Lincoln University heads West for new leadership
By Peter Kerr
March 6 (BusinessDesk) – Lincoln University has appointed Andy West to be its new head from mid-April.
The former chief executive of two crown research institutes - Geological & Nuclear Sciences and AgResearch, West will take over Lincoln’s Vice-Chancellor role from Roger Field who announced his
intention to retire last August.
West’s career spans education, science and innovation, agriculture, process manufacturing and tourism, following a BSc
in Ecology from the University of Westminster and a PhD from the Council for National Academic Awards prior to
immigrating to New Zealand.
He was also instrumental in the establishment and early leadership of the NZ Tertiary Education Commission and in
running the NZ Qualifications Authority.
An international executive search process took place over the summer said Lincoln Chancellor, Tom Lambie. Given recent
Canterbury earthquakes and the need to increase land-based productivity, the university is “fortunate to have been able
to secure the skills of Dr West for this role,” Lambie said.
West received the Royal Society’s Thomson Medal for outstanding contributions to the development of science and
technology in 2008, an Honorary Fellowship of Waikato Institute of Technology in 2009 and most recently, a Companionship
of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2010.
West said Lincoln has a well-earned global reputation.
“Lincoln University is New Zealand’s only specialist university and the only university to be located in the
countryside, true to the spirit of its land-based specialisation,” West said. “Long may that continue.”
(BusinessDesk)