John Whitehead will bring extensive background in governance and business to bear.
John Whitehead was appointed as chancellor and chair of St John New Zealand’s National Priory board from June 24 2020, for a three-year term.
Based in Wellington, Whitehead has an extensive background in governance, business and finance, and the organisation said he is perfectly positioned to guide the organisation through a significant reset and new direction.
Whitehead joined the Treasury in 1982 and held the role of Secretary to the Treasury from 2003 to 2011, being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2011 for services to the Treasury. He has served as executive director on the board of the World Bank and, earlier this year, he was promoted to Knight of St John (KStJ), one of the highest honours conferred on members of the organisation.
St John chief executive Peter Bradley said Whitehead’s experience will prove invaluable as the organisation continues to build on its strategic aims and works to resolve its funding situation.
Whitehead has served on St John’s board and has been associated with St John since 2016. He said one of his key focuses, “will be improving the funding model and resetting our organisation to enable us to continue our work to improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.”
Whitehead takes over the chancellor and chair role from Dr Steve Evans (KStJ) who served for a six-year term.
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