About us

Grow HR was started in 2006 by Murray Cowan who saw a need for such a service in Hawkes Bay, and he was joined shortly after by fellow directors Sue Whiteley and Dave Robb.

Together with one full-time HR consultant and two specialist contractors, the Grow HR team are highly-qualified Human Resources, Employee Relations and Occupational Safety and Health professionals with hands-on experience in a wide range of business settings.

As well as their passion for people and business performance, the team also share a liking for adventurous outdoor pursuits and good coffee.

GrowHR are proud to support various philanthropic causes both locally and nationally including sponsership to Project K and Oxfam New Zealand.  In addition, the team at GrowHR actively participate in a number of Boards on a volunteer basis; Koru Youth Trust, Hohepa Homes Hawkes Bay, Whatever it Takes Trust and Birthright Hawkes Bay Child and Family Care.

Murray Cowan     Murray Cowan - Director
Murray has a record of success throughout his career as an HR specialist, with over 20 years experience in management roles within the service and manufacturing sectors. He has taken a lead role in business turnarounds and business performance improvement, and is particularly talented in assessing and developing people management process, practices and systems to ensure people perform well and deliver results.   
     
Sue Whiteley Sue Whiteley - Director
Sue has 20 years experience in all aspects of HR and has extensive knowledge of how to build a culture of high performance within large and small organisations. A natural trainer, Sue ensures people have fun while learning and that lessons learnt are translated into an actual change in performance. She also excels in the development of pay and benefits solutions which are closely aligned to performance improvement.
   
Dave Robb Dave Robb - Director
Dave has spent over 20 years dealing with all aspects of disciplinary and performance management process, restructuring, employment law and employment agreements. He has extensive experience in personal grievance and dispute resolution. Dave deals with difficult situations in a straight-forward and practical way. He has led collective bargaining in unionised environments and manages the process to get the right deal for employers while ensuring a constructive relationship with staff and unions throughout.