Our 2025 judging team
Gillian Taylor
Gillian has judged awards for over 20 years. Her understanding of franchising stems from her consulting work, plus working with FANZ on the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards and, more recently, the Australian Franchise Industry Awards.
Ann Saunders
Ann is a highly experienced business awards judge, who joined the NZ Franchise Awards judging team 4 years ago. She knows what it takes to enter and win, having been a supreme business award winner.
Chris Reid
Having founded and run multiple successful Franchise businesses, Chris has a strong understanding of the industry. He also has many years’ experience judging Business and Franchise Awards.
Divya Pahwa
This year is Divya’s second year as a FANZ Judge. She has extensive experience in providing business advisory and consulting services to franchise clients from an accounting and tax perspective.
Garry Croft
Garry has over 25 years in the franchising sector across several international systems, working as a franchisee, franchisor and consultant. In recent years he has been a judge in the NZ and Australian Franchise Awards.
Paul Brown
Paul has nearly 20 years involved in franchising as a Franchisor, Mentor, past FANZ Board Member, and a judge in both NZ and Australian Franchise Awards.
Rachel McDonald
A registered Trade Marks Attorney (NZ and AU) with over 20 years’ experience, Rachel has judged awards for many years, as well as assisting Franchise clients with intellectual property issues.
Dean Madsen
In his 40-year career with Westpac NZ, Dean spent the last 20 years as a Banking Specialist in the franchise sector, before retiring. He is a past FANZ Board member, and more recently a judge on the FANZ Awards.
Simon Lord
Simon has over 40 years’ experience in franchising (UK and NZ). He founded Franchise New Zealand media in 1992, reporting on FANZ awards from 1995-2023. Having now sold his business and no longer actively working in franchising, he has joined our judging team.
Ingrid van Rijn
Ingrid is a newcomer to the Franchise Awards. She has experience with judging at the Effie Awards and the Research Effectiveness Awards, having been part of the market research industry for many years.
