Whanganui OfficePhysical Address: 11 Park Place, Whanganui
Postal Address: PO Box 4003, Whanganui, 4541 Finance Division Phone: (06) 349 0903 Fax: (06) 345 0713 Email: whanganui@educationservices.co.nz Property Division Phone: (06) 349 0902 Email: property@educationservices.co.nz |
Steven Whittaker - Regional Manager/Associate General Manager

Steve has been with the company since July 1994 and moved from the New Plymouth office in July 2001 to become the foundation Regional Manager in Rotorua. In November 2016 he moved from Rotorua to become the Whanganui Regional Manager. Steve holds a NZ Diploma in Business and is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (ACA). Steve’s role is to provide a direct link to client schools in the Whanganui, Manawatu and Hawkes Bay.
Kerry Darby - Manager

Kerry joined our team in 1994. She is an integral part of the management team. Kerry is responsible for the delivery of client’s monthly reports, which include processing receipts and payments, SUE Reports, Bank Statement Reconciliation, completing and filing GST Returns and client visits.
Kerry manages a portfolio of over 40 clients providing financial guidance and support as required. She is responsible for any staff training that is required in the Whanganui Office.
Kerry manages a portfolio of over 40 clients providing financial guidance and support as required. She is responsible for any staff training that is required in the Whanganui Office.
Ellen Gibson - Operations Supervisor

Ellen has been with the company from the beginning. Prior to assuming this role, Ellen was the Company's senior Finance Officer and she has a wealth of experience in this area. The main purpose of Ellen's role is to provide clients with an accurate, efficient and timely creditor payment service, ensuring the correct creditor is paid on time. Ellen is also responsible for the overall smooth running of the office.
Karen Harrington - Client Recoveries Officer

Karen joined Education Services in September 2006 having previous office experience working for a production company. Karen holds a Diploma in Business Studies and is enjoying applying her accounting education to her current position. Her role involves liaising with creditors on behalf of clients, client recoveries and bank reconciliation as well as other associated tasks. Karen enjoys interacting with creditors on behalf of clients and providing support within the Finance Division. She also feels that you are never to old to learn new things.
Emma-Lee Finucane - Client Officer

Emma-Lee became part of the team in January 2017. Prior to joining Education Services, she worked with small businesses to complete end of year accounts and GST returns. She completed a Bachelor of Management Studies from Waikato University in 2015, after which she moved back to her home town of Whanganui. The main purpose of Emma-Lee’s role is to provide clients with an accurate, efficient monthly accounting service which leaves the client feeling confident and informed.
Sheree Herewini - Client Officer

Sheree joined the team in May 2007. Sheree is responsibility for 18 school clients. The main purpose of Sheree’s role is to provide clients with an accurate, efficient monthly accounting service which leads to a stress free end of year audit process.
Claire Ogilwy - Client Officer

Claire started here at ESL with a temp contract in September 2016. She has since gained a permanent placement and is a valued addition to the team; processing creditors, receipts & payments, maintaining asset registers and reception duties. Prior to joining ESL Claire worked in the logging industry. Claire has worked for both small and large accounting firms in the past and has taken on treasury positions. She is a mother of 4 children that attend local schools, moving here from Rotorua in 2014. Claire enjoys work as a Minute Secretary for a local Board of Trustees, giving her an appreciation for the greater school community.
Annette Aldridge - Client Officer

Annette joined ESL in April 2019 and comes from a background of finance within the School environment. Annette holds a Bachelor of Business Studies (Finance) from Massey University. Annette’s role is to provide clients with accurate, efficient monthly accounting service which leads to a stress free end of the year audit.
Jason Cameron - Client Officer

Jason joined ESL in mid-2020. He recently completed his NZ Diploma in Business extramurally and is working towards a degree. Coming from a lengthy period in hospitality he understands the strength of a good team and the sacrifice it takes to work together for the bigger picture. Raising his step son Nixon, with the help his wife Jen, has shown him how important it is to lay solid foundations for kids, especially education, helping them to get the most from whatever life’s journey might have instore for them.
Trinity Rowe - Client Officer

Trinity joined the team at Education Services in January 2021. She has recently achieved a New Zealand Diploma in Business and has a strong background in customer service and administration. Trinity is looking forward to applying her existing skills and knowledge to her new role and hopes to build on her skill set with the help of the awesome staff at Education Services. She aims to provide excellent service to clients of Education Services.
Mandy Fisher - Administration Officer

Mandy joined the team in May 2007 as an Administration Officer. Mandy will be your first port of call when you visit our office.
Mandy thoroughly enjoys the challenge of her new position and being part of the ESL family.
Mandy thoroughly enjoys the challenge of her new position and being part of the ESL family.
Dianne McKinnon - Administration Officer

Dianne joined the team in 1997 as a Client Officer having previously worked in a sole charge office experience. Dianne had individual responsibility for in excess of 20 primary, intermediate and secondary school clients.
In May 2017 Dianne decided to reduce her hours and now works 3 days a week processing creditors and various other duties as required.
In May 2017 Dianne decided to reduce her hours and now works 3 days a week processing creditors and various other duties as required.
Melanie Ford - Property Manager

Melanie originally joined ESL in a temporary capacity in March 2008 and has been with our property team since July 2008. Melanie excels in helping our clients with their property administration needs.
Geoff Ryland - 10YPP Consultant

Geoff has a considerable depth of understanding of education property issues. He utilises that experience to the benefit of clients through his network of contacts within Ministry of Education, contractor and supply groups. He provides a professional property administration and management service to schools and his natural attributes of strong people skills and humour are valued by everyone. Geoff is a foundation director of Education Services Ltd.
Phil Rose - Property Supervisor

Phil joined our property team early November 2008 with 40 years experience in the building industry. This background equips him perfectly to provide effective contract administration and site supervision of property works at schools. Phil has a great attitude to work ethics and a good sense of humour.
Dave Sheddan - Property Supervisor

Dave joined our property team late June 2017 with 24 years experience in the building industry. This background equips him perfectly to provide effective site supervision of property works at schools. Dave has a great attitude, work ethics and a good sense of humour.
Outside of work Dave enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife and 2 children.
Outside of work Dave enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife and 2 children.
Donna Lacy - Property Administrator

Donna started here at ESL in mid March 2017; and is a valued addition to the property team. Donna comes with a strong administration background. Prior to joining Education Services Donna covered a maternity leave position with a local Architectural firm, and prior to that, held a Finance Manager role for 5 Battalion in Whanganui. Donna is a mother of 2 children and has always resided in Whanganui.
Louise Blythe- Property Administrator

Louise Joined Education Services Ltd in July 2020. She has an excellent grounding in administration etiquette, coming from various administration roles. She holds outstanding customer services qualities and is excited to grow and develop her skills and become a successful contribution within the team at ESL. She feels lucky to be welcomed by a friendly and knowledgeable team. Outside of work, Louise is deemed as a bit of a speed freak, having a passion for ‘Women in Motorsport”. You’ll find her on a race track, either on the side of a Formula one sidecar or a classic sidecar (just for fun). If not ‘swinging’ she will be doing the navigational duties racing Jet Sprint Boats. Louise has won national titles in NZ and Australia in both of these sports.