Major changes in the University of Otago’s senior leadership team are under way ahead of the arrival of the new vice-chancellor.
By the time former deputy prime minister Grant Robertson takes over as vice-chancellor in July there will have been almost wholesale change among the institution’s most senior leaders.
Of the university’s five most senior positions, only deputy vice-chancellor research and enterprise Richard Blaikie will have been in place at the start of this year.
Prof Stuart Brock took up the role of deputy vice-chancellor academic earlier this year.
The former deputy vice-chancellor academic at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Prof Brock replaced Prof Helen Nicholson, who had been acting vice-chancellor since March last year and had previously undertaken the role from the end of March 2021 until the end of January 2022.
Deputy vice-chancellor external engagement Prof Tony Ballantyne is stepping down and returning to a role as a professor in the in the history programme.
Recruitment for the external engagement role is now under way.
Recruitment has been under way for a pro-vice-chancellor in the Division of Health Sciences after Prof Paul Brunton’s departure.
An announcement regarding an appointment is expected soon.
The appointment of the university’s first-ever deputy vice-chancellor Māori, Prof Jacinta Ruru, became official this week.
