NRF Board

Gina Mills - Chair - Appointed 2019

Director, Ernst & Young

Gina is a Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years of international experience in tax, innovation, strategy and transformation. She has a passion for people and culture and is an award-winning advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Darren White - Appointed 2024

Darren has recently established his own business consulting practice after a career of 35+ years with Ernst & Young, where he was most recently the country leader for the Private Enterprise team.  He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and member of the Institute of Directors.

Darren has played for North Shore United AFC for many years, where he has also been a junior and youth coach and referee for girls' and boys' teams, and member and treasurer of the club committee.

David Williams - Elected 2024      

A 20 year member of Birkenhead United, including serving as President between 2019 and 2023, David led United through the COVID pandemic and as a FIFA WWC 2023 training base for the Italian team, leaving a legacy of facility upgrades for the club. 

David has worked professionally in the venue and events business, nationally and internationally, for over 35 years. This includes production of some of NZ’s top local and international festivals for more than twney years, developing strong mediation and business skills, including negotiating with international promoters and professional football clubs to achieve profitable and sustainable commercial outcomes.

Haider Khan - Co-opted 2024

Head of Professional Services – Kambium Consulting Ltd

Haider brings extensive governance experience to the NRF Board, having served on multiple boards across various sectors. With a strong background in strategic planning and leadership, Haider has been instrumental in driving organizational success and fostering sustainable growth. 

They hold an LL.B Honours degree from The University of London, Queen Mary College,  and have completed numerous professional development courses in governance and leadership. Haider is also actively involved in community service, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and ethical governance.

Hone Fowler  - Appointed 2021

Co-founder, Chairperson, overseeing club governance and general management of Manukau United Football Club and Senior advisor community engagement.

Hone is committed to making football accessible to all and creating elite pathways in the sport. As a player, Hone was centre back and captain for Manukau United FC.

Jennifer Pickering - Elected 2022    

 Club Secretary and Administrator at Paihia Football Club

Jennifer Pickering, Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Wai descent of Te Tai Tokerau, is very passionate about her culture, people, community and a proud Northland representative.

Involved in the code for 26 years, Jennifer has held a number of roles behind the scenes from Treasurer, President, and Committee Member to Administrator and Secretary for Paihia Football Club and Bay Cosmos FC. She commenced coaching in 2011 and advocates strongly for grassroots programs in Mid-Far North.

Jennifer has progressed through the grades currently coaching High School first 11 for Bay of Islands College, U17 Mixed for Paihia and Women’s for Paihia for the 2023 season. She has also started coaching at a national level through Aotearoa Māori Football with the u16 North Island Girls in January 2023 and U18 NZ Māori Girls who will be competing in Auckland vs Hawaii, Kanaka Powawae in the Clash of the Cultures in July 2023.  

Jennifer is a Ford Football Women in Leadership Program-graduate and was nominated for the Ford Football Women Coaches Program in 2022. Jennifer is also a busy mum of four and works in community education through Ngāti Hine Health Trust, creating programs for tamariki and whanau.

Jennifer was recognised recently as Te Tohu Kaiwhakahaere (Sports Administrator Award) in March 2023 and is a panel member representing Māori on the Sisters of Country, Whanau by sea and sky for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. 

Jo Redfern-Hardisty - Appointed 2023       

 Communications & Marketing Manager · Aktive - Auckland Sport & Recreation

Jo works as a communications specialist for Akitive, a key strategic partner of Sport NZ, Auckland Council and major grant makers and funders, after several years in corporate roles, including McDonalds NZ and Westpac. She supports her daughters' school and club football teams as a parent and manager. 

Keith Maddison - Elected 2022

Professional Quantity Surveyor working with professional firms in London UK and Wellington & Auckland NZ and Director at Vinjam Holdings. 

Keith has led projects like Council social housing, housing and facilities for special needs elderly and disabled people and schools, including new builds and refurbishment.   

Keith has been a player, coach, referee, administrator and committee member at Western Springs AFC and supported the clubroom construction project.

Simon Hilton - Deputy Chair | Co-opted 

Executive Director, Oxygen Global Ltd

An Entrepreneur and experienced Executive Leader, with a career of establishing, building and growing companies both domestically and internationally.  Working primarily in Engineering, Marketing, Loyalty and Payments.

Simon managed the NZ Mens U17s Team in 2017 and was All Whites Manager from 2019-2022.  Currently Simon is the Eastern Suburbs AFC Chairman.