Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Field will retire from the role in April 2012. Dr West will take up the position of Vice-Chancellor from 16 April.
West has gained a high public profile in his roles as leader of the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Ltd (GNS) and then AgResearch Ltd. As Chief Executive of these organisations, West focused particularly on wealth creation and environmental management, working extensively with the oil, gas, minerals, seafood, dairy, meat, wool, agritechnology and biotechnology industries, and firms therein, including overseeing mergers and acquisitions.
West was instrumental in the establishment and early leadership of the NZ Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and in running the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Throughout his career, Dr West has also been involved in a large number of directorships, predominantly within the primary industry sector, but also with a strong emphasis on innovation and commercialisation.
“The Council is delighted to be able to make this appointment. We had a number of very high calibre applicants – showing the regard this institution is held in, both here and overseas – and the selection process has been rigorous and closely fought. As a result we now have the right person to lead this university into the future,” says Lincoln University Chancellor, Tom Lambie.
