Pacific Simulators Taking on new markets

After taking WhisperGen from a start-up and turning it into a successful company, Bill Highet is now turning his attention to Pacific Simulators.

The former WhisperGen chief has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of Pacific Simulators, and he plans to take on the United Kingdom and North American markets with his new firm.

Highet spent 12 years with WhisperGen, including six as chief operating officer and another six as chairman, but became a casualty of its success.

WhisperGen announced in January it had formed a joint venture with Spanish industrial co-operative Mondragon to mass-manufacture WhisperGen's micro-combined heat and power system in Spain. The production shift saw a drop in staff and the number of managers needed, so Highet decided to pursue something different.

Highet said he was fortunate to find a position that ticked all the boxes. "I was keen to stay in Christchurch. I was keen to move to a CEO role and keen to do something where I could take an equity stake in the business."

A small shareholding was part of the remuneration package, Highet said.

Pacific Simulators, which was 50 per cent-owned by Christchurch-based private equity firm Ocean Partners, designs and builds flight simulators mostly for the entertainment market. It was hoping to gain regulatory approval in the UK and the United States so its simulators could be used to train pilots. It already has New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority approval.

Pacific Simulators had set up a showroom in London to test the market and was hoping to have its simulators in several malls.

Highet replaces acting chief Steve Surridge who took over from Mike Pero late last year.

Pero has moved from his operational role to one of director and shareholder, a decision he made after wanting to reduce his work load.

- © Fairfax NZ News