10 February 1997 New Vice-Chancellor soon in office

Lincoln University's new Vice-Chancellor, Dr Frank Wood, takes up his post on 1 March, six-and-a-half months after the departure of Professor Bruce Ross for the director-generalship of Agriculture. Professor Roger Field has been Acting Vice-Chancellor in the interim.

Dr Wood comes to Lincoln from the position of Chief Executive of New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd, Rotorua, having headed that body since it first became a Crown Research Institute in mid-1991.

The appointment brings Dr Wood's career full circle in terms of location as, on completing his PhD at the University of Canterbury in the early 1970s (with research on the biology of soil dwelling nematodes), his first job was with the then DSIR at Lincoln.

Describing him as "ideally qualified to lead Lincoln into the next millennium", Lincoln's Chancellor Malcolm Cameron says Dr Wood will bring to the Vice-Chancellor's position a combination of eminence in science and proven leadership as a chief executive of a successful international science business.

"As Lincoln faces the challenges of an increasingly competitive educational marketplace, the Council believes that Dr Wood will help define and deliver the educational products which will allow the University to excel in its commerce and science specialities," says Mr Cameron.

In addition to personal educational and employment experience relevant to Lincoln, Dr Wood has a demonstrated strong interest in education development. He recently chaired the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's Tertiary Action Group and is a past member of the Council of Waiariki Polytechnic, Rotorua. Dr Wood has a Master of Agricultural Science (Honours) degree from Massey University – in Plant Science – and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Canterbury.

From a background as a research scientist with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr Wood moved to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries where he worked in a number of leadership positions including Director of the Soil and Plant Research Station and, in 1987, regional manager of MAF Quality Management (North Region), both based at Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre.

In MAF Quality Management, Dr Wood was responsible for establishing the new business, forming one service-oriented organisation from five MAF divisions. Dr Wood managed the design of the new organisation, developed the business plans and introduced modern business approaches.

At the Forest Research Institute he headed an organisation with 445 staff and an annual revenue of approximately $40 million. All income is derived from commercial bidding, with 46 percent from non-Government sources.

In his time as CEO he has concentrated on re-focusing FRI's research direction through a series of science initiatives which highlighted the company's breadth and depth of skills and experience. He oversaw the restructuring of FRI's organisation and the implementation of modern management systems and practices.

"Dr Wood will bring to Lincoln University invaluable experience in change management and the management of large, complex organisations," says the Chancellor.

"The University Council is confident that these management skills, combined with Dr Wood's depth of research and applied science experience will make him an ideal Vice-Chancellor to lead Lincoln."