Our People

The RT Hand Up Foundation is all about helping give people a ‘hand-up’ when they need it, and we couldn’t do that without our amazing team of volunteers, all of whom have years of experience in their fields and are motivated to make a real difference in people’s lives. Learn more about our team here …

Michael Beedell

NZ Dip Bus, NZIM Dip Mgt, CISMP

I am a trustee and was privileged to be one of Richard’s many friends.

I have been in public service for most of my working life (40+ years) from being a Police Officer in London through to my current role as the National Manager, Adjudications with the NZ Transport Agency working in the commercial licensing sector.

I come from a modest background and, although I worked and studied hard, I have been fortunate to have had the backing of a number of individuals who had faith in me and helped me along my career path. I now realise that without the help of those people, I might not be where I am today. I needed encouragement and guidance.

I want to give back and assist those who need a helping hand to enter their careers of choice.

Robert Towers

B.Bus (Mgt) MHRINZ

I am one of the trustees and Richard’s identical twin brother.

I work as a Human Resources Consultant providing advice to clients. In the last 24 years I have held senior “Human Resource Management” roles at The NZ Refinery Company Limited and Whangarei District Council. My passion is to have organisations and individuals performing at their very best.

I am committed to helping people to achieve their career aspirations and this was something Richard believed in. As someone who is responsible for hiring staff I appreciate the challenges people face when trying to find work in their “career of choice”.  I know with the right help people can be more successful than they ever imagined. When “mentees” receive our support, I want them to be better for the experience, energised, and to be well placed for the next successful stage of their career.

Tracy Towers

Hi, I am Tracy, Richard’s wife and a trustee for the Richard Towers Hand up Foundation.

My background is in teaching, a career that I have had the privilege of being involved with for thirty years.

Richard and I began our working lives at a time when employment at the end of schooling, or tertiary education, was almost a given. Part time work was easy to come by and job experience not difficult to find.

Over the past 10-12 years our awareness grew, along with our children, that that was no longer the case.

Though, we were able to support a variety of causes and individuals, Richard’s death led me, after much discussion, to grow the idea of what has become the Richard Towers Hand Up Foundation.

It is my sincere hope that through the Foundation, the commitment of those involved and the desire Richard and I shared to support others, will allow individuals to ‘reach their full potential’ in any field they choose.

Susan Hay

I am one of the trustees of the Richard Towers Hand Up Foundation and Richard’s youngest sister.

I am a joint owner of a medium sized marine business in Whangarei called Warren Hay Marine Limited that specialises in boats, outboards, fishing gear and servicing. My husband Warren and I purchased the business over 16 years ago.

Richard had been an immense help to Warren and I over the years and we always appreciated his friendship, advice and support. He would often offer words of encouragement and provide valuable insights.

One of the features of my life is that I have always set myself goals which has enabled me to achieve some of my life-long ambitions. I am now committed to helping others achieve their goals and I will be supporting the Foundation to achieve their goal of getting people into their “career of choice”.

I will also be applying my business skills as Fundraising Coordinator for the Foundation.