Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to welcome a new face to the Startup Dunedin board - Mark Cartwright, Deputy Executive Director of the Industry Training and Innovation department at Otago Polytechnic.
Mark brings to the board a wealth of strategic leadership experience, as well as a deep appreciation for career and business growth. His own journey spans agriculture, construction, finance, and IT sales, with each new chapter shaped by big external shifts - including the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Originally from North Wales, Mark moved to Aotearoa 25 years ago and has called Dunedin home ever since. His career has taken him through agriculture, construction, finance, IT, and now, education.
When Mark first arrived in New Zealand, he retrained as a carpenter and worked in Dunedin’s construction sector. But when the Global Financial Crisis hit, he was forced to pivot, and that led to a new role in Christchurch. While there, he began to study leadership - a decision that became a major turning point. He eventually completed an Executive MBA through Massey University, deepening his understanding of leadership and governance, and sparking an interest in innovation and strategic decision-making.
He later launched his own small business, even coming through one of Startup Dunedin’s free 15 minute check-ins, but like many ventures, it was impacted by the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. That experience, while tough, gave Mark further insight into the realities of starting up in uncertain conditions.
Today, he holds a senior strategic leadership role at Otago Polytechnic, focused on growth, community connection, and stakeholder engagement. These are areas that align closely with Startup Dunedin’s mahi, and his appointment to the board strengthens that bridge between education and entrepreneurship. On this, Mark says “I am looking forward to applying my senior strategic leadership experience to the board and my passion for innovation. My current role at Otago Polytechnic has a strong growth, community and stakeholder engagement focus which I hope will be helpful to the board”.
Mark sees Dunedin as a city with massive potential - a place where strong educational institutions and a generous, community-driven culture make it ideal for turning ideas into action. Mark says “we have a community culture of helping others out and getting things done which lays a solid foundation for kicking off new ideas” - we could not agree more.