IT Process Improvement.

Martin is also a committee member of the Wellington Agile Professional’s Network, which is an organisation committed to promoting appropriate use of, and increasing expertise in Agile techniques.

Rodger Perkins - Consulting Manager (Wellington)

Rodger has over 16 years of testing experience, and has held a number of significant positions within New Zealand, United Kingdom and Germany. While abroard Rodger successfully completed a variety of test engagements for clients including; NatWest Markets, Citibank and AirMiles (BA subsidiary). Since returning to New Zealand Rodger held senior test positions, including Test Capability Leader for the Department of Internal Affairs and Test Director for HP.

Rodger is a seasoned test professional with a strong focus on delivery and customer success. Rodger has lead large and diverse teams to successful outcomes and through periods of extreme change. These experiences include; organisational change, test methods and approaches, recruitment and capability development.

Drawing on his leadership experiences, Rodger is now mentoring and developing people working to enhance capability and personal outcomes.

In addition to testing, Rodger has a history of Human Resources management – specialising in remuneration practices, position evaluations and organisational structure. Rodger has also worked as the Programme Manager for Identity Services, and understands project management methodologies, with a particular focus on change and release management. Rodger is ISTQB certified and sits on the local Test Professionals Network board.

Gillian Clark - Agile Consulting Manager (Auckland)

Gillian has over 20 years experience in IT Management, Project Management and Programme Management spanning Financial Services, Insurance and Retail sectors. Gillian is very effective at managing the most important resource in an IT environment - people. Using her people skills, business skills, programme and project management skills and technical background, she has achieved considerable success in various senior IT business, programme and project management roles. A self-starter, she is comfortable running multiple client or mixed staff project teams. Gillian communicates effectively at all levels and can bridge the technology gap that often arises in IT projects between the technology and non-technology business teams.

Gillian is keen to ensure organisations gain the true value from their IT investments and is a firm believer in using the right tools for a job, particularly where they combine active stakeholder management with an agile, iterative approach to delivery. Gillian has become a leading agile advocate in NZ and has spoken at many events, is a founder member of the Agile professional Network and has provided agile coaching and mentoring services to many clients.

Gillian’s work style is informal and open with a strong belief in creating the environment within which her team members and clients can succeed and is comfortable working alone as a consultant or running substantial project/program teams.

Helen Walters - Consulting Manager (Auckland)

Helen has undertaken Senior Project Management and Quality Assurance roles for clients involving communication across multiple parties at all levels of management. These projects involved complex business structures and processes and large integrated systems including Claims and Contract Management, Customer Relationship Management, Billing, and Content Management.

Helen has over 13 years experience in the IT industry with the last 9 years in General Management, Service Delivery Management, Project and Test Management roles for corporate clients across a wide variety of industry sectors. Her career has covered Project Management (PMP, Agile, Scrum Master), Service Delivery Management, Quality Assurance, Software Testing (ISEB), Help Desk Management, Technical Support and Software Training.

Helen is described as a respected leader with loyal team members. She possesses strong interpersonal skills that allow her to communicate effectively with all levels of an organization and develop relationships. Helen considers herself to be proactive and often initiate and implement improvements in her work environment for both clients and her employer. Helen possesses excellent organizational skills and can be relied upon to be calm in stressful situations.

Paul Warner - Consulting Manager (Auckland)

Paul Warner started his career in IT over 12 years ago joining a UK based test consultancy straight from university from there he joined a US firm which led to travelling all across Europe, Mexico and the US before finally joining Assurity in 2010.

Paul has designed and implemented testing strategies for Siebel and SAP ERP solutions involving Sales & Distribution, Materials Management, Finance and Control and Warehouse Management. In this time he has built up extensive testing experience across multiple tool suites and methodologies including HP WinRunner, QuickTest Pro, Quality Centre, LoadRunner and Segue Silk Performer.

In addition to his software testing experience, Paul is an experienced Project Manager, leading teams of testers in delivering many phases and projects. Paul led the largest SAP TAO implementation in Europe in 2008 that consisted of three teams across three global locations and is now responsible for SAP projects within Assurity.

In this time Paul has also been studying for his SAP Basis certification, he holds a CPC certificate in HP QTP and has taught HP QTP.

Paul’s experience spans many industries including mining, retail, food services, car manufacturing, government security and more recently banking.