KEY APPOINTMENTS IN THE WAIKATO
If you have a key appointment you would like to announce please contact Rebecca.
Susan Hassall
The University of Waikato has appointed respected education leader Susan Hassall as its next Chancellor, effective from 1 July.
Susan succeeds Chancellor, Sir Anand Satyanand, who has led the University Council in this role since 2019.
A former Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School of 25 years, Mrs Hassall has held the role of Pro-Chancellor of the University of Waikato for the past eight years and has been a member on the University Council for the past nine.
Since retiring last year as Headmaster at Hamilton Boys’ High School, she has spent the past 10 months as CEO for Hospice Waikato, alongside her role on the University Council.
Mrs Hassall is looking forward to continuing to work with Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley, and the wider Council.
As for what Mrs Hassall wants to achieve as Chancellor, it’s “to make sure there is a steady ship as the University moves forward over the next few years”.
There is a special aspect of the Chancellor’s role, not just chairing Council meetings, that Mrs Hassall is also looking forward to being part of.
"I love graduations, so that's a very special part of the role that I'm looking forward to. I've already attended some of the graduations in my role as Pro-Chancellor and it's something I find so rewarding.”
Craig West
Tainui Group Holdings (TGH), the commercial entity of Waikato-Tainui has appointed experienced business leader Craig West (Ngaati Apakura) as its next Chief Executive Officer.
Craig joins TGH following a two-decade career with Downer Group a major Australasian transport and infrastructure business, where he led a team of more than 4,000 kaimahi across New Zealand and the Pacific, managing a portfolio generating over $1.8bn of annual revenue.
He was most recently Downer's New Zealand Country Lead and Executive General Manager of Transport & Infrastructure.
His experience includes leading major infrastructure partnerships, commercial turnarounds, and critical disaster responses - including forming the East Coast Alliance following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Beyond his commercial leadership, Craig played a pivotal role in Downer's Maaori development strategy. He was chair of Te Korowai, Downer NZ's Māori Advisory Board where he championed initiatives to support Maaori staff into leadership pathways, foster iwi relationships, and deepen cultural identity across the business.
Mr West will formally start in the new role in September 2025. Until then, Richard Jefferies will continue in the Acting CEO role.
Michael Ocego
Montana Group is thrilled to welcome Michael Ocego as the new Director of Operations.
With a strong track record in building high-performing teams and delivering meaningful operational impact, Michael brings significant leadership experience to the role. He spent the last ten years at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, including the past three as Chief Executive.
His background includes senior leadership roles across food service and event catering, and he is passionate about driving efficiency, empowering people, and delivering excellence at every level of the business.
Michael will be overseeing operations across all aspects of the group and is looking forward to spending the next couple of months getting familiar with the business. The team looks forward to the fresh perspective and expertise he will bring as the company enters its next phase of growth.
Kiani Tuhua
The Waikato Chamber of Commerce are thrilled to welcome Kiani Tuhua as the South Waikato Business Lead. Kiani will be based in the South Waikato as a key point of contact for the local business community. Her part-time role focuses on building strong relationships, driving membership growth, and ensuring the voices of South Waikato businesses are heard and supported. With a passion for connection and a commitment to helping businesses thrive, she brings both expertise and heart to the role. She also continues in her position as Community Engagement and Partnerships Lead at SWIFT, deepening her impact across the district. Read more about Kiani here.
Mark Wylie
SkyCity Hamilton is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Wylie to the position of Head of Hospitality. Mark will be responsible for leading all aspects of SkyCity Hamilton’s hospitality function including food and beverage, conferences and events and Bowl and Social.
Mark is an experienced chef, hospitality professional and business leader and is looking forward to bringing his expertise to SkyCity Hamilton. Mark’s extensive experience includes two prior appointments within SkyCity Entertainment Group, senior roles in New Zealand at Hip Group, Cater Plus, Rollex Group and Southern Hospitality and most recently as Chief Executive of Montana Group.
Based in Raglan with his family, Mark is excited about returning to SkyCity and working with the fantastic team to continue to enhance the offer and experience at SkyCity Hamilton and sharing this offer with the Waikato community.
Melissa Le Prou
Fosters has named Melissa (Mel) Le Prou as its new Chief Financial Officer – the internal appointment reinforcing Fosters’ commitment to developing top talent.
Mel joined Fosters as Finance Manager in 2021, having progressed from school leaver to Senior Manager over a period of 10 years with KPMG. She was quickly identified as a future leader and completed Fosters’ Senior Leadership Course. Her people-focused leadership style, combined with a strong financial acumen, has made her a trusted figure within the business - she’s well known for her reliability, approachability, and ambition.
A Chartered Accountant with a Business degree, Mel thrives on collaboration and strategic financial oversight.
CEO Nigel Sun is pleased to have Mel join the Fosters Executive Leadership team: "Mel started with us 3.5 years ago and has worked closely with our outgoing CFO, gaining invaluable leadership experience. Her recent promotion is testament to her dedication, expertise, and growth. We are incredibly proud of her."
Alex Gordon
On Monday the 10th of March, the Board and staff at Hospice Waikato welcomed Alex Gordon, the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Born and bred in the UK, Alex has an MSc in Healthcare management and post-graduate Diplomas in Business and in Health Services Management. He has undertaken a comprehensive executive education in healthcare leadership, through completing NHS London’s Next Generation Directors Programme, delivered by Hult International Business School. Whilst still in the UK, Alex spent 11 years in various governance roles at Richard House, London's first children's hospice.
Alex is no stranger to serious illnesses and end of life care. He arrived in New Zealand 9 years ago, and prior to joining Hospice Waikato, he managed Te Whatu Ora Waikato Hospital’s Cancer and Chronic Condition service, including the hospital’s in-patient palliative care service.
Whilst many of his formal qualifications are focused on healthcare, Alex has had significant experience across many areas of organisational and performance management, of particular note as the Hospital lead for the second response to the Covid pandemic, the Directorate lead for the response to the DHB’s devastating cyber-attack, and the Executive lead for the DHB’s response to the Whakaari/White Island incident.
With more than 20 years of experience in health services management at both a strategic and operational level, the Hospice Waikato team are looking forward to the energetic and collaborative leadership style Alex will bring to the organisation. Already Alex has shared that he is looking forward to leading “in appreciation of Hospice Waikato’s history, its values, its staff and the large team of volunteers, all of whom dedicate their time to a very special organisation.”
Alex made the most of the opportunity to take a long break over the kiwi summer, spending some very special time with his family. He also spent 20 days walking part of the Te Araroa trail, solo, with nothing but a backpack and a tent.
After almost three weeks on the job, he is very much enjoying being ensconced in Hospice Waikato and we are looking forward to introducing him to our hospice community over the coming months.
Hospice Waikato would also like to acknowledge and thank Susan Hassall for the guidance and love she had given the organisation over the last 10 months, ever since she stepped into the role as Acting CEO for what was initially expected to be a three-month period.
Prior to taking up this role, Susan had very recently retired from a 40-year career at Hamilton Boys High School, where she had led the school as Headmaster since 1999. During her 10 months at the helm of Hospice Waikato, she led with the same kindness and wisdom she had shown to literally tens of thousands of boys at that school.
Susan returns to the Board of Hospice Waikato, in the role of Chairperson.
