Personnel

After completing an economics degree, Jules Croft worked in the banking sector as a Research Economist before joining a private sector organisation representing the interests of manufacturers and exporters.  During this five-year period, Mr Croft represented companies before commissions of inquiry and other statutory bodies on trade related matters.  He also developed a wide range of governmental contacts, which often resulted in providing advice directly to Cabinet members and other elected representatives.  Since 1984 Mr Croft has been involved in advising companies on trade problems and trade and public policy issues.  He has concentrated on the interaction of trade and competition legislation with particular emphasis on anti-dumping and countervailing.  His skills in economic and financial analysis have been used in litigation support and to provide solutions to clients faced with addressing price and non-price competition.  He has also specialised in general impediments to trade.  He was responsible for the US Department of Commerce accepting a different approach to the calculation of subsidies, which has had direct benefits for New Zealand exporters.  An extensive exposure to industry has included shipbuilding, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, automotive components, steel, and fabricated engineering.  Advising on the dispute settlement procedures within the WTO has also formed part of Mr Croft’s practice.  Advising companies and industries on regional trading arrangements particularly within the context of APEC, other trade blocs and the EU has resulted in Mr Croft providing input into companies involved with international markets. 

Jeff Blackburn has had a close involvement with Customs and other trade related legislation since graduating with degrees in commerce and law.  Following a period working as a commercial lawyer, he has spent twenty-five years providing advice to companies on Customs and trade-related issues. He has developed an expertise in anti-dumping, Customs valuation, transfer pricing, rules of origin, and other regulatory barriers to trade.  This has included assisting New Zealand exporters with regulatory problems in Australia and the United States.  Mr Blackburn’s practice in regulatory affairs has included representing clients before a variety of Parliamentary Select Committees.

Mr Blackburn has also carried out assignments for the Forum Secretariat in the Pacific Islands as part of a Consortium.  This work has involved engagement with officials and private sector people in the majority of the Pacific Islands and the subsequent completion of reports for consideration by Ministers.

Jenny O'Donnell has been involved in trade advisory work since 1986.  Ms O'Donnell's detailed knowledge of the policy and administrative practice relating to the entry into Australia and New Zealand of goods has resulted in reduced duty liability and substantial duty refunds.  In advising companies on the different thresholds required to comply with preferential entry into New Zealand and Australia she has put in place strategies to ensure the success of rationalisation proposals.  Responsible for the research element in a wide range of economic and financial analysis she has been involved in the development of numerous projects relating to the pricing behaviour of competitors.  A specialist interest in the regulation of the food and pharmaceutical industries has been of valuable assistance to the firm's clients.