His governance career includes 16 years on the University of Otago council, a stint as the university's pro-chancellor from 1999 to 2003 and its chancellor from 2004-08, as a partner at accountancy firm Deloitte in Dunedin for 30 years and as Deloitte's managing partner for 10 years.
Mr Brown is the current chairman of Otago Innovation, Technology Holdings, Foodco Group, Zelko New Zealand and Mornington Primary Health Trust, and he is a director of Mercy Hospital and a member of the Ashburn Clinic's trust board.
Previously, he chaired University of Otago Holdings, Southern Community Laboratories and the Otago-Southland division of the Cancer Society and also sat on the society's national board.
Mr Brown has also been a director of Dunedin International Airport, Pyne Gould Guinness and Reid Farmers.
He graduated from the University of Otago in 1965 with a bachelor of commerce degree and, in 2008, was awarded an honorary law degree in recognition of his service to the university.
Mr Brown is also a past fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and, in the 2011 New Year Honours List, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
