Tod Cooper

Recently appointed in the newly created Director of Commercial Strategy and Relationship within the New Zealand Defence Force, Tod has been involved in commercial and operational leadership and advisory roles in both New Zealand and overseas, with two of his most recent roles having a significant strategic transformational change. Tod has held senior positions across both public and private sector in both sales, procurement and business leadership and development, cementing himself as a proficient and pragmatic trusted commercial advisor. Tod’s career began in the mid 90’s with a sales and marketing role within a private defence contractor, a role which would eventually lead to a 8-year diplomatic career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the opportunity to work with customers across a broad range of sectors including technology, geospatial, construction, tertiary, banking and more recently space. Tod is currently the National Chair for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. A proud Wellingtonian, Tod’s work-life balance includes being a qualified BodyPump and GRIT instructor at Les Mills. Special topic areas: Defence and Defence Anti-Corruption Index, Modern Slavery, Procurement and Training.