Honorary Degrees For Business Leaders

27 January 2012

The University of Auckland is bestowing honorary doctorates on two prominent New Zealand business figures, Hugh Fletcher and Owen G Glenn ONZM, in recognition of their major contributions to New Zealand and to the University’s well-being in recent years.

Both will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at a ceremony at the Maidment Theatre (Wednesday 1 February, 6pm).

Hugh Fletcher is a former CEO of Fletcher Challenge Ltd whose time in business was remembered as one of innovation. Mr Fletcher retired in 1997 but is still on the board of Fletcher Building as well as holding a number of other directorships, among them the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and advisory positions.

Since graduating with a BSc and MCom with honours from Auckland he has strongly supported the University.

He served 12 years as a University Council member and was Chancellor from 2004 to 2008. His insights and business experience helped the University develop programmes and facilities needed to maintain its position as a leading research-driven institution. He championed such ambitious initiatives as the new Business School, the Centre for Brain Research, the expansion of the Grafton (Medical and Health Sciences) Campus, and creation of the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology.

Mr Fletcher is a Trustee of The University of Auckland Foundation which manages and distributes philanthropic funds given to the University.

Owen G Glenn created a successful global business in freight forwarding and is recognised as an international leader in the logistics industry. He helped develop a new business model providing “full service” to customers at both points of origin and destination.

Although born in Calcutta, Mr Glenn and his family emigrated to New Zealand when he was 12. He was educated and found his first job in New Zealand. His family philanthropic foundation supports activities in New Zealand, India, Fiji, and China.

His support for the University reflects his strong and enduring interest in higher education and his firm belief that the University has an important role to play in the economic and social development of New Zealand.

To acknowledge his generosity in donating $7.5 million towards establishing a globally competitive and internationally recognised business school the University named the new building opened in 2008 after him.

Mr Glenn has also financially supported a professorial chair in Marine Science, a PhD scholarship in the Business School and a chair in Molecular Cancer.

He regularly visits the University and the Business School, is a member of the Business School’s Supporters’ Council and was on the Business School’s initial advisory board.

Currently the University has 49 living honorary graduates, among them the Rt Hon Helen Clark, the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, Maurice Gee, Sir Anand Satyanand, Elizabeth Smither, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Catherine Tizard and Sir Miles Warren. Most have been made Doctors of Engineering, Laws, Literature, Music or Science.

ENDS