Our People
FIVE GENERATIONS
In our family, lanolin is in the veins. That's why we're still here more than a century after our descendant William H Smith first arrived on this whenua. Diversifying and evolving our business across the past five generations, we remain family-owned and operated, proud custodians of this east coast land.
Henry Hansen — CEODuring the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, Henry Hansen initiated group discussions to examine the future of the family business. Conscious of a growing despondency amongst strong wool farmers and a waning industry, the idea of Wisewool was formed. Now, Henry leads our business as we strive to initiate change and bring the wool industry back to its best. Driven by a passion for our people and an unwavering belief in our products, he is a champion for sustainability. Having worked in the family business since leaving school at 17, Henry is now guiding Wisewool into a new era and continuing our family legacy for future generations.
Nicky Hansen — Innovation & NPDEver since the seeds of Wisewool were planted in 2020, Nicky Hansen has been exploring the opportunities and possibilities of our super fibre. As lead of innovation and product development, Nicky works with our machinists to develop new ideas and applications for Wisewool. She also oversees quality assurance, monitoring Wisewool’s high standards. Nicky is a formidable advocate for wool and is determined to reeducate the world on its remarkable natural properties while simultaneously incentivising wool growers to persevere with nature’s super fibre.
Harry Urquhart-Hay — Sales & MarketingAs a great-great-grandson of W H Smith, wool is in Harry’s blood. Having forged a successful career in advertising locally and in the United Kingdom, Harry left the industry to found an audio startup. Bringing that entrepreneurial nous to Wisewool, he leads our sales and marketing. Promoting Wisewool’s superior natural properties, sustainability and ongoing support for the local farming community, Harry is our commercial voice in a stand against synthetics.
Angus Hansen — OperationsAngus Hansen leads Wisewool operations. A great-great-grandson to W H Smith, he was drawn into the family business after completing his bachelor's of supply chain management & business management with honours. Sharing our passion for rebuilding the strong wool industry, he is dedicated to growing the company in the Tairāwhiti region. As Wisewool expands, his role evolves, so Angus approaches his work with the flexibility a successful startup deserves.
Frank Janssen – ChairmanFrank Janssen joined Wisewool in 2021, bringing an independent perspective to our family business. With extensive experience governing startups and leading numerous family companies, he contributes a unique skill set to our innovative agricultural field. Championing our company values and driving strategy, Frank also provides a clear commercial voice for Wisewool. Ultimately, his goal remains in line with ours: increasing wool value and creating revenue opportunities for our growers.
Raechel Laing — Textiles ConsultantWe are honoured to have Professor Raechel Laing overseeing Wisewool's textile department. As one of Aotearoa's leading textile academics and a professor emeritus at the University of Otago, Raechel applies her specialist experience to overseeing our science and innovation team, deftly guiding us through Wisewool's international testing standards.
Mike Tattersall — EngineerWisewool’s Lead Engineer, Mike Tattersall, comes from a dairy background. But in 2003, he changed tack by purchasing a small card system and hasn’t looked back. Diversifying into needle-punched blanketing and wool mat production in 2006, Mike flexed his Kiwi ingenuity and engineering nous to redesign components of the machinery. It was an innovative approach, and an international manufacturer took notice, quickly acquiring the prototype machine.
Samantha O'Connell — MarketingThere's a theme that runs across Sam O'Connell's career as a digital marketing specialist; she's drawn to working with innovative start-ups and social enterprises. Sam refines their messaging and expands their reach by applying her strategic marketing expertise to these well-intended businesses. Though based in Auckland, her work has transversed the globe, and now we're proud to have her focusing those skills on the Wisewool message. An authentic campaigner for change, Sam's spare time is spent on her own not-for-profit & social enterprise.
Patrick Hickley — DesignerPatrick Hickley makes us look good. This creative multi-hyphenate is the accomplished designer, videographer and photographer responsible for bringing the Wisewool branding to life. Working across our website, brand content and other communications, Patrick has been with us since the beginning of our journey, evolving our look and feel as we grow.
Meet the Farmers
At the heart of the Wisewool journey is our network of 200+ farmers. Spread across the wider Gisborne region, we've been working with some of these families for over 120 years.George and Emma Mcildowie, Totangi Station.The Mcildowie family has been farming Gisborne's Totangi station since 1907. As longtime campaigners for wool's unbeatable natural qualities, George and Emma divide the farm between sheep and cattle, clipping and collecting over 60,000 kilograms of wool annually. "Sheep have been at the core of our business, and the coarse wool of the Romney breed is a tried and tested survivor of the decades," says George. "We wholeheartedly believe that wool will return to its rightful place among our everyday modern lives and reestablish itself as a premium and primary fibre."
Henry and Sofie Gaddum, Kōtare StationJust an hour's drive inland from central Gisborne in the Matawai district, Kōtare Station has been owned and run by the Gaddum family for three generations. Now in the capable hands of Henry and Sofie, the pair are demonstrating how to farm profitably and sustainably, in a manner that safeguards the land for future generations. Along with its role as a valuable Wisewool supplier, Kōtare Station has been working with Toha, a social enterprise focused on environmental regeneration in Aotearoa.
Fraser and Jamie Tombleson, Aerial StationAerial Station is a sheep and cattle farm set across 1006 hectares of rolling hill country. Supplying its exceptional Romdale fleece exclusively to Wisewool, the Tomblesons ship the rest of their lamb products offshore to international supermarkets, requiring them to uphold the highest standards in farming practices. But they're not resting on their laurels. The pair is currently in the process of verifying Aerial Station as an officially recognised regenerative farm. "We have a goal of working towards being economically and environmentally sustainable," Fraser explains. "The ultimate goal is to pass the farm to the next generation”.
