Dunedin student crowned Young Managing Director 2013

A Dunedin student has won the title of New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) Young Managing Director of the Year 2013 for her leadership of a team of student environmental entrepreneurs.

Sian English who is 18, is Managing Director of Otepoti Products established by eleven Dunedin Columba College students in February as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES). NZICA sponsors the Young Managing Director Award as part of the scheme.

Sian’s mantra was “to do well by doing good” and she led Otepoti Products to establish a profitable enterprise marketing and selling ‘Organamix and Organamix Plus’ – their own brand of liquid fish and seaweed fertilisers.

“Sian’s a natural leader who’s empowered and supported the team to achieve their business and community goals,” says NZICA Chief Operating Officer Kirsten Patterson. 

“Leading a team of eleven, Sian was passionate about creating a healthy working environment using and providing clarity around roles and responsibilities.”

Otepoti Products has delivered impressive returns to investors and donated 31% of their profits to the local Orokonui Ecosanctuary in keeping with their goal of giving back to the community. 

The judges were impressed with the innovative ideas of the team and how Sian managed the large team. 

 “At the start, we weren’t all school friends, so my focus was to build a united team to work on a meaningful enterprise we could all be proud of. The experience has given me a strong grasp of how businesses operate and all that entails from covering health and safety and copyright issues through to team management and financial reporting. I am keen to use my skills and pursue a career in project management,” says Sian. 

Sian receives a cash prize of $1000 and opportunities to mingle and network with the country’s top business leaders at the NZICA Leadership Awards in Auckland on 26 November.