"Of course, you need to make profit in a business," says newly-knighted Sir David Levene but most important for him during his long business career has been "security for my people and my family."Now aged 80, he was today made a Knight
"Of course, you need to make profit in a business," says newly-knighted Sir David Levene but most important for him during his long business career has been "security for my people and my family."
Now aged 80, he was today made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to business and the community.
Sir David first worked in the family paint business in 1947, spent a few years elsewhere, then returned to take over management of the firm in 1952 when he was 23 years-old.
During the next 40 years the company adopted many retailing innovations as it became a household name, before he sold the business in 1994.
The University of Auckland's business history project has noted that throughout his career, Sir David had practised an "action-oriented management approach."
"At Levenes, he preferred to be on the road visiting stores and serving customers, rather than sitting at a desk in head office. Customer complaints he dealt with personally," the project says.
Although selling the Levene business 16 years ago, Sir David has continued to have numerous business interests as well as working on a range of community activities.
The ventures he is involved in now include areas such as horticulture, property development, high technology start ups and television production.
"I guess my theory is when young people come along who, in my opinion, have lots of talent, I feel they're worthy of support," Sir David said.
"Of course, it can be beneficial to me as well, not necessarily only financially, but mixing with young people keeps you active and keeps your mind working."
Nowadays he takes more of a back seat, perhaps giving his opinion but leaving decisions up to others involved in the businesses.
His investments are all in this country, with Sir David saying New Zealand had been wonderful to him and his family and "I'm happy to do anything I can to support the country."
Some good business developments were under way but much more could be done.
"There's not a lack of ideas out there, lots of people with some pretty good ideas -- not all of them work," Sir David said.
Along with his continued business interests, he is involved in a wide range of community projects.
He is a member of the board and patron of Outward Bound, and patron of Parkinson's New Zealand.
He established a scholarship fund at Massey University, and sponsored the Auckland University Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme (MATES) which works with year 12 and 13 students identified as having the potential to succeed in tertiary education.
He continues to support numerous charities through his charitable foundation.
While this country was a "dream" compared to many places overseas, there was still an awful lot to do to help people in New Zealand who were disadvantaged, he said.
Programmes he was involved in were achieving their goals, "but not with enough people, they can't be spread out far enough".
He said he had been diffident about receiving his honour.
"Thousands of people have worked with me over the years and helped with anything I may have done and helped put me in a position where I'm able to do things," he said.
