Industry Skills Boards and polytechnics appoint chief executives
Industry Skills Boards and polytechnics appoint chief executives
Most of the newly established Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) and stand-alone polytechnics have announced their chief executives (CEs), in time for beginning operations on 1 January 2026.
Most of the newly established Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) and stand-alone polytechnics have announced their chief executives (CEs), in time for beginning operations on 1 January 2026.
Industry Skills Boards
Seven of the eight ISB councils have appointed their CEs. These important roles are responsible for leading the new organisations as they establish themselves and set up their core functions.
- Construction and Specialist Trades ISB: Erica Cumming
- Education, Health and Community ISB: Hina Davis
- Energy and Infrastructure ISB: Philip Aldridge
- Food and Fibre ISB: Craig Langdon
- Manufacturing and Engineering ISB: Bill Sole
- Services ISB: Te Oho Reedy
- Transport ISB: Samantha McNaughton (fixed-term)
The Electrotechnology and Information Technology ISB has yet to appoint its CE. In the interim, its Chair is acting CE.
Polytechnics
Seven of the ten new stand-alone polytechnics have also announced their CEs. These appointments include individuals with strong tertiary education experience and will lead the work to re-establish independence and regional connections.
- Ara Institute of Canterbury: Darren Mitchell
- Eastern Institute of Technology: Lucy Laitinen
- Open Polytechnic of New Zealand: Sharon Cooke
- Otago Polytechnic: Andrew McSweeney
- Southern Institute of Technology: Bharat Guha
- Universal College of Learning: Jasmine Groves
- Waikato Institute of Technology: Warwick Pitts