AUT Council elects new Chancellor
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has a new Chancellor, Rob Campbell CNZM, who has been elected by the University’s Council.
Rob is one of New Zealand’s leading professional directors, with more than 40 years’ experience in capital markets and as director and advisor to local and international businesses and organisations.
He is committed to seeing Aotearoa take a leadership role in the field of emissions lowering energy innovation and commercialisation, and is passionate about improving diversity and inclusion, promoting sustainability as a core value, and creating equality in the organisations he is involved with.
Commenting on the opportunity to lead the governance board of a world-class University, Rob noted the importance of quality tertiary education for all New Zealanders.
“It’s a privilege to contribute to AUT’s journey and I couldn’t agree more with the University’s mission of Great Graduates.
“Along with the pursuit of knowledge through research that has real impact for New Zealand and beyond, AUT’s world-class learning experiences ensure graduates are ready to address the many challenges facing our country,” he said.
Mindful of the University’s own challenges including reduced international student numbers and recent concerns about culture addressed by an Independent Review, the new Chancellor is welcoming the chance to advise and support AUT.
“I know this has been a difficult time. There is work to be done. I also note the huge passion and focus on AUT students and research that is a unifying factor and believe this provides a meaningful platform for us to improve and grow,” he said.
Trained as an economist and holding degrees of BA (Hons)(1st) and M.Phil. (Economics) Rob joined the union movement in the 1970s and became a member of the Federation of Labour and Labour Party executives. He was previously a Director of numerous private and public sector companies and is currently chair of SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd, Summerset Group Ltd, Tourism Holdings Ltd, WEL Networks Ltd, Ara Ake Ltd, NZ Rural Land Co Ltd.
In 2019, Rob was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors (CFinstD). He was recognised as a Distinguished Alumni of Victoria University (Te Herenga Waka) in 2019.
Rob succeeds AUT’s outgoing Chancellor John Maasland who served on the AUT Council from 2009 and became Chancellor in 2012, presiding over AUT’s growth and development to a top 1% world ranked university.