Neville Harris was the New Zealand Registrar of Companies from  1989-2013 and the Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks and Plant Variety  Rights from 1997-2013.

A strong advocate for the formation of the CRF, Neville supported his  office (The New Zealand Companies Office) when the idea of holding the  first event in 2003 was considered.

Neville was awarded the Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to the state in the New Year’s honours list 2013.

Neville currently works as a consultant and is on the board of  directors of several companies.  Drawing on his his experience in  prominent roles in the management and supervision of the regulatory  framework for corporations, securities, insolvency, intellectual  property rights and the crown mineral estate.