About Us.

About The Firm

Our Story

Russell Drake Consulting Ltd was founded in 2010 by Russell. Having spent a number of years working in the corporate world gaining experience and knowledge of the operational and organisational workings of different businesses, along with his university qualification, Russell was inspired to forge a new career path, and decided it was time to go it alone.

In October of that same year, the opportunity presented itself to purchase the EMA licence for the Waikato, increasing the client base by 100%.

At the beginning of 2011, looking for a career change, Linda-Maree resigned from her position as a Critical Care Nurse in ICU at Waikato Hospital to work full-time in the business to assist with business development, putting in place systems and processes to enable greater efficiency and room for future growth.

Over the next two years the business continued to grow at a rate of 20% year on year, through new client acquisition and profitability, establishing itself as a recognisable company within the Waikato business community providing practical, legally compliant employment solutions and advice to employers.

Between 2013 and 2018, the company has continued to grow and establish itself as a leading Employment Relations and HR Company. Its growth has been substantial, providing expert advice and support to just under 1000 business owners across New Zealand.

Linda-Maree and Russell have extensive knowledge in business which they utilise to support their clients in all ER & HR decisions.

In 2018 a review of the business operational model saw us leaning towards employing legally trained staff as we continue to expand our team. Our growth will focus on the development of new products for our clients and utilising social media platforms to communicate what we offer to the market.

The last 4 years have been a challenge with epidemics, the current political climate and the changing face of business towards a more moral, ethical basis to why a client will choose to work with your business. Social media has also become an important aspect to marketing, more so than any other time along with the continued adoption of technology. These last two components of business will continue to be important drivers behind any strategy that is adopted.

Our team continues to grow with future plans to increase our market share and increase the resources we have to meet this demand.

 

 

We look forward to an exciting future as one of the country’s leading Employment Relations and HR firms, exclusively helping business owners, as we continue to grow and develop our services to meet the needs of new and existing clients.

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Meet Our Professionals

Russell Drake Director / Employment Relations Consultant

Russell Drake

NZBS, BMin, DipSocSci, BA (psych) HRINZ, ARI, IODNZ and ELINZ

Director/Employment Relations Consultant

Russell’s professional career has seen him move from a production manufacturing / importing – exporting environment to holding key senior management roles within the professional services (law and chartered accounting) and corporate (Carter Holt Harvey) sectors.

Russell’s employment relations expertise has seen him work both as an independent mediator and as Advocate for the Employer in all forums from the Workplace and Mediation Services to the Employment Authority and Employment Court. Russell holds membership of the Employment Law Institute as an experienced Mediator and is a Chartered Member of the Human Resource Institute of New Zealand.

Russell established Russell Drake Consulting Group in April 2010 and in November 2010 purchased the Employment Relations Contracting Licence for the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) Inc. Russell Drake Consulting now provides services on behalf of the EMA to members within the greater Waikato region.

Throughout his career Russell has worked on the business development side of organisations (managing Master Franchise operations) and has provided a variety of consulting services for small to medium sized enterprises, as well as being project manager for several large-scale change management initiatives.

Governance Roles

●      Aspire Community Support

●      Advanced Fitness

●      Community Living Trust

●      CSC Buying Group

Russell also acts on the Advisory Board of Several commercial enterprises.

Professional Memberships

●      NZ Institute of Directors

●      Human Resource Institute of New Zealand

●      Resolution Institute

●      Employment Law Institute

Education

●      Bachelor of Arts – Industrial / Organisational Psychology (Honours)

●      Post Graduate Diploma – Social Sciences (Psychology)

●      Bachelor of Ministries – Counselling and Maori Studies

●      Opra Psychometric Profiling Accredited

●      New Zealand Certificate in Business Studies

●      New Zealand Trade Certificate

You can contact Russell on mob 021 686 621 or email russell@russelldrakeconsulting.co.nz

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Linda-Maree Drake Director/ General Manager

Linda-Maree Drake

MBA

Business and Management Consultant/Recruitment/  

Linda-Maree’s professional career has seen her move from a professional health care background to holding senior operational roles within privately owned Companies and Corporate Entities, to becoming a successful Business and Management Consultant.

After working with clients for a number of years, and concentrating on the growth of Russell Drake Consulting, Linda-Maree is now focusing her time on developing Russell Drake Consulting particularly in social media marketing and finances. Our motto has always been to constantly improve our business across all areas, constantly reviewing and assessing how we can do things better for our staff and our clients.

Education

  • Comprehensively trained Registered Nurse
  • MBA – Masters of Business Administration
  • Employment Relations Management (EMA Certificate, (Massey Paper)

You can contact Linda-Maree on mob 021 686 227 or email linda-maree@russelldrakeconsulting.co.nz

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Ursula Pruden Personal Assistant/Finance and Administration

Ursula Pruden

Behind every successful company is an effective administrator and Ursula fulfils this role within our business. From that friendly voice you first encounter on a call to us, to the welcoming greeting you receive when you visit our office, Ursula is the valuable resource that the Consultants require to assist them in navigating their way through their busy days.

Additional Skills

  • Speaks fluent German
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Jana Laxon Senior Employment Relations Consultant

Jana Laxon

CIPD, HRINZ

SeniorEmployment Relations Consultant

Jana has a strong career in HR Management with high profile companies in the UK. Having emigrated to New Zealand from London in 2019 she is now fully versed in NZ Employment practices and legislation.

Holding professional qualifications in human resources Jana is experienced in all aspects of the HR/Recruitment services and has, as an internal HR advisor within various business environments, seen the HR function grow substantially as her employer’s business grew from an initial 25 employees to well in excess of 300 staff.

Within her new role Jana focuses on providing a full range of HR/ER Services to clients.

You can contact Jana on mob 027 616 3226 or email jana@russelldrakeconsulting.co.nz

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Shiv
Shivnal Gounder Graduate/Junior Employment Relations Consultant

Shivnal Gounder

LLB, Enrolled Solicitor and Barrister of the New Zealand High Court

Shiv is highly motivated and always willing to learn all aspects of Legal, HR and NZ Employment Practices and Legislation.

Shiv has gained knowledge, skills and experience in Management and Business during his previous careers, he will utilise those skills and assets along with his Major in Law and Minor in Sociology to assist with any Employment issue.

Within his new role, Shiv focuses on providing a various range of ER Services to clients.

 

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Annaliese Drake Social Media Consultant

Annaliese Drake

Bachelors of Business - Marketing

Annaliese graduated in 2021 with her Bachelors in Marketing from the University of Waikato. Throughout her degree she worked for RDC working on the Social Media and eDMs, and has stayed on as a consultant while she pursues her marketing degree in Auckland. 

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Mariska Boshoff Employment Relations Consultant

Mariska Boshoff

Mariska has a solid IR consulting background and has also worked with international companies in South Africa as an inhouse advisor.

Having emigrated to New Zealand in 2022 she is now fully versed in NZ Employment practices and legislation.

Holding a legal qualification (LLB) Mariska is proficient in all aspects of Employment Relations. Moreover, having worked in companies with a 1000+ workforce, Mariska understands the necessity for practical complaint solutions well for small businesses to corporate entities.

Within her role, Mariska focuses on providing a various range of ER Services to clients.

You can contact Russell on X07 838 0018 or email mariska@russelldrakeconsulting.co.nz

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Our friendly, knowledgeable and efficient team is standing by to answer your HR and Employment Relations queries.

Call now for an obligation-free conversation to discuss your needs. We are proud to service employers across New Zealand and Australian business owners who have divisions in NZ.

Call 0800 470124
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