An Otago alumnus with extensive public sector senior management and governance expertise has been appointed to the University of Otago Council.
Brendan Boyle, who has held several leading roles in key government agencies, has been appointed by the Council for a four-year term from November 1, 2022, replacing Carrie Hobson.
Mr Boyle’s top-level experience includes his current role serving as a panel member of the Ministerial Review into the Future for Local Government as well as his previous role as a member of the COVID-19 Taskforce for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
His senior leadership roles also include serving as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development for eight years, as well as Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs, and Chief Executive of Land Information New Zealand.
Mr Boyle says he is privileged to have been appointed.
“The University has been an important part of my life and I have had a forty-year association with Otago – initially as a student and then in recent years as a parent of three children who have all attended Otago and thrived in its unique environment.
Mr Boyle graduated the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Laws in 1991, before completing a Master of Business Administration at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.
In his new Council role he says he hopes to bring experience as both a governor and formerly as a Chief Executive who has led organisations of scale and complexity.
“I intend to focus on the critical role of organisational culture and its significance in shaping the University.
“I have extensive experience in change management and digital transformation in a state sector context, and a deep appreciation of the traditions and critical role that academia plays in society as well as knowledge of, and strong relationships within central government.”
He hopes to assist the University’s leadership navigate the modern learning challenges brought on by the aftermath of the pandemic, while maintaining a strong focus on preserving the ‘Otago experience’ that makes the University unique.
Chancellor Stephen Higgs says he is extremely pleased to welcome Mr Boyle as a new member of Council.
“I have no doubt Mr Boyle’s wealth of government leadership experience will prove highly beneficial to our Council, and we are fortunate to welcome an appointee of his calibre to this role.”
