New tertiary education board appointments

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced new appointments to the boards of Education New Zealand and the Tertiary Education Commission.

John Spencer has been appointed as the Chair of the Tertiary Education Commission. Mr Spencer replaces Sir Harawira Gardiner who is standing down from his role on the Tertiary Education Commission.

“Mr Spencer is a highly capable individual who brings a wealth of experience in governance, finance and business”, Mr Joyce says.

Philip Broughton and Richard Leggat have been appointed as members of the Education New Zealand Board. An existing member of the Board, Jill Tattersall, has been appointed for a further term.

Education New Zealand was established in 2011 to support and encourage international education. International education is New Zealand’s fifth largest export earner, contributing more than $2 billion to the economy and supporting about 32,000 jobs.

“The appointees to the Education New Zealand Board contribute an extensive range of skills and experience in international business, education, marketing and governance”, Mr Joyce says.

Biographical details of new board appointees:

John Spencer is a businessman and company director. Mr Spencer has been Chair of Tainui Group Holdings Ltd since 2003 and also holds the positions of Chair of KiwiRail and WEL Networks. He serves on the board of Tower Limited, and Dispute Resolutions Ltd. He is also an Independent Advisor to the Board of Mitre 10 Group. In the 2012 Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours List, Mr Spencer received recognition for his services to business through his appointment as a Companion to the Order of New Zealand.

Philip Broughton (Ngāi Tahu and Kahungunu) has 27 years’ experience as a chartered accountant, mentor and business advisor.  He is a partner in the firm of Polson Higgs with responsibilities for training, consulting, and business services. His governance experience includes roles as president of the Otago Southland Employers Association, Chairman of Dunedin PHO, board member of the Advertising Standards Complaints Board, Chair of Te Kupeka Umaka Māori ki Araiteuru (Southern Māori Business Network), board member of the Business New Zealand Council, board member of Te Runaka Otakou Ltd, Kiwi Haka Ltd, and Whare Mahana Ltd.

Richard Leggat has a varied background across business, marketing and e-commerce. Mr Leggat worked for apparel manufacturer Lane Walker Rudkin before switching into the finance sector and working as a share broker, initially in Christchurch, followed by four years in London and then Auckland.  He is currently employed in a sales and marketing role for a leading provider of e-commerce solutions. Mr Leggat is the chairman of BikeNZ, the organisation that supports the development of cycling in New Zealand. He is also a founding committee member of the Eating Disorder Association of New Zealand and chairs the Parnell District School Board of Trustees. He was appointed to the New Zealand Tourism Board on 1 February 2010 for a three-year term.

Jill Tattersall was Chief Executive of Les Mills International Ltd from 2001 to 2010, during which time the company was twice recognised as NZTE Services Exporter of the Year.  A Business Advisor to the recently launched Global Executive Leadership program developed by the University of Auckland Business School, the ICEHOUSE and NZTE, Ms Tattersall was named one of the country's outstanding business managers by the National Business Review in 2004.