Group Chief Financial Officer Appointed

Dunedin (Monday, 14 October 2013) – The University of Otago’s Director of Financial Services, Grant McKenzie, has been appointed as the Dunedin City Council’s Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO).

Announcing the appointment of Mr McKenzie to this newly-created role, DCC Chief Executive Paul Orders says, “Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role and will be instrumental in ensuring the effective and efficient management of DCC group finances.”

Mr McKenzie is a graduate of the University. He has a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting, and is a Chartered Accountant. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

For the past eight and a half years, Mr McKenzie has been the University’s Director of Financial Services. In this role he has been responsible for the overall accounting function for the University and the wider University group.

Mr McKenzie is a director for several subsidiary companies within the University group, including the University of Otago Foundation Studies Limited, Unipol Recreation Limited and University Union Limited. He is also an elected trustee of the New Zealand University Superannuation Scheme.

Before working at the University, Mr McKenzie was the Group Accountant at Allied Press Limited. He has also worked for Dunedin business advisory firm Taylor McLachlan.

Mr McKenzie says, ”I’m very pleased to have been appointed to the role and look forward to the new challenges ahead.”

The new position of Group Chief Financial Officer replaces the DCC’s Chief Financial Officer (currently a vacant post),with the role expanded to include the provision of financial advice and support to the Board of Dunedin City Holdings Limited (DCHL). The role will also create more cohesive financial management between the DCC and Dunedin City Holdings Limited. Twenty eight applications were received for the position, from New Zealand and overseas.

DCHL Chair Graham Crombie says, “I’m really pleased Grant is joining us and look forward to having his experience and ideas around the table.”

The current position of Chief Executive of DCHL will be disestablished when Mr McKenzie takes up his GCFO role in late January. Mr Crombie says the significant contribution of DCHL Chief Executive Bevan Dodds will be recognised and an appropriate handover arranged.

ENDS

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