hairyLemon Company Profile

Established in early 2000, hairyLemon has experienced rapid growth, developing into one of Christchurch's leading web design firms and making the Deloitte/Unlimited Fast 50 list for two years running. Building on our excellent reputation as innovative website designers, we expanded our design services to include graphic design, logo design, branding and print work.

The brain child of Sue Wilkinson and Graham Dockrill, hairyLemon is a company that prides itself on fostering a family environment where coming to work is an enjoyable experience. This ethos extends to how we work with our clients, ensuring they are fully involved every step of the way.

"Working with hairyLemon is not just about developing a website, a brochure, or a new logo; it's about the whole people experience, because ultimately we believe business is about people working with people." - Graham & Sue

So what's with the name?

Everyone asks, so just where did the name hairyLemon come from? Perhaps it's a code name for some web-related technical development, or is it the nickname of one of the directors?

It's neither. The origins of the name go back to Graham and Sue's student days, an ‘insightful conversation' and the consumption of a few too many beers. As explained by Graham Dockrill, Director of hairyLemon:

"We were having drinks with friends and the name hairyLemon came up. I remember saying that if we ever have our own company that's what we'll call it. Love it or hate it, it's certainly a great icebreaker."

From Zesty to Zany you'll find the hairyLemons are a friendly bunch, and even though bunches usually refer to bananas and not lemons we're ok with that. So click on the pictures below to meet our team of dedicated and highly skilled web and graphic design professionals.

Come on in and meet everyone.
Rollover the faces for more information.

  • Karen Brown
    PR & SEO Marketing Consultant

    Karen joined the Lemon with more than 20 years experience in public relations, marketing and copywriting under her belt. Most recently she specialised in high tech PR and has enjoyed transitioning to a primarily online focus for our clients.

    As part of the SEO team, she spends most of her time creating content for clients, writing reports, blogging and putting together hairyLemon's own monthly newsletters and other communication tools.

    Born and bred in Christchurch, Karen has two teenage sons and an ongoing interest in preparing and teaching about raw foods.
  • Briony Bonisch
    Designer

    Briony joined the Lemon from TML Publishing, after graduating with a Bachelor of Design from Christchurch Polytech.

    She is a hands-on designer who enjoys the creative process, completing a Fabric Screen-printing course at East London's Printmakers Studio during her OE. Travel is one of her favourite activities, visiting and experiencing new countries but coming back home to NZ made her appreciate good kiwi cafe food and coffee.

    Briony is also a music lover and enjoys going to gigs, and ferreting through the music store bins for cheap CDs. She prefers to buy her tunes on CD rather than downloading music online.
  • Tim Medcalf
    Front End Developer

    Tim joined hairyLemon as our new junior front end developer, fresh from completing Natcoll's web development course at the end of 2009. He has rapidly become a valuable member of the team, demonstrating a wide range of skills including a great command of Flash which comes in handy for our clients in the entertainment industry.

    Like a surprising number of techno-pros, Tim has musical talents that include playing guitar for real, as well as rocking it out on Guitar Hero.

    His other passion is cars and although he insists he's not a boy racer, he is currently the proud owner of a Honda Integra – you be the judge.
  • Trish Beven
    Project Manager

    Trish has 6+ years experience working in Business Administration, Project and Marketing Co-ordination roles. She comes to us with a Diploma in Business majoring in Marketing and Management and a love for website design and development.

    Having moved from Brisbane in 2005 Trish is our 'token Aussie' that helps keep alive the Trans-Tasman rivalry within the office. On the weekends Trish enjoys snapping shots of NZ's beautiful landscape, going out and about on the town with friends and is a big fan of live concerts.
  • Andy Bridge
    Creative Director

    Andy is our multi-talented man of brand. With extensive experience in brand development and new media he brings a refreshing approach to all of our branding, web and print design projects. He is also a very talented photographer who has a great eye, two actually, for colour and design.
  • Simon Attrill
    Analyst/Programmer

    Simon joins hairyLemon with 10 years software development experience. He has a degree in computer science and a post graduate diploma in ICT specialising in web development.

    Originally from the UK Simon has embraced the kiwi lifestyle. Simon’s two young daughters keep him busy and entertained. And in his spare time he enjoys tramping, snowboarding and the occasional white water kayaking trip.
  • Graham Dockrill
    Director/Sales Manager

    Graham, a joint Director of hairyLemon was educated at the University of Canterbury, majoring in Computer Science. Graham has extensive management experience and is responsible for large clients in all of the company's international markets. Formerly a branch manager for Steel and Tube Ltd, one of New Zealand’s largest steel merchandising company's, Graham heads the Sales and Marketing arm of hairyLemon.
  • Melissa Fenwick
    Creative Director

    Melissa came to hairyLemon having completed a four year honours degree in design from Massey University in Wellington. She majored in typography and marketing in design and has taken to designing client websites like a duck to water.

