Bill Gallagher MBE, CNZM

 
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FLYING KIWI AWARD 2007

  • Joined "Gallagher" the family company in 1972 and saw turnover double every year 1972-76
  • Started by his father, Bill Gallagher (senior), in the 1930's Gallagher is a globally trusted name in animal management and security systems – it is credited with inventing the electric fence and revolutionizing pastoral farming.
  • Gallaghers now has an annual turnover of $US100Million, employs over 700 staff in New Zealand and its exports continue to grow
  • Bill plays as active role as Gallaghers' CEO and travels the world on regular basis - holding seminars, training sessions and field days on many topics, including the containment of animals, security of property and people, agri-business, tariff removals and export issues.
  • He was awarded the MBE in 1987; the Queens Medal (Commonwealth) in 1998; Made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998; is a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Management and Waikato Institute of Technology.
  • Bill Gallagher has a strong and active commitment to the environment and is a major sponsor of community, sports and arts organizations.

Bill Gallagher

The CEO of Gallagher Group, Bill Gallagher's company focuses on animal management systems and security systems that employs over 700 in NZ and 300 more offshore.

Over seventy years ago his father, Bill Gallagher senior, who was a farmer, devised an electric shock device to stop his horse rubbing up against the family car—thus inventing the electric fence. In doing so, Gallagher also revolutionised pastoral farming by allowing farmers to manage and control grazing more flexibly.

Having joined the family company in 1972 Bill Gallagher (junior) saw turnover double every year 1972-76 – even today he spends up to 150 days a year on the road as a roving international salesman.

Bill Gallagher dislikes the "control techniques" of hierarchical management and prefers the coach approach. He has created a work environment that encourages personal empowerment and independent thinking. Bill travels the world on a regular basis holding seminars, training sessions and field days on many topics, including the containment of animals, security of property and people, agri-business, tariff removals and export issues. Gallagher Group now has an annual turnover of $US100M, and exports continue to grow. The company is currently focusing on a foray into US with security fencing and access control

The recognition of Bill Gallagher's success takes many form:

  • He was awarded the MBE in 1987
  • Awarded Queen's Medal (Commonwealth) 1990
  • Winner of prestigious Excellence in Communication Leadership award in 1996 (first time since its beginning in 1961 that the award had gone outside North America)
  • Awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 1998
  • Made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and Honorary Fellow of Waikato Institute of Technology in 2002
  • Won Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003
  • 2004: was inducted into the National Business Review Business Hall of Fame

Bill Gallagher has a strong and active commitment to the environment. He is a major sponsor of Rescue Helicopter, Waikato Stadium, Mounted Police, Gallagher Community Swimming Pool, Gallagher Hockey Centre and the establishment of the Performing Arts centre at Waikato University and is involved with many other civic and community organisations.