Management Team:
Mark Finlay – Managing Director
Father, family man, and ex-All Black Mark Finlay has a first-hand understanding of the worries and concerns that parents face when using a childcare facility. With six children aged between 2 and 16, Mark and his partner Karen understand the guilt that so many parents face when using childcare. “I drop our two year old daughter, Savannah, at the Lollipops Educare Centre in Mairangi Bay. She loves the place to bits which makes me feel better, although I still feel that guilt of leaving my child in someone else’s care. But I know how important quality early childhood education is and as a parent, I believe that Lollipops Educare is the best available. Mark graduated from Massey University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Education. He developed and managed Lollipops Educare in Takapuna from 2002 – 2004 and bought the Lollipops Educare Group in 2004.
“Lollipops Educare is about families. We’re here to help mums and dads give their children the best start in life possible.”
Contact Details:
Email: mark@lollipopseducare.co.nz
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Paula Hawkings – National Operations Manager
As mum to three children, Paula Hawkings has an innate understanding of what parents need and want from a childcare centre. Paula joined the Lollipops team as National Operations Manager in 2004 and has been overseeing the management and operations of each Lollipops Educare centre since. Prior to her current position, Paula worked with early childhood professional development provider, Hana Clannad where she provided professional development support and opportunities to 40 childcare centres throughout Auckland. With a Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education), Paula has also worked as a Centre Director in Australia as well as supporting the set up of various centres with other childcare companies. She also spent 18 months setting up Christchurch’s Addington branch of Lollipops Educare. When Paula is away from work, she enjoys spending time with her children and husband Tony who is also the manager of Lollipops Educare in Mairangi Bay.
“Lollipops Educare is a great company to work for. I love the fact that Lollipops is a family focused business with children at its very heart. I’m really enjoying growing my skills with a company that is developing and thriving.”
Contact Details:
Mobile: 021 466 391
Email: paula@lollipopseducare.co.nz
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Beverley Gordon – Financial Controller
Lollipops Educare’s Financial Controller, Beverly Gordon, has a long history in providing financial expertise within New Zealand businesses. Beverley has most recently spent several years with 2 Degrees Mobile where she managed finances while the new mobile network launched in New Zealand. Prior to this, Beverley spent 16 years with TVNZ as the Finance Manager for the Technology, New Media-Emerging Business, TV on Demand, and the TVNZ Archive divisions. Beverley is responsible for timely and accurate financial reporting to Lollipops Educare’s Board and to the director/s of each Lollipops centre. She holds a Bachelor of Business, a Diploma in Management and is an Associated Chartered Accountant and Member of the Institute of NZ Chartered Accountants.
Contact Details:
Mobile: 022 234 2345
Email: beverleyg@lollipopseducare.co.nz
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Andy Scott – Director/Shareholder
With an MBA from Stanford University and a Masters Degree in Finance from Auckland University, Andy Scott is no stranger to success in business. As a dad of three great kids, Andy also knows children begin learning how to be successful - in whatever they choose in life - from a very young age. Andy currently sits on numerous boards including 2degrees, Eircom Holdings Ltd, Partners in Life Science and Ring 2. In 1998 Andy founded the very successful London-based Communications Venture Partners Ltd (CVP). Prior to founding CVP, Andy worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the Telecommunications and Media Team where he focused on investing in cellular networks around Eastern Europe and Russia. When he’s away from the fast moving world of investments and finance, Andy takes every opportunity to spend time with his kids and enjoy leisure time on the ski-fields, windsurfing and playing a few tunes on the guitar.
“Lollipops Educare is part of a fascinating industry that contributes to the intellectual development of the next generations of high performing New Zealanders – something that I’m very passionate about!”
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