Des is an entrepreneur, experienced company director, funds manager and investor, with skills in mentoring and growing successful international businesses.

Passionate about business and innovation, Des works with both the private and public sectors in research and development, commercialisation and growth across many industries including science, technology, intellectual property management and finance. Des facilitates and leads organisational start-ups, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.

He has served as a non-executive director for numerous New Zealand listed and privately-held enterprises.

In 2009, Des formed boutique investment and merchant bank, Seymour Group Limited, which he continues to lead as Managing Director.

Des qualified with an MSc in Chemistry from the University of Auckland (1978). He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Directors in 1994.