The Board

 About the Trust

Set up in 2009, SixStar is funded by the Philanthropic Charitable Trust - a group of New Zealand hospitality industry leaders who want to help create more stars to raise professional standards and take the industry forward.

These industry leaders oversee SixStar's Selection Committee which, along with senior staff, assesses applications and manages the scholarship awards process.

More about our history and purpose is outlined in our vision our vision.

The Philanthropic Charitable Trust's current Board Members are listed on the Charities Commission website.

The Trust Board

  • Rod Lingard - Chair

    Rod Lingard is a professional director and business consultant with extensive experience across all sectors of the economy. As a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, his governance focus has been primarily on not-for-profit organisations. Rod is also chair of Pub Charity Limited, a major community funder.
    In his private capacity, Rod chairs The Olive Press Limited, a Wairarapa-based producer of premium quality olive oils and family business he shares with his partner Katrina and brother Garry.
    In his spare time, Rod loves to walk, fish, hunt and indulge his passions for fine wine, food, music and travel.

  • Gerrard Wilson

    Gerrard is a Nelson based governance professional who sits on a number of boards in the Te Tauihu, Wellington and Whanganui involved in investment, banking and logistics.

    He has had a diverse career, with his background primarily in commercial property, but with prior experience in tourism and engineering.

    He is a member of the Institute of Directors.


  • Janet Selwood

    Janet has a commercial background in the telecommunications and postal sectors, with experience across a range of areas including strategy, business performance, financial management, business and market analysis, operational management and large-scale change/transformation programmes.

    She is committed to helping others develop to their full potential and is delighted to support the Six Star programme

  • Clare Davies

    Managing Director of Capstone Hotel Management; a 100% New Zealand owned Hotel Management company which manages and oversees 14 accommodation businesses in some of the most beautiful locations throughout New Zealand.

    Clare’s experience extends from running successful food & beverage operations, to hotel ownership and hands-on management, from boutique high end lodges to large hotels. A major contributor to local and regional tourism throughout her career Clare held the role of National President for Hospitality NZ between 2017-2019 and currently sits on the National Board.

  • Daniel Fleming


    Daniel is the General Manager and co-owner of luxury boutique hotel King & Queen Hotel Suites, New Plymouth. He is currently Chair of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the West End Precinct and a New Zealand Chambers of Commerce board member.

    Previously Daniel was a Director at Taranaki’s polytechnic WITT and spent his early hotel years working in management roles with international hotel companies Sheraton, Millennium and IHG. A passionate hotel advocate, community leader and past graduate of hotel school PIHMS.