Governance

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The National Governing Council

Laidlaw College is governed and advised by the National Governing Council (NGC), the Accademic Advisory Board, and Te Rūnanga o te Wānanga Amorangi (Māori Council of Laidlaw College).

The National Governing Council (NGC) is the governing body of Laidlaw College. It is comprised of people committed to the Vision, Mission and Values of Laidlaw and are appointed for their stature as professionals and leading persons in the fields that Laidlaw is equipping students.

The NGC sets the vision of Laidlaw, guards its ethos, makes recommendations on College policies, and appoints the National Principal.

It meets at least five times a year. The National Principal/CEO attends NGC meetings without the power to vote. The NGC also includes a staff and a student representative, both of whom have the power to vote.
The NGC ensures accountability through reporting to and consulting with members of Laidlaw College Inc. and the Rūnanga (Māori Council), as well as working alongside other governance bodies including the Academic Advisory Board. They also work in partnership with the Laidlaw College Foundation, a separate charitable trust that manages the College’s endowment.

Chris Collins

(Chair)

Chris Collins (Chair)

Chris Collins, President (Academic) of IPU New Zealand and Ministerial Deputy Chair of the EIT Council at the Eastern Institute of Technology, served as CEO of EIT for over 18 years. With a strong background in governance and leadership, Chris has served on various Boards, including two terms as global Chair of the International Board of IFES, with membership from over 150 countries. Active in the Institute of Technology and University sectors, Chris has held academic, general, and senior executive management roles. Married to Naomi, Chris has four children.

Prof Jessica Palmer

(Deputy Chair)

Jessica Palmer (Deputy Chair)

Jessica is Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Engagement, at the University of Otago, and brings strong governance and strategic leadership experience to Laidlaw. Jessica also sits on the board of the Wilberforce Foundation. Her research interests lie in equity and trusts, the law of restitution and the law of contract. Jessica lives with her family in Dunedin. 

Dr Roshan Allpress

(National Principal/CEO)

Dr Roshan Allpress (CEO)

Roshan has been National Principal/CEO of Laidlaw College since 2017. An historian, whose research focuses on the history of philanthropy, humanitarianism and social reform, he has a background in non-profit leadership. Roshan and his family live in Henderson.

Anna Shaw

(COO)

Anna Shaw (COO)

Anna took on the role as COO of Laidlaw College in mid 2025. Anna has held leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, in New Zealand and overseas, with substantial experience in finance, environmental stewardship and strategy. She is married with two daughters, lives in Greenlane, and attends Auckland Evangelical Church.

Chris Hannen

Chris, CEO of The Christian Schools Trust in Christchurch, oversees four State integrated Christian schools and two Christian early learning centres. His career includes roles as a Chartered Accountant, Regional Manager for World Vision New Zealand, and Campus Director for Laidlaw College Christchurch for eight years. Married to Belinda, they have three adult children. Chris has been active in his local fellowship, Life Church, for over 30 years.

Margot Shutt

Margot (Ngāti Tiipa), a nurse and midwife, has worked in Auckland hospitals and served in pastoral and teaching roles in the local church. Raised on her whenua in Opuatia, Waikato, surrounded by a large extended whanau. Married to Stu, they have three adult children and work in their nationally franchised construction company, Sentinel Homes. Margot is passionate about building healthy families and churches, purposeful gospel-centred work, and seeing Aotearoa thrive. 

Brad Haami

An accomplished author, journalist and lecturer, Brad has written award-winning Māori biographies, has extensive experience in film and media, and has worked as Māori curator for the Natural History exhibition at Te Papa. Brad is widely involved in Māori Christian leadership networks and attends church at Ōhope Christian Fellowship. In 2020, Brad commenced fulltime work at Laidlaw as Pou Amorangi/Māori Director.

Rev'd Dr Joshua Taylor

Joshua, an Anglican Priest from Christchurch, has experience in youth ministry and Vicarial roles in Timaru. He currently serves as Vicar of St Christopher’s Avonhead and Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera. Joshua is also a qualified spiritual director through Spiritual Growth Ministries NZ. His interests lie in systematic and practical theology, and spiritual formation for leadership, which he developed during his time at Laidlaw College (2007-2009).

Tracy Huny

Tracy Hunt

Tracey is the staff representative on the Laidlaw. Tracey is the administrator in the Programme Delivery team. She has worked and studied at Laidlaw College for many years, first at the Manawatu Centre, then for distance learning and in the School of Social Practice. She finished her Master of Theology in 2017. Tracey attends Westgate Baptist Church along with her husband Ian Waddington. She is also a spiritual director.

Te Rūnanga o te Wānanga Amorangi

Te Rūnanga o te Wānanga Amorangi (Māori Council of Laidlaw College) is comprised of Māori community leaders from our community.

The Rūnanga advises the College at a governance, management and practical level around servicing Māori training needs and incorporating Māori awareness into Laidlaw life in ways that affirm the implications of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) for the College.

• Brad Haami (Co-Chair)
• Shona Martin-Pink (Co-Chair)

Academic Advisory Board

Laidlaw’s Academic Advisory Board is comprised of senior scholars from universities and other higher education providers who oversee academic quality at the College.

It’s current membership includes:

• Associate Professor Bronwyn Wood
• Associate Professor Geoff Troughton
• Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu
• Sylvia Yandall
• Dr Myron Friesen

Laidlaw College Foundation

Graham Burt served as Chair of Laidlaw College for fifteen years until 2020, and remains Chair of Laidlaw College Foundation and President of the National Conference. He is also the President of Laidlaw College Inc. Graham is currently CEO of Festival One.