Board of Directors

Rob Fyfe has been a Director of Michael Hill International Limited since January 2014. He was appointed by the Board as Chair in June 2021.

Skills and experience

Rob served as CEO of Air New Zealand between 2005 and 2012, a period that saw a resurgence in Air New Zealand to become one of the most recognised and awarded airlines in the world and one of the best performers in a tough industry. Rob also has extensive general management and board experience in various retail businesses operating in New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain, across sectors including retail banking, telecommunications, pay television, sport, manufacturing and outdoor apparel. On New Year’s Eve 2020, Rob was appointed as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and tourism.

Other directorships 

Air Canada

Board Committee membership

Deputy Chair, independent, non-executive director 
Claudia Batten was appointed a Director of the Company on 30 August 2024 and was appointed Deputy Chair in March 2025. 

Skills and experience

Claudia started her professional career at law firm Russell McVeagh specialising in contract, IP, and technology law before moving to New York in 2002. Claudia was a member of the founding team of Massive Incorporated, a network for advertising in video games which helped pioneer “digital” as a media buy. Massive was sold to Microsoft in 2006, where Claudia spent 3 years scaling the in-game network. In 2009 she co-founded Victors & Spoils, the first advertising agency built on the principles of crowdsourcing which was acquired by French holding company Havas Worldwide just two years later.

Claudia has been widely recognised for her work supporting the technology and start up scene in New Zealand and spent three years running North American operations for NZTE, supporting disruptive thinking for the growth of NZ exports in North America.

Claudia is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington with degrees in Law (Hons) and Commerce.

Other directorships

Air New Zealand Limited
Vista Group International Limited
Serko Limited (Chair)

Board Committee membership

Emma Hill has been a Director of Michael Hill International Limited since February 2007. She was Deputy Chair in 2011 and  Executive Chair between 2015 to 2021.

Skills and experience

Emma has over 30 years’ experience working in various roles within the Group, commencing on the shop floor in Whangarei, New Zealand. She held a number of management positions in the Australian company before successfully leading the expansion of the Group into Canada as Retail General Manager in 2002. 

Emma holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and an MBA from Bond University.

Board Committee membership

Gary Smith was appointed to the Board in November 2012.

Skills and experience

Gary has extensive director experience across a range of boards and tourism related industry bodies. He is Chairman of Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd, one of Australia’s top public companies and is a member of their Audit and Remuneration sub-committees. 

Gary is Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Other directorships

Flight Centre Limited (Chair)

Board Committee membership

David Whittle was appointed to the Board in August 2023

Skills and experience

Dave has considerable brand, data, technology, omni-channel retail and digital transformation experience. He is a founder of Lexer, a global software company helping brands and retailers genuinely understand and engage their customers. In 2015, Dave became the youngest ASX 200 non-executive director when he joined the board of Myer. 

Previously, Dave spent 10 years with global advertising group M&C Saatchi in several local and international leadership roles, culminating in three years as Managing Director in Australia. He is currently a non-executive director of Metcash Limited and Challenger Limited, and has held several directorships and advisory roles for private, Government and not-for-profit organisations. 

Other directorships

Metcash Limited
Challenger Limited

Board Committee membership

Andrea was appointed to the Board in September 2025.

Skills and experience

Andrea’s broad industry experience spans retail, high-net-worth family offices, construction and property development, digital/technology, infrastructure and tourism. Andrea also brings expertise in both domestic and international growth and sustainable scaling of significant ASX-listed Australian businesses. She held executive positions at Flight Centre Travel Group Limited, including President/EGM of Flight Centre North America and Global Human Resources Manager. Andrea is currently a Director of Prime Financial Group, Volunteering Gold Coast and an Investment Committee Member at construction company, McNab. 

Andrea has a strong understanding of the Group and its operations having acted as alternate director to Sir Michael Hill from 14 April 2025 to 29 July 2025, and previously serving as the Group’s Interim Chief People Officer in 2018 and Chief Operating Officer from 2019 to 2021.

Other directorships 

Prime Financial Group Ltd