Malaghan Benefactor inducted into Hall of Fame

16 Jul 2007

Malaghan Benefactor inducted into Business Hall of Fame

The namesake of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Len Malaghan, is the latest laureate to be inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame. He will be formally recognised at the Enterprise New Zealand Trust’s gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency, Auckland, on July 18 2007.

In 1986, the former Wellington Institute of Cancer and Medical Research was re-named the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in recognition of Len and Ann Malaghan who were avid supporters and generous benefactors for the Institute. Their children and grandchildren continue their legacy with their son Graham serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and other family members heavily involved with Fundraising initiatives.

Len Malaghan was born in 1906 and always had a keen eye for business. As a young man, he was a cheese and butter maker at the Tapanui Co-Operative Dairy Factory and qualified at age 20 to be a manager. He was appointed to a position in Wellington with the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture and was given the opportunity to train under a visiting ice cream manufacturer from the United States. This was to lead to a passion for ice cream and in 1936 Len and Ann opened a milk bar in Wellington specialising in ice cream and milkshakes. That humble enterprise was an immediate success and soon expanded into what we know today as Tip Top Ice Cream Ltd. Later, when the Auckland and Wellington branches of the company merged to become General Foods Corporation, Len Malaghan took the position of joint managing director. He was also on the board of J Watties Canneries.

Len’s generosity to the Wellington Medical Research Foundation began when he was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 56. He and his wife Ann, established a medical research trust by gifting shares in General Foods Corporation to the Foundation in 1967.

In 2007, the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research is one of New Zealand’s leading independent medical research facilities with over 75 scientists and support staff dedicated to the prevention and treatment of cancer, asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and infectious diseases. While Len passed away forty years ago, at the relatively young age of 61, the Malaghan Institute is proud to ensure that his legacy continues.

ENDS

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