06 July 2005
Marketing expert to lead Victoria University’s Commerce & Administration Faculty
Professor Peter Thirkell has been appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Commerce & Administration.
“We are delighted to appoint someone of Professor Thirkell’s calibre,” said Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pat Walsh,
“particularly as he has already demonstrated his considerable leadership skills while acting in this role for the past
six months.”
Professor Thirkell was Head of the School of Marketing & International Business for three years and Head of the Marketing Group at Victoria for nine years. His specialist
interests include brand management, internet-based marketing and electronic commerce, multi-media based decision support
applications for marketers, relationship marketing, consumer satisfaction, exporting, new product development, and
marketing future. He has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels including PhD thesis supervision and
external examination.
“I look forward to leading the Faculty as we implement a renewed focus on research-led learning and teaching, to ensure
that Victoria’s graduates are all well-equipped for the future marketplace where thinking skills, creativity and
excellent communication skills are to be prized,” said Professor Thirkell.
He is a founding Executive Member of the Australia New Zealand Marketing Academy, and prior to taking up his appointment
as Professor of Marketing in 1989, held senior marketing roles at Waitaki International Ltd, Borthwicks Ltd, and
Colgate-Palmolive (NZ) Ltd.
Professor Thirkell holds a PhD in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of Western Ontario, a Master
in Commerce & Administration (Business Administration) with Distinction from Victoria University of Wellington along with a BCA
(First Class Honours).
In 2003, Professor Thirkell was a Specialist Advisor to the Government’s Performance-Based Research Fund exercise and
has held many academic leadership roles at Victoria University.
His appointment is for a two and a half year fixed term.
ENDS