Our board

  • Headshot of Jane Cartwright, Chairperson. A woman with light coloured short hair with dark rimmed glasses smiling for the camera in front of a white background.

    Jane Cartwright

    Chairperson

    Jane Cartwright was appointed Chair of Brackenridge Services Limited Board in 2013. Holding a Bachelor of Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Science (Human Nutrition), an MBA from the University of Otago, and an NZ Dietetic Registration, Jane brings a plethora of experience.

    She holds directorships, trustee, and committee member responsibilities across a variety of health organisations and also Chairs the Nurse Maude Association.

    Currently, Jane is in a leadership role for the Health NZ Te Whanau Ora has substantial governance and operational experience. She is a Chartered Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors.

  • Headshot of Steve Wakefield, Board Member. A man with light short hair wearing clear glasses smiling for the camera in front of a white background.

    Steve Wakefield

    Board Member

    Steve Wakefield was appointed to the Brackenridge Board in August 2017. Steve holds a Bachelor of Commerce and in mid-2017 took early retirement from the Deloitte partnership to focus on directorship and governance roles. At Deloitte, Steve was the managing partner and leader of the local consulting practice and has wide-range experience in many areas of accounting, auditing, information technology, and risk assurance.

    Steve is committed to the needs of our communities and has a good understanding of the challenges faced by the people Brackenridge support. With a strong focus on the values of Brackenridge, Steve’s extensive experience with many community groups and government bodies brings a blend of specialised skills in strategic thinking, risk management and commercial development and leadership.

    In 2011, Steve was awarded a Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute of Accountants, in 2012 he was recognised as the New Zealand Chartered Accountant of the Year, and in 2023 Steve was made a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

  • Headshot of Kate Lopez, Board member. A woman with light skin and light brown hair pulled back in smiling for the camera in front of a white background.

    Kate Lopez

    Board Member

    Kate Lopez joined the Brackenridge Board in 2018. Kate is an experienced senior health executive with experience across the New Zealand health sector including front line clinical nursing roles, and senior operational and professional leadership positions.

    Kate's current role is National Manager, New Zealand, for Beamtree, a digital health technology company that supports quality improvement and health system performance for Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ's hospital and specialist service network. Previously, Kate held the position of Operational General Manager, Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation with the Canterbury District Health Board.

    Kate is a Member of the Institute of Directors NZ and holds an MBA and Post Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences. She is passionate about supporting people to live well and is dedicated to improving outcomes along the way.

  • Headshot of Gail Gibson, Board Member. A woman with orange hair and brown glasses looking toward the camera with her mouth slightly open in front of a white background.

    Gail Gibson

    Board Member

    Gail joined the Brackenridge Board in 2021 and brings with her a wealth of experience on a nationwide and local community scale. Gail was a police officer for 37 years. After leaving police, she worked in several different areas including project management of the Children’s Action Plan and Vulnerable Children legislation. She also held the position of relationship manager for the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University.

    Before Brackenridge, Gail held a role on the YWCA Christchurch Board which provides emergency and transitional housing for women and children. Currently a director on the Police and Family Credit Union board, Gail is also on the Medical Council’s Performance Assessment Committee and Professional Conduct Committee.

    Gail has a Batchelor of Business Studies, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Professional Development and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management. She was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004.

  • Headshot of Julie Hands. A younger woman with long brown hair and brown eyes smiling excitedly toward the camera in front of a white background.

    Julie Hands

    Board Member

    Julie Hands has recently been appointed to the Brackenridge Board. With a lived experience of disability from supporting her sister who lives with an intellectual disability, Julie is passionate about Brackenridge's mission and supporting our people to lead their best lives.

    Professionally, Julie has a background in commercial and property law and is currently employed as Principal Legal Counsel at Hato Hone St John. She has extensive governance experience, having served on the board of not-for-profits, including Ronald McDonald House South Island. Julie is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing, Post-graduate Diploma in Finance and is currently undertaking a MBA.

    In her spare time, Julie enjoys getting out and exploring New Zealand, laying out her garden, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying the odd glass of wine

  • Headshot of Sir John Hansen. A man with white hair and beard smiling toward the camera in front of a white background.

    Sir John Hansen

    Board Member

    Sir John Hansen is the newest member of the Brackenridge Board and commenced his role in April 2022.

    Sir John Hansen was appointed a High Court Judge in 1995 and retired from the bench in 2008. In 2008, Sir John was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the judiciary.

    In March 2009, Sir John was appointed to the Court of Appeal of the Solomon Islands, and shortly after, to the Court of Appeals of Samoa. Sir John was the Convenor of the Canterbury Earthquake Review Panel, established under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, and appointed Chairman of Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha Canterbury in December 2019.

    Sir John Hansen is also a member of the Canterbury Cricket Trust, a Trustee of the Christchurch Casino Charitable Trust, a member of the Rulings Panel for the Gas Industry, a Trustee of the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust, and an appeals tribunal member of the Judicial Control Authority (JCA) for Racing. Alongside these commitments, he is also a Director and Shareholder of Dot Kiwi.