    Melissa also describes herself as a keen supporter of NZ basketball.
  • Sue Wilkinson
    Director/Primary Project Manager

    Sue, a joint Director of hairyLemon, works in the role of Primary Project Manager for the company, scheduling and overseeing the development of major projects and the application of company policy and strategy. In her role she works extensively with both corporate and government clients in New Zealand and Australia to develop unique, Internet solutions. Sue has an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Canterbury.
  • Roy Britten
    Analyst/Programmer

    Roy joined the Lemons specialising in data-to-web application development. He was contracted to NASA and worked on data-processing software for the Mars Exploration Rovers mission. Roy also spent several years at NIWA developing solutions for in-house and public-facing location-based data services. Qualified as a commercial pilot, and with experience as a professional Zamboni driver and a New Zealand Army Medic, Roy brings to our team a diverse range of skills. In what is humorously referred to as his spare time he enjoys the companionship of his kids, baking, and learning to ride his unicycle—but not all at the same time.
  • Manisha Joshi
    Analyst/Programmer

    Manisha joined hairyLemon with a Masters in Computer Science and Business Administration and 5+ years of experience in web development specialising in .Net technologies. "Passion" and "Perfection" are two words that describe her and her approach.

    Having Migrated from New Delhi, in 2004 Manisha immediately fell in love with NZ and the lifestyle it offered. She loves river-side walks, alpine tramping and sea kayaking. Very active in the community, Manisha loves to cook and host parties and stage shows. 'A Programmer with sense of humour' who said that?
  • Briar Storer
    Search Marketer/Project Manager

    Briar joined the hairyLemon team in 2008 with 3 years experience as a PHP Web Programmer. She has a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from the University of Canterbury and a Graduate Diploma in eCommerce from CPIT majoring in Web Programming, and spent her first two years at the Lemon as part of the development team.

    Briar has recently become the newest member of Search Marketing team, wrangling everyone into shape in her role as project manager, which makes her the primary point of contact for Search Marketing clients. She is enjoying expanding her skill set and discovering more about the ever-changing world of search engine algorithms.
  • Gordon Sutherland
    Project Manager

    Gordon has 4+ years experience working with a wide range of computer languages and databases. He comes to us with an Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering.

    Gordon brings a fresh look on life with plenty of energy and a go get em' attitude! If you can't find him behind the computer screen you'll be sure to find him cruising the trails on his mtb...
  • Connon Daly
    Technical Manager

    Hailing from the mighty Ashvegas, Connon joins us after finishing off a Bachelor of IT from CPIT. Majoring in multimedia and e-Commerce he found his niche in the technical realm of computers. Away from the office he enjoys sorting and listening to his music collection, as well as skiing and enjoying a cold one (or possibly more) while watching rugby and cricket.
  • Johnny Lineham
    Integrator

    Johnny joined the Lemons in 2007 after completing a diploma in multimedia at Natcoll Design Technology at the end of 2006.

    He is a big music fan. He enjoys listening to albums and live performances as well as playing the electric guitar (rock on!) Making the most of living in Christchurch, Johnny enjoys the mountains. He snowboards in winter and mountain bikes in summer.

  • Stuart Woodhouse
    Account Manager

    After 5 years working with The Press, Stuart Woodhouse arrived at hairyLemon bringing to the team a passion for marketing and building client profiles. A patriotic Aucklander, Stuart worked in the airlines industry (Qantas and British Airways) before moving to Christchurch in 2002. Stuart married a Cantabrian and together they have two beautiful children. Although much of life revolves around his family, Stuart also enjoys playing a bit of soccer and golf. One day he will stop procrastinating and run a few more half marathons.
  • David Noah
    Solutions Architect

    David is our Solutions Architect with over 30 years experience crafting effective and innovative Information Technology solutions for clients. He will work with you to blueprint the ‘how’ bits of your next web or eBusiness project to make sure you get the right solution. David has extensive programming, design and systems integration experience with ColdFusion, php and ASP/ASP.NET. He has recently added Sharepoint to his extensive repertoire of skills and looks forward to helping you get the most of this powerful Microsoft technology. David has a passion for ‘doing it right’ and holds special interests in Web standards, information architecture and usability.
  • Anita Robinson
    Designer

    Anita joins hairyLemon with a passion for design and photography. Since obtaining her degree of Bachelor of Design in Visual Communications from CPIT in 2005, she has enjoyed working in the advertisement design industry.

