Chair

Jason is a fourth-generation Managing Director who leads a long-standing family retailing business with interests in retail properties and Mitre 10 MEGA stores in both Queenstown and Invercargill. He joined the H & J Smith Holdings Limited Board in 2003 and the Mitre 10 Board in 2017, and continues to actively pursue governance and development opportunities through the Institute of Directors and other professional programmes.

A passionate advocate for family-owned businesses, Jason is focused on long-term development that supports both people and the business, ensuring a strong foundation for future generations.

Director

Ross is a Partner at McCulloch and Partners, Chartered Accountants with offices in Invercargill, Queenstown and Te Anau.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and has held a number of roles including chairing the Practice Review Board, as a member of Council, Executive Board and was NZ President in 2011.  He is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors,

Ross is currently Chairman of Platinum Villas Queenstown, the Independent Chair of the Risk and Assurance Committee for Invercargill City Council and a ministerial appointment on the University of Otago Council, chairing the University’s Finance and Budget committee.

Outside of business, Ross actively participates in Masters cricket having played in tournaments in South Africa and the West Indies in recent years.

Director

Bridget Unsworth is the Operations Director at the Angel Association of New Zealand, where she supports those with an interest or involvement in early-stage investments. Prior to this, she was Investment Director at New Zealand Venture Investment Fund, and has worked for MVision Private Equity Advisers in London.

Bridget currently serves on the board of TracPlus Global, a provider of real-time asset-tracking solutions. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago.

Director

Fraser is the former CEO of Pioneer Energy and currently holds directorships with Mainpower NZ Ltd, Ecogas Ltd, and Southern Generation GP Ltd. He has over 25 years’ experience in the energy sector, beginning his career as an energy consultant in South Africa before moving to New Zealand. His experience spans the wider energy industry, including distribution, generation, retail, thermal, biomass, and waste to energy.

Director

Mel lives in Central Southland and is the financial controller at ILT Stadium Southland. Mel is also the manager of the Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust, owns a rural contracting business alongside her husband, is the chair of a local rural primary school, and was a director of Invercargill City Forest for four years. She was appointed to the Board as Community Trust South representative in 2022.

Chief Executive Officer

Prue is the Executive Officer at Invest South, collaborating closely with investee company management teams to support the execution of their strategic direction. Through deeply embedded regional relationships and national networks, she helps local businesses become more resilient and investment-ready, unlocking both commercial performance and lasting regional impact.

Prue brings extensive experience in business development, marketing, and general management across various industries, both in New Zealand and overseas. She holds a BA Hons from the University of Otago and an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington. She is an Executive Committee member of Angel Association New Zealand and a founding board member of both Mainland Angel Investors and COIN South. She is a director of SBS Bank and SBS Wealth.

Investment Analyst

Mia joined Invest South in 2025 and is involved in market research, financial due diligence, transaction execution, and portfolio company support. Originally from Murihiku, Mia is passionate about supporting the growth and success of businesses in the region. 

Before joining Invest South, Mia worked in the Corporate Finance team at PwC, where she gained experience in mergers & acquisitions and company valuations. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago, majoring in Finance and Economics, and has passed Level I of the CFA Program.