ILANZ Committee Spotlight - Kurt Holmes
Kurt Holmes, Senior Commercial Manager in the General Counsel’s Office at Chorus
How did you come to work in-house, and what is your current role?
What do you hope to achieve as a ILANZ Committee member?
How did you come to work in-house, and what is your current role?After graduating at the turn of the millennium, I wanted the opportunity to utilise both my law and commerce degrees. Other than a stint temping in
London law firms during my OE, I’ve spent my career in corporate organisations performing legal and
commercial roles in Europe, Asia and Australia. This time spent overseas allowed me the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and alternative ways of thinking. My current role is Senior Commercial Manager in the General Counsel’s Office at Chorus, an organisation which is a natural fit for me given that my background to date has primarily been in the ICT sector.
London law firms during my OE, I’ve spent my career in corporate organisations performing legal and
commercial roles in Europe, Asia and Australia. This time spent overseas allowed me the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and alternative ways of thinking. My current role is Senior Commercial Manager in the General Counsel’s Office at Chorus, an organisation which is a natural fit for me given that my background to date has primarily been in the ICT sector.
To help raise awareness of the fantastic opportunities that ILANZ provides to our members in terms of education, networking, and social events. Also, to promote a wider understanding of the variety of career paths available within corporate and government organisations for those with a legal background. My current role includes chairing governance forums, allowing me to influence change and deliver real outcomes that provide a better experience for the company and our customers. This involvement in governance inspired me to put myself forward to the serve on the ILANZ Committee, and I look forward to being of service to the Committee and the wider ILANZ community over the coming years.
What is a career highlight so far?
The greatest sense of accomplishment I’ve experienced in my career is becoming a people leader. It’s an ongoing learning experience (especially understanding and putting into practice the need to be a coach rather than simply a manager) and something that I find to be deeply rewarding.
Quick-fire questions:
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be? Fly-fishing guide!
When I'm not working, I'm... Driving my daughters to various dancing events around town. Other than that, I’m an avid reader of non-fiction books (autobiographies, history, etc).
Go-to holiday destination in New Zealand? Although it’s a bit of an effort to get there from Auckland, I love spending time in the Wairarapa - fishing on the Rumamahunga river, diving the coast at Tora or wandering around the hills.
What is a career highlight so far?
The greatest sense of accomplishment I’ve experienced in my career is becoming a people leader. It’s an ongoing learning experience (especially understanding and putting into practice the need to be a coach rather than simply a manager) and something that I find to be deeply rewarding.
Quick-fire questions:
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be? Fly-fishing guide!
When I'm not working, I'm... Driving my daughters to various dancing events around town. Other than that, I’m an avid reader of non-fiction books (autobiographies, history, etc).
Go-to holiday destination in New Zealand? Although it’s a bit of an effort to get there from Auckland, I love spending time in the Wairarapa - fishing on the Rumamahunga river, diving the coast at Tora or wandering around the hills.