Kiwi philanthropist is awarded CPA Australia’s highest honour
Owen Glenn becomes an Honorary Fellow of CPA Australia
Auckland, 14 October 2011 – CPA Australia awarded renowned business leader and philanthropist Owen Glenn with its
highest honour, Honorary Fellow, at an event at SKYCITY on Wednesday night
Becoming an Honorary Fellow represents CPA Australia’s highest honour. It is a designation that is reserved for
outstanding individuals that truly embody the values and ideals of the organisation, and who have set the standard in
their industry and delivered on a vision to build their own companies while contributing to their countries.
David Searle, New Zealand Branch Council President, noted that CPA Australia’s presence in New Zealand has grown
considerably over the last 20 years and said that this appointment marks an exciting milestone for the local branch.
“We have a number of Fellow CPAs in New Zealand, but this is the first time we have had an honorary fellow join the
ranks which is a major step for New Zealand.”
Mr Searle, together with Nigel Morrison, Chief Executive of SKYCITY and also a CPA Australia Fellow, highlighted Mr
Glenn’s achievements, which ranged from founding OTS Logistics Group, which is now one of the world's largest
non-vessel-operating common carriers, to winning various awards, including the USA Entrepreneur of the Year award for
his business vision, to supporting numerous charities through the Glenn Family Foundation.
The foundation made what is believed to be the largest private donation ($7.5 million) in New Zealand educational
history to the University of Auckland Business School. In 2008, his charitable contributions to New Zealand and his
success as a businessman were recognised by Mr Glenn being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Chye Heng, CFO and executive director of Beca and past President and current Councillor for the New Zealand branch of
CPA Australia, presented Owen with his award. Chye referred to the focus CPA Australia has on education.
“One of the keys to developing a new generation of talented young entrepreneurs in New Zealand is for them to be
inspired by outstanding Kiwi role models who have gone before them and worked hard to build successful businesses around
the world. Owen is an outstanding role model, a beacon if you like, as we look for ways to navigate an increasingly
volatile global economy. Owen has a clear vision for a better New Zealand, and having him as a friend and member of CPA
Australia will help us in our work to cultivate global financial leadership and expertise here in New Zealand.”
In receiving the award Owen said “New Zealand benefits from the international experience gained by our professionals.
I’m honoured to be recognised for contributing to this body of knowledge and also delighted to join the ranks of a
family tradition. With both my brother and my late father serving in the finance profession, our family get-togethers
were punctuated with vigorous debates between the accounting versus marketing perspectives!” said Glenn. “It would
indeed have made my father proud, as it does myself, to accept, with humility, this wonderful gesture.”
About CPA Australia in New Zealand
CPA Australia is the global professional accountancy designation for strategic business leaders. CPA Australia members
in New Zealand contribute to a worldwide membership of over 132,000. CPA Australia members are leaders of many of New
Zealand’s largest and most recognised organisations from Beca to Adidas and Villa Maria to Bank of New Zealand.
ENDS