Gavin Lennox
CEO

Gavin leads the Nextspace team as it works towards creating a vibrant 3D visualisation industry that makes complex 3D data accessible, easy-to-use and interactive in a range of applications.  Under his leadership Nextspace is creating a global advantage for New Zealand in 3D visualisation through developing new commercial markets, education and research. With extensive experience in general management, sales, marketing and service operations, he is committed to taking Nextspace from start-up to a self-sustaining organisation.

Gavin has successfully led and grown software and technology businesses and brings an international business perspective having lived and worked on three continents. Before joining Nextspace, Gavin was Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, for Healthphone, a global healthcare software company founded in New Zealand. Prior to that, he spent five years with MapInfo Corporation in a variety of senior international roles. This gave him valuable experience in commercial applications for visual data and its integration with business processes.

Gavin holds a Masters of Engineering and Bachelor of Science from Brunel University, UK.

Brenda Frisk
Business Development Director

Brenda is responsible for Nextspace’s business development and education strategies. Under her direction Nextspace is working with leading businesses; as well as primary, intermediate, secondary school communities and tertiary institutions to up-skill teachers and give students access to the latest technology.

Brenda has extensive experience in both the commercial and education communities and has worked with digital technology from secondary to tertiary to adult education. She is a passionate and committed educational leader who has presented and facilitated workshops over the years throughout North America, Africa, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Before moving to New Zealand from Canada in 2005, Brenda owned her own digital design company and developed a successful digital multimedia programme for high schools. She holds a Masters degree in Communication and Technology, Bachelor degrees in both Education and Human Ecology, vocational certification in adult education and numerous digital media certifications. In 2005, she received the SMARTer Kids Foundation Innovative use of Technology Award for Alberta, Canada, for her work in multimedia and education.

Richard Simpson 
Business Development Director

Richard is responsible for Nextspace’s business development focusing on Commercial and Research strategies.

Richard’s experience in this technology stems from 30 years ago when he first discovered 3D computer graphics programming at the University of Otago.  He went on to become an early pioneer in the New Zealand’s computer graphics industry founding one of the first companies devoted to the development and application of 3D design, simulation and visualisation technology.  He successfully expanded this business internationally and received recognition with export achievement awards. 

His project experience includes lead roles in the original design team for Auckland’s Sky Tower, 3D animation for television and film, and some of the largest urban infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the telecommunications and utilities sectors.  His career has been largely international, focusing mostly in SE Asia, Japan, China, Australia and North America.

He was recently appointed to the Digital Earth Scientific Board, and also serves on the editorial board for the International Journal for the Digital Earth.  Prior to joining Nextspace, he was the Business and Innovation Manager for the Bioengineering Institute at the University of Auckland and engaged in the commercialisaton of initiatives derived from outcomes of the Physiome project.

Richard is passionate about 3D visualisation, and has a good understanding of many industries where its potential can be transformational.

Stephen Long
Project and Operations Director

Stephen is responsible for providing pre-sales technical support and ensuring that projects are delivered on time. Prior to joining Nextspace, Stephen worked for world-leading graphical communication solutions provider Right Hemisphere as its Development Manager. As a key member of their team, he helped grow the business and improve the efficiency delivery and quality of the Right Hemisphere products. Previous to Right Hemisphere Stephen ran his own company as software reseller for Intergraph’s 2D CAD software and spent 13 years working for various departments of Auckland Electric Power Board and later Mercury Energy on a number of multimillion dollar engineering projects.