13 August 2010 Business leader's connections with Lincoln University spanned decades

Sir Ron Trotter, who died at his home near Wellington on 11 August aged 82, had a long association with Lincoln University.

The former chairman of Fletcher Challenge, in its day New Zealand’s largest public company, held Lincoln University’s two highest awards  -  an Honorary Doctorate, conferred in 1999, and the Bledisloe Medal, presented in 1988. Both were in acknowledgement of his outstanding services to New Zealand’s land-based interests.

Sir Ron’s association with Lincoln University began in 1948 when he enrolled in one of the postwar Intensive Courses designed to prepare candidates for practical farming. He already held a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Victoria University and was one of the first degree qualified candidates to do a Lincoln University Intensive Course.

He subsequently entered the stock and station industry and displaying strong leadership ability he advanced rapidly. He became a protégé of Sir Clifford Plimmer, Managing Director of Wright Stephenson & Co Ltd and later succeeded him as head of the then largest stock and station agency in the Southern Hemisphere. From there, after the successful management of two major mergers, Sir Ron emerged as the head of New Zealand’s largest public company, Fletcher Challenge. That company went on to stamp its mark on New Zealand’s rural economy and national prosperity.

On receiving an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree from Lincoln University in 1999 Sir Ron recommended a career in business to the other graduates assembled at the ceremony. In his address he assured them it would be “fun and exciting”.

The central task of business was to produce the goods and services for society’s needs, he said, but businesses failed if they did not also enhance and preserve the resources entrusted to them. They therefore had a stewardship role too, he emphasised.

Of his time at Lincoln University as a student he said that in addition to academic excellence and knowledge other important matters were reinforced.

“These were values that were not taught or even written down, but they were part of the way we did things. You seemed to sense it.”

He listed the values as strength of character; the virtue of hard work; making time for fun; the practical application of knowledge; self-reliance; responsibility; and an awareness that people were important.

Sir Ron said he was delighted that his honorary doctorate from Lincoln University was in Commerce because it was in business that he had spent his working life. 
Lincoln University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Roger Field says “It is with immense regret that we recognise the passing of Sir Ron Trotter, who contributed so much to New Zealand business and as an alumnus of Lincoln University.”

Sir Ronald Trotter is pictured here with Sir Donald McKinnon in 1999 on the occasion of both prominent New Zealanders receiving honorary doctorates from Lincoln University.