Bryan Mogridge, Chair

Bryan gained a degree in Biochemistry at Massey. He entered the wine industry as General Manager of Corbans in 1983 before being appointed in October 1984 as Managing Director and CEO of New Zealand's largest and publicly listed wine company, Montana Wines

In 1985 he was elected the Chairman of The NZ Wine Institute (now New Zealand Winegrowers), and became an inaugural Life Member in 1998.  In the same year he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the wine industry. In 2008 he was inducted into the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame. During this time Bryan was instrumental in building a solid export base for all New Zealand wine.

Bryan has a passion for philanthropy and among many activities has been a trustee of the Starship Foundation since its inception and chairman for the past 20 years.

Professor Pierre Venter, Vice-Chancellor & ex-officio member. PhD, BSc (Hons), BSc

Professor Pierre Venter took up the role of Vice-Chancellor in February 2026.

Originally from South Africa, Professor Venter completed a PhD in Microbiology, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Microbiology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. He then spent 7 years at the Central University of Technology, Free State, where he became a Professor.

Professor Venter moved to Palmerston North in 2011 to work at Fonterra. Most recently, he has held the role of Director of Research and Development. His team won multiple global product innovation awards. In 2024, he was awarded the Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award at the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology Awards. 

He currently sits on the International Food Industry Advisory Council, is an Executive Board Member of FoodHQ and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Throughout his career, Professor Venter has been motivated by the opportunity to help people and ideas connect in ways that create practical value, whether through science, education or partnerships, and to make a difference to the community.

Dianne Kidd

Dianne graduated from Massey University in 1977 with an Arts degree majoring in Geography. She enjoyed a diverse career in education and the NZ funds management sector before turning her hand to a number of non executive governance roles over the last decade.

With her husband Richard Kidd (also Massey University graduate B.Ag.Sc) they actively farm a 376 ha Helensville sheep & beef farm and are the 2016 National winners of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards & Gordon Stephenson Trophy.  Dianne is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. 

Dianne was recognised in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to health administration.

Whenuanui Farm is on the edge of Auckland city. The farm is recognised and respected for its productivity and proactive environmental management. Their son David Kidd graduated from Massey University in 2006.   David was the 2014 ANZ Young Farmer of the year.

Ross McEwan CBE

Ross McEwan is a former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of National Australia Bank. He retired in April 2024 with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University, New Zealand. In 2020 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the financial sector.

Ross has significant executive experience, including in the financial services industry, with deep expertise in capital allocation, risk management and value creation in complex regulatory environments.

Ross was a former Group CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) from 2013 to 2019. Before this, he held executive roles at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, First NZ Capital Securities and National Mutual Life Association of Australasia / AXA New Zealand.

He is currently a Non-Executive Director of BHP. Ross is also on the Board of QinetiQ Group plc, Ruminant Biotech Corp Limited and Ruminant Biotech Australia Pty Ltd. Ross is also a director of the Massey University Foundation.

Professor Wayne McIlwraith

Dr. McIlwraith obtained his veterinary degree from Massey University in 1971. He practiced in New Zealand and the UK, followed by an internship at the University of Guelph, Canada, a surgical residency at Purdue University and obtained MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University. Since 1979 he has been a faculty member at Colorado State University.

Currently he is a University Distinguished Professor, holds the Barbara Cox Anthony University Endowed Chair in Orthopaedics and is founding Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center and the Musculoskeletal Research Program at Colorado State University. He also has a referral surgical practice in Southern California and consults elsewhere in the US and also in Ireland, England and France.

He is a recognised leader in the fields of equine orthopaedic surgery and research.

He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons as well as a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK). He is a Past President of AAEP, ACVS and The Veterinary Orthopaedic Society.

Adam Peren

Shelley Turner

Shelley Turner has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in the state sector, with a proven background of delivery and organisational leadership. Most recently, she was acting Chief Executive and Director of the Civil Aviation Authority and Deputy Chief Executive responsible for all corporate services.

Shelley has held several senior roles in the New Zealand intelligence community, including Deputy Director General and General Manager, Intelligence Community Shared Services. She brings a strong HR background, in both the State Services Commission, a prior role with the Civil Aviation Authority, and a previous role in the intelligence community.