Amy Carter

Strategist

Amy is one of the founders of Perception.  She had over ten years leading Perception and one of its predecessors Carter Price Rennie Ltd. When working in the business she a had a significant portfolio of business and government clients, NGOs and charities. Her areas of strength are in community engagement, brand development and protection, internal and change communications and long-term stakeholder communication strategies. She has extensive networks in the South Island business community and strong relationships with the key decision makers in this market. Amy has been privileged to work with many iconic charities and she is further building on this experience in her role as the Establishment Chief Executive of the Christchurch Foundation.

In her role as Chair of Perception, Amy drives the strategic direction for the firm, and on occasion, provides peer review and assists with client activity where her expertise and experience is of value.

Phone: 027 247 8707
Email: amy.carter@perception.nz

Rachel Leitch

Strategist

Rachel is a proud Cantabrian, returning home after 16 years living and working in Auckland.  She is a natural people connector and specialises in project and change management.  Drawing on her decades of experience in public relations, media, event management, marketing and business development, she delivers integrated and creative communications strategies with tangible outputs.

Rachel, amongst other industries, has worked within inbound and outbound tourism and in local government, in both Christchurch and Auckland.  Over the past few years she has been contracted by Auckland Council and most recently Ports of Auckland.

Her wide-ranging repertoire also includes specialist knowledge and executive experience in leadership and staff development, media relations, corporate branding, M.I.C.E. (meetings, incentives, conferences and events), infrastructure and supply chain.

Phone: 022 328 8020
Email: rachel.leitch@perception.nz

Chris Bailey

Strategist

Virna Smith

Strategist

Virna is a passionate marketer who began her career in South Africa, gaining unparalleled experience in the retail space, and established herself in leadership roles as a respected marketing specialist.

Her love for New Zealand, and especially the All Blacks, brought her and her family to Christchurch a decade ago.  She spent her first few years in senior marketing roles in the retail industry, where her vast knowledge and experience was highly regarded.

Her passion for tourism then took her on a five-year journey as head of marketing for a New Zealand owned hotel group. In keeping with her passion for travel, tourism, hospitality and retail, Virna went on to join Christchurch International Airport as Marketing Manager, Brand & Retail.

Phone: 021 280 9070
Email: virna.smith@perception.nz

Haidee Scott

Consultant

Haidee has more than two decades of strategic communications, marketing, project management and leadership experience across a broad range of industries.

She holds an MBA from the University of Canterbury, is Project Management Professional (PMP) certified and is studying via distance towards a graduate diploma.

A strategic analyst by trade, Haidee is passionate about helping organisations to understand the long-term requirements of their business and develop concrete, easy-to-follow plans to realise those needs.

For the last seven years she has worked in communications and project management-related roles for Christchurch regeneration agencies and contractors. Roles have included strategic communications management, liaising with and briefing partnering organisations and leading, training and supporting contractors’ communication teams. She also project-managed the creation of a world-first, disaster recovery lessons learnt website for the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).

Phone: 0276654007
Email: haidee.scott@perception.nz

Jocelyn Johnstone

ATCL, LTCL (Speech, Drama, Communication)

Senior Consultant

Jocelyn specialises in presentation skills and media training. A former journalist, she has taught communications skills at the NZ Broadcasting School, is a qualified speech teacher, and has worked in PR for over 10 years. Jocelyn works with small groups and individuals to hone their presentation skills. Previously with the communications team at the Canterbury District Health Board, she is ideally placed to help clients better understand and work with the media.

Phone: 027 353 6164
Email: jocelyn.johnstone@perception.nz