New chair appointed to Massey Ventures Ltd

Massey Ventures Limited has appointed Auckland business strategist Terry Allen as its new chair.

He takes over from Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey, who stepped down from the position in July.

Mr Allen is the founder and director of Allen Strategic, a company specialising in the provision of governance, strategy and execution at board and executive level.

In his 20-year career he has had senior roles in multinational technology companies including 12 years at Microsoft. He headed Icehouse Accelerator Unit, a successful business incubator company, and is currently a director for Massey’s E-centre.

Massey University Research Management and Commercialisation director Mark Cleaver says Mr Allen brings a unique skill set to the role.

“His extensive background in new ventures both as an advisor and investor and his experience with incubators and university commercialisation is a combination that is not common in New Zealand and will be an excellent fit with the role with Massey Ventures.”

Mr Allen says he sees incredible opportunity in melding commercial and venture capital capability into University intellectual property. “There is a real opportunity to create value for the shareholders of the companies commercialising University IP, for the University in terms of its goals and as a result contribute to the New Zealand economy.”

Massey Ventures Limited is a fully owned subsidiary of Massey University and was incorporated in 2005. It holds the University’s portfolio of investments in spinout companies and manages the holdings to deliver value to the University.

Mr Allen is currently the only director outside of the University; other board members include Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) Professor Brigid Heywood and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Finance, Strategy and IT) Rose Anne MacLeod. It is the intention of the University to appoint another external director in the last quarter of 2012. Potential directors could register an interest by contacting Professor Heywood at B.Heywood@massey.ac.nz