Source: Te Pukenga
Te Pūkenga has confirmed appointments to its executive team today, including Deputy Chief Executives of Academic Centre and Learning Systems, Ako Delivery, and Strategy and Transformation.
Te Pūkenga confirmed the roles that would make up its permanent executive structure on 6 October 2022. At the time, Acting Chief Executive Peter Winder also confirmed Keri-Anne Tane as Chief People Office and Teresa Pollard as Chief Digital Officer. Since then, Michelle Teirney has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer.
Megan Gibbons has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Academic Centre and Learning Systems, leading the central programme design and development function, and working with industry and subject matter experts from around the Ako Delivery operations.
Acting Chief Executive Peter Winder says that Megan brings a wide range of experience from a number of roles at Otago Polytechnic and is well connected across the health sector and Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics.
“Megan is passionate about the life changing power of education and has played a role in pioneering higher level apprenticeships. Her coaching of athletics reflects her constant pursuit of excellence,” Mr Winder says.
Dr Gibbons says “I’m excited about the opportunities this role brings – to ensure our delivery across the motu meets the needs of industry and employers, sets ākonga (learners) up to thrive and is future focused.”
Gus Gilmore has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Ako Delivery, leading all teaching and training, delivery of wrap-around services, platforms and facilities that will enable our learners to succeed.
“Gus brings extensive experience across the whole sector. He is currently Executive Director Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec, but he’s also brings experience in work based learning, and in funding frameworks from his time at the Tertiary Education Commission. His experience at Air New Zealand will provide a strong foundation to lead our own complex regional management,” Mr Winder says.
Mr Gilmore says “I’m humbled to be appointed to lead our core teaching and learning delivery across the motu. It’s what transforms the lives of New Zealanders and their whānau every day.”
Richard Forgan has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Strategy and Transformation. Richard is currently providing leadership in the development of our Organisational Design and Change. This role will continue to include oversight of this programme and will set the overarching strategy for Te Pūkenga that will set the success of learners and trainees front and centre for the whole Network.
“Having been involved from the beginning of the Reform of Vocational Education, and with deep understanding of the vocational sector, Richard’s expertise will be vital as we move through a significant period of change. He’s a recognised strategic thinker who will be an asset to our leadership team,” Mr Winder says.
Mr Forgan says “Our people are so important to delivering transformative vocational and applied education – I look forward to supporting them through this journey so they can focus on our learners.”
Dr Gibbons, Mr Gilmore and Mr Forgan will begin in the roles from today. Recruitment for the DCE Learner and employer Experience and Attraction, Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief Executive Tiriti Outcomes are continuing and further announcements will be made as soon as possible.
Te Pūkenga, New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, was established in 2020 as one of seven key changes of the Reform of Vocational Education. Te Pūkenga is bringing together a national network of integrated learning that supports learners, employers and communities to gain the skills, knowledge, and capabilities Aotearoa needs now and for the future.
Biographies
Megan Gibbons
Megan is a successful educator who won the Ako Aotearoa National Award in Excellence in Tertiary Teaching in 2016. Prior her appointment as Chief Executive of Otago Polytechnic in 2020 she was the Deputy Chief Executive for People and Performance. Megan has expertise in academic leadership, with strengths in curriculum development and leadership development. She completed the Educational Leadership Programme at Harvard University in 2019. She is a New Zealand Athletics coach, and well recognised within Otago Sport. She is a judge for the annual Otago Sports Awards.
Gus Gilmore
Gus was appointed as the joint Chief Executive of Unitec and MIT in August 2020. Before he was appointed to his joint role, he had been Chief Executive of MIT since September 2016. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Chief Executive of Operations at the Tertiary Education Commission where he was responsible for funding tertiary education in New Zealand and implementing education policy. Prior to this, Gus held the role of Project Director for Star Alliance and held various General Manager roles at Air New Zealand, including GM Operations for the international airline.
Richard Forgan
Richard Forgan has held the transitional role of Deputy Chief Executive Transformation at Te Pūkenga since July 2022. Prior to that, Richard was a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) consulting practice. He was formerly Deputy Secretary, Budget & Public Services at the Treasury and the inaugural executive director of the National Infrastructure Unit. During his time at PwC, Richard led work on the Reform of Vocational Education and supported the establishment of the six Workforce Development Councils.
