Daniel Witten-Hannah awarded 2026 John Britten Black Pin

 

Fisher & Paykel CEO recognised with Aotearoa New Zealand’s highest individual design honour for more than 30 years of design leadership.

The John Britten Black Pin is the highest individual recognition of Toi Manahau Designers Institute of New Zealand, honouring leadership, vision and achievement in advancing New Zealand design.

Witten-Hannah joined Fisher & Paykel more than 30 years ago as a mechanical engineer. His career has since extended across product development, brand, innovation and commercial strategy and, ultimately, chief executive leadership.

Cathy Veninga, CEO of Toi Manahau Designers Institute of New Zealand, described his contribution as “unusual in its breadth”.

“Daniel understands design from the inside—from engineering, testing and making—but his contribution has grown far beyond the product. He has applied the principles of design to the way an organisation thinks, innovates and responds to change.”

 

Since becoming CEO in 2020, Witten-Hannah has led a significant evolution of Fisher & Paykel’s global product portfolio.

In 2026, Fisher & Paykel presented its State of the Art Collection at Milan Design Week: 12 flagship appliances, each recognised with a 2025 or 2026 Red Dot Award, including multiple Best of the Best recipients.

Later this month, the company will formally open its new global headquarters in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, bringing together design, engineering, research and specialist testing capability.

The Black Pin recognises a career in which Witten-Hannah’s influence has grown from the scale of the product to the scale of the organisation—and a continuing commitment to design and innovation developed in Aotearoa New Zealand for markets around the world.

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