Fonterra’s Pierre Venter named next vice chancellor of Massey University

Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role next February, replacing Professor Jan Thomas who has been the VC at the university since 2017. 

Venter was born and educated in South Africa where he was a researcher and later professor at the Central University of Technology in the Free State. He holds a PhD in Microbiology.

In 2011, he came to Fonterra and held several science roles, all based at the company's R&D Centre in Palmerston North. In 2019, he was appointed as GM of Innovation Services and in 2023 became the director of the facility which is focused on developing what he calls the "next generation dairy solutions".

Massey Chancellor Allistair Davis says Venter's appointment marks a significant milestone for the university.

He says his leadership, strategic insight, and commitment to innovation and inclusion will be instrumental in strengthening its impact both locally and globally. 

He says Venter's experience of both academia and applying research into the commercial world will bring a fresh lens to this sector-wide challenge.

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"With Professor Venter coming from NZ's largest exporter, and an organisation deeply embedded in the agricultural sector, Massey is reinforcing its highly regarded reputation as an applied university at the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand's economy," he says.

Venter says what drew him to Massey was its proud heritage, clear sense of purpose, and global reach and says it plays a vital role in areas that matter most to NZ.

"I see enormous potential to strengthen Massey's leadership position both here and globally, to further modernise how it delivers education, and to build new partnerships with industry and government. Massey has the scale and capability to lead the next generation of universities, and I’m excited to work with staff, students, and Council to bring that vision to life,” he says.