Sandie Gusscott and Des Brennan have been appointed to the Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) council

The two appointments, effective from 1 May, are for four-year and three-year terms respectively.  They replace the positions previously held by long-serving council members Clint Baddeley and Bryce Cooper. 

Wintec chair Mary Cave-Palmer says: “we are very pleased with the new appointments and look forward to the knowledge and skills that both Sandie and Des will bring to the Council.”

Mrs Gusscott was most recently general manager of Auckland UniServices Limited, the commercial arm of the University of Auckland, where she led international education strategy and developed off-shore delivery opportunities for the university. 

As well as extensive general management experience, with a strong focus on business growth, Mrs Gusscott has been involved in all sectors of education from early childhood education to tertiary education. 

“I’m delighted to be appointed to the Wintec Council. I’m keen to bring my education and business leadership skills to the table, along with my international education knowledge.  The opportunity at Wintec appealed greatly to me as it was a governance role that combines education and the international experience all in one.”

Des Brennan is currently the chief executive of the Facilities Management Association of New Zealand, and serves on a number of boards including the New Zealand Recreational Association, Snow Sports New Zealand and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust. 

He’s enjoyed a wide-ranging business career in leadership and strategic roles with organisations such as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Yachting New Zealand and Montana Wines, Television New Zealand and Anchor Foods.  He has a background in marketing, having been admitted to the New Zealand Marketing Hall of Fame in 2007.

“It is an honour to join the Wintec Council.  Wintec is an organisation of stature, with clarity of purpose and real values.  I am excited to be part of Wintec’s governance and contribute to Wintec’s progress in the years ahead.”

Meanwhile, the Wintec Council recently bid farewell to long-serving members Clint Baddeley and Bryce Cooper who both resigned from their roles, effective from 30 April, 2015. 

Mr Baddeley has been on the Wintec Council for 18 years; for the past 10 years has chaired the Council’s Building and Assets committee; and was also deputy chair for many years.

Mr Baddeley says: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with Wintec. It is a very different place than when I first started on Council, and through the leadership of Mark Flowers, the organisation now has a reputation as an organisation of national and international significance in terms of technical and vocational education. A particular highlight for me has been the building of the new Engineering and Trades facility, which I believe will be an asset for many years to come for Wintec.”

Mr Cooper has been on the Wintec Council for 13 years, and for the past 10 years has been deputy chair of the Council’s Finance and Risk committee.

Mr Cooper says: “Wintec has been a place of change and I feel privileged to have been part of that during my time on Council.  The campus modernisation programme and the move to providing off-shore delivery in Saudi Arabia and China have been particular highlights for me.  With a forward-thinking Council, high quality staff and modern facilities, Wintec’s future is assured and I will follow its success with interest.”

Ms Cave-Palmer adds: “I’d like to acknowledge Clint and Bryce for their outstanding contributions to the Council over many years.  They have both played an integral part at a governance level in seeing Wintec through some major changes over the years.”

“Of note was Clint’s knowledge and passion for the trades and campus developments, and Bryce’s business acumen and considered approach to the financial aspects of the organisation.  I’d like to sincerely thank them for their excellent governance of Wintec.”

The members of the Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) Council are: Mary Cave-Palmer (chair), Steve Howse (deputy chair), Des Brennan, Sandie Gusscott, Maxine Moana-Tuwhangai, Aaron Rink, Pam Roa, Ping S’ng.