NZ Racing Board nabs MFAT boss

UPDATED: The NZ Racing Board has confirmed the appointment of MFaT head John Allen as its new CEO. 

NZ Racing Board Chair Glenda Hughes says it is an outstanding appointment for the organisation and the wider racing and sports industries.

“We are delighted to be able to appoint someone of John’s calibre and experience to this position.  Our industry is facing a number of challenges, however the opportunities are also vast. 

“Throughout the recruitment process we have been seeking a proven strategic leader and business growth agent with international negotiation skills. The last point being a consideration as we enter into negotiations for our international wagering and broadcasting rights agreements,” says Ms Hughes.

Allen says he is excited about the opportunity to join the NZ Racing Board.

“It’s going to be fun. The NZ Racing Board is a $2 billion business that plays a vital role in the New Zealand economy by supporting the racing and sports industries. It is also the owner and operator of the TAB which is an exciting commercial enterprise and iconic New Zealand brand,” says Allen.

Allen will join the NZ Racing Board on 2 March 2015.

EARLIER: The top official at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade will resign next week.

MFaT chief executive John Allen will announce his resignation on Monday 1 December according to political magazine Trans-Tasman.

Mr Allen is reportedly leaving MFaT for a post in the private sector.

Mr Allen, who was controversially recruited to head the ministry in 2009 after serving as chief executive at NZ Post, attempted a number of reforms within the ministry that frustrated many long-serving diplomats.

He says he took the top job with the mission of “developing a strong vision and direction for the ministry that is designed to underpin New Zealand’s security and economic prosperity.” Earlier this year his term as chief executive was extended until June 2015.

Earlier Mr Allen was a former partner of Rudd Watts and Stone, specialising in commercial and public policy issues, and has also been a visiting lecturer of Law at Victoria University of Wellington. He is an adviser to the Boards of NZ Trade & Enterprise, Education NZ and the Asia NZ Foundation.

At one point in his term at MFaT Mr Allen clashed with Labour’s then foreign affairs spokesman Phil Goff, who attacked a big pay rise for the MFaT chief describing it as “a blatant double standard at a time when many diplomats are losing their jobs.”

Figures on state sector chief executives’ pay show Mr Allen’s salary at MFaT in 2013 was the highest among government chief executives. A rise of $40,000 took his remuneration package to between $620,000 and $629,999.