The UCOL Board has a new Chair, Verne Atmore, following the Hon. Steve Maharey’s appointment as Chair of ACC. Due to the increase in Maharey’s commitments with ACC and elsewhere, he will remain a UCOL Board member, although stepping back from the Chair role.
“With six years on the UCOL Board already, Verne’s willingness to step into the Chair role, combined with Steve’s commitment to continue to serve on the Board, will ensure continuity and a real strength in governance at UCOL,” said Murray Strong, Te Pūkenga Council Chair.
“I thank Steve for his work as Chair and his generosity in agreeing to stay on as a Board member. Te Pūkenga Council is also delighted to have such a highly capable replacement as Board Chair. It’s vital that we continue to have strong governance and leadership of Te Pūkenga subsidiaries as we seek to transform the sector for learners.”
Verne has been a member of UCOL governance for six years, was previously Chair of Audit and Risk Committee and served as a Director for Datamars Subsidiary Company.
With more than 20 years’ of senior executive management in private sector companies, Verne is an experienced business person.
New UCOL Board Chair, Verne said “I am looking forward to continuing to guide UCOL as the transition to Te Pūkenga occurs over the next few years through our Strategic Transition Plan. We have a great team and are focussed on a future that transforms the contribution vocational education makes to our country’s growth.”
The revised governance arrangements take effect from 14 May 2021.