John Holdsworth, Wellington, ONZM
For services to business and the community. Mr Holdsworth is Chairperson of the Datacom Group, after having been Executive Chairperson since 1988. During this time, he oversaw the company’s growth from a medium-sized business to become the largest New Zealand-owned IT company, with earnings of more than $700 million. He has significant business interests in other areas and actively invests in start-up companies. He believes in balancing business excellence with positive community outcomes and established a community and social responsibility programme at Datacom. He has also supported IHC New Zealand, serving for many years on its national executive and has been a key fundraiser for Special Olympics New Zealand.