    Anita loves the outdoors - especially relaxing on a nice beach.

  • Aidan Rogers
    Head of Search Marketing

    Aidan is an import from the North Island, enticed down south by the attractions of Christchurch and the opportunity to run hairyLemon’s online marketing services. He’s now responsible for developing our clients marketing strategies, and improving their rankings in the search engines. When he’s not transfixed by Google search results and the latest algorithm update, he likes to relax to music and has been known to draw the occasional cartoon.
  • Simon Winter
    Front End Developer

    A recovering designer, Simon originally started out at hairyLemon as the curator of large mammals. Since those early days he has learned to use a computer with both hands and is now skilled in the deadly computer arts. He recently took 3 years off as the mammal curator and is now a qualified nerd. He currently works as an integrator, taking the design teams’ wonderful designs and turning them into the fantastic web sites we produce.
  • Viv Allan
    Office Manager

    Viv is our highly capable Office Manager who has previously worked in a range of roles at the Christchurch City Council, Christchurch College of Education and a commercial furniture company. Married with two fur kids (Burmese kittens, Molly and Louie), Viv describes herself as a ‘walking junkie’ and loves to get out and about whenever possible. Her wine of choice is Sauvignon Blanc and is continually discovering more of the health benefits of eating chocolate.
  • Mike Johnson
    HR Advisor

    Mike brings significant Human Resource experience to the company with 16 years experience as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa and Hong Kong and over 15 years as a Senior HR Manager in New Zealand. After setting up his own consultancy in 2006, Mike joined forces with hairyLemon to create and improve positive relationships in the workplace.

    Mike, who is also an experienced Toastmaster, spends most of his spare time with his family and has been known to sing, tell stories, and ref the occasional kids’ soccer match.

  • Debi Hazelden
    Search Marketer/Developer

    Hamilton-born Debi came to hairyLemon with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Otago. She has 5+ years experience as a PHP Web Developer and Project Manager, and is now an integral part of the Search Marketing team, with a particular interest in Google Analytics and AdWords.

    When Debi's not delving into the intricacies of search and social media, she spends most of her waking moments training for the upcoming World Triathlon Champs in Budapest and blogging about her progress.
  • Kurt Smith
    Front End Developer/Designer

    Kurt is a man of few words and describes his role as "integrate visual designs into webpages/content management systems and some design " need we say more?
  • Sonya Atkinson
    Sales Support/PA

    Once wasn’t enough for Sonya – after initially working for hairyLemon as a temp, a year later she jumped at the chance to join the Lemon’s in a fulltime role. She comes from a strong background of administration and customer service, having worked in the Tourism Industry and Building industry before throwing herself in the world of IT. It’s ever rare you see her without a smile on her face and she’s always keen to meet whoever walks through the door.

    In her spare time Sonya enjoys travelling around NZ with her husband in their campervan, spending time with her dogs and trying to find something new to experience.
  • Louise Cook
    Account Manager

    Louise joins hairyLemon from five years experience working at Pacific Brands in product and brand management. She graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in Management and a Graduate Certificate in Commerce majoring in Marketing. Louise enjoys focusing on branding and marketing solutions for her clients.

    In her spare time she will normally be found at the hockey turf in winter or at the beach in summer, however relaxing with friends and family over a great chardonnay usually takes priority.
  • Brad Mcllroy
    Technician

    Brad joins the technical solutions team at Hairylemon after a five year stint of customer service. Fascinated by the ever expanding industry of IT, Brad is always willing to learn new things.

    When he's not fixing your computer you'll usually find him listening to his large music collection while generally "tinkering" with all things electrical or mechanical.
  • Andrew Beaumont
    Technician

    Andrew joins the Hairy Lemon Technical Team after around 1.5 years experience in the IT industry. In 2008 he completed a Diploma in Systems Technology at the Computer Power Institute where he obtained several industry-respected qualifications.

    Music is his main hobby, where he enjoys both listening to and creating original pieces. Although most of his time is spent behind the computer screen, Andrew also likes to get out and explore the greater Canterbury region.
  • Jocelyn Fary-Holzwarth
    Special Projects/PA

    Jocelyn is the token American on staff who recently moved to New Zealand from Boston, Massachusetts. She was hired for a few weeks back in September and hasn’t left since! She comes to us with a strong background in fundraising and event planning which translates into a keen understanding of customer service and impeccable organisational skills.

    When she is not busy planning social functions for the Lemons or working on projects to improve internal procedures, she enjoys adding clothes and accessories to her fashion arsenal and is determined to soak in all that is New Zealand while she is here!