Our people are at the heart of what we do
We’re incredibly proud of our people here at Commonsense. We regularly showcase our staff on Facebook, Instagram and our e-newsletter.
Some of the Commonsense team at our 25th birthday party in 2016
Interested in joining our team? Apply to work with us here.
OUR BOARD
From left to right: Jon Mellors, Lucy Kebbell, Anna Pitches, Marion Wood, Jim Kebbell.
Our board are the guardians of our values, setting the direction and providing the overall leadership and governance of Commonsense. As a family business our Board is a tight-knit group who each bring a variety of skills and experiences to the table:
Lucy Kebbell
Lucy is the Chair of Commonsense and our Head of Communications and Corporate Services. The daughter of founders Jim and Marion, she starting working for Commonsense as a 16-year-old in our first shop! Having worked for several years as corporate lawyer she contributes a wealth of commercial knowledge and insight to our growing business and has been a director of the company since 2006.
Jim Kebbell
Jim is our co-founder and organics champion. He was our store manager (and shelf stocker, check-out server, broom pusher, and more!) in the hardest years, when our first store required him to re-mortgage the family home. He is married to Marion Wood and created the Common Property market garden with her in the 1970s. In 2021 he was awarded the NZ Order of Merit for Services to Sustainable Business and the Community.
Marion Wood
Marion is our co-founder and Executive Director. Her mother Frances was the inspiration behind Common Property: she insisted that it be farmed organically from the start. Jim and Marion’s background in social justice has always strongly influenced Commonsense's values. Marion is on the Fair Trade City Wellington Board (she and Jim started Wellington's first Trade Aid store), was Chair of the Organic Traders Association of New Zealand, and has served as Vice Chair of the Sustainable Business Network. In 2021 she was awarded the NZ Order of Merit for Services to Sustainable Business and the Community.
Anna Pitches
Anna is our Chief Executive Officer. Starting as a shop worker at 16, her wide background as Manager of our flagship Wellington City store and then our company Operations Manager gives her insight into every aspect of our business. Anna joined the board as a director in 2011 and became CEO of Commonsense in 2016.
Jon Mellors
Jon is the newest member of the Commonsense board joining us in 2019. However, he has had a long history with the company prior to joining the board, serving as our accountant for all operations since 1999. As a partner at Darvill Mellors & Co, Jon still takes care of our financial services and brings a sharp eye and a wealth of knowledge to board discussions.