New Chief Executive for Education New Zealand

New Chief Executive for Education New Zealand

The Chair and Board of Education New Zealand are delighted to announce the appointment of Grant McPherson as the Chief Executive of the Government agency.

Education New Zealand was created on 1 September 2011 to support the Government’s ambitious goals to grow earnings from international students and education services exports. The agency is also responsible for New Zealand’s education diplomacy programme.

“Grant McPherson brings a mix of senior private sector and public sector experience to what is an extremely challenging position. He will be required to lead his team to develop and implement a series of strategies to deliver on the Government’s ambitious expectations of Education New Zealand,” says Charles Finny, Board Chair.

“Grant’s offshore experience, including as NZTE’s Regional Director for South and South East Asia, and his time as Deputy CE of NZTE, are particularly relevant to his new role.

“It is essential that Education New Zealand work closely with the international education sector and those Government entities focused in the international space. Relations with MFAT, NZTE, Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Education will be critical. Grant has a proven track record of working closely with other parts of the Government.”

Grant McPherson will begin his new role in January.

“The Board would like to thank Lester Wolfreys who has been employed as interim CE since 1 September. Lester and the staff at Education New Zealand have made an excellent start on building a new agency that can deliver on the Government’s international education goals.”

Lester Wolfreys will continue his role at Education New Zealand until Grant McPherson starts with the agency.

For more information on Education New Zealand, go to www.educationnz.govt.nz.

ENDS