John A Dibble
John is the eldest son of Peter Dibble – a long serving Geography, Social Studies Teacher, back in the 50s/60s/70s.
John completed four years education at Matamata College before transferring to Whakatane High School in 1973 when his father became Deputy Principal at Trident High School in Whakatane. He represented Matamata College at Hockey, Cricket, Tennis and Captained the Waikato schools under 15 Hockey Team, which defeated Auckland. John recalled that leaving Matamata, and starting at a new school for his 7th form year, seemed like a hardship posting at the time; however he found new sports electives (surfing) soon grabbed his attention. He finished his high schooling life attaining an ‘A’ Bursary.
John attended Auckland University and graduated with a Commerce/Management Bachelor degree and followed that by gaining his Associate Chartered Accountant qualification. He represented Auckland University at Hockey (as Captain) and Tennis.
He began his working career at professional services firm Price Waterhouse (now PWC) in Auckland. He audited many well-known NZ companies, before transferring with the firm to Hong Kong in 1981. Upon his return to NZ he began his career in the IT industry with UNISYS Corporation (New Zealand) before transferring to UNISYS (Hong Kong) in 1988 as a Senior Account Manager, primarily responsible for a major customer named Cathay Pacific Airways.
In 1990 Cathay Pacific made him an offer he could not refuse and for most of the 1990’s John was working with the Airline industry, especially the air cargo business. It was in those years he married Ann, saw the handover of Hong Kong back to China, the move of HK’s airport from Kai Tak, travelled extensively, and became heavily involved with IATA’s push to develop global supply chain messaging standards so airlines, their partners, and customers could communicate seamlessly. He was on several Airline joint venture Boards and leader of IATA’s standards setting forum. At the end of the 90’s John became General Manager of The Update Group, which serviced 80 airlines around the world with the products needed for inflight passenger service.
Following his decade in the Airline Industry John began the new Millennium in the Executive Search Industry. Managing Director in the MRI China Group, part of MRI Worldwide, a US based management recruitment organization with global network of 1000+ offices. From 2004-2011 he was Managing Director Asia/Pacific for US based Banister International. It was during this decade that John’s interest in wine flourished and he founded the Asian chapter of Knights of Alba, also becoming a member of other wine societies such as, Commanderie de Bordeaux, Chevaliers du Tastvin, and the HK Wine Society.
This new decade has seen john switch focus and tap into his entrepreneurial spirit. He founded “attitudepartners” providing professional services focussing on Asia including Executive search, coaching, outplacement and non-executive directorship services. In 2013 he began a new venture called “ Artizen Selections”. This is his indulgence of personal passion for natural foods and wines from small, traditional, family run producers, whom he has discovered during his travels.
He is tapping into his years of relationship and network building and bringing, to those interested, the opportunity to experience special wines and foods not available in HK shops. He has started with products from Waiheke Island and will extend the range to cover other parts of NZ over time. He and Ann, his wife, regularly visit Italy and France. He is finalising arrangements with some appropriate producers to bring their superb products to the attention of interested consumers in HK.
Also embryonic is another new business venture called “Aptitude & Attitude” a management consulting firm which will tap into John’s accounting and IT background. Outsourcing services, especially accounting related, is a major focus of this venture. He also tells me that plans are underway to form the NZ Wine and Food Society to showcase our country’s finest in the incredibly competitive HK marketplace.
Please note; his father Peter, with wife Ruth, are both in good health and living an active retirement in Bethlehem, near Tauranga. Peter still pursues his passion for the local Lions Club (ex-president) and model electric trains. He was the father of field hockey at Matamata College way back in 1956. Richard Prevett (ex pupil and staff) was in Peter’s first team and took over the coaching of the hockey when Peter shifted to Whakatane. Peter also coached the Cricket 1st XI from 1956-1970.