Former University of Otago chancellor and SBS former chairman John Ward was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors (IoD) last Wednesday.
IoD chief executive Kirsten Patterson said the honour was the highest accolade given by the institute and was awarded to members who had a distinguished career as a director, as well as those who had contributed positively to businesses and society.
Mr Ward said such recognition was an acknowledgement by colleagues and peers that his contributions made to various entities had made a difference.
"Put another way, I haven’t wasted both my time and that of other directors and that outcomes have generally been positive ...
"I do feel honoured and somewhat humbled by this award."
With more than 45 years of experience, Mr Ward had a long and varied governance career across sectors including retail, tourism, finance and sport.
It also included being the chairman of H&J Smith and AJ Hackett Bungy company and served on the boards of the Southern Institute of Technology and the University of Otago where, in addition to becoming chancellor, he chaired the Finance and Budget Committee.
The experience at the university was the most stimulating and hugely rewarding, he said.
"Challenges included positive financial outcomes in an attempt to meet academic funding expectations and aspirations, cost attached to capital expenditure projects and providing a rewarding experience for students.
"Outcomes such as graduations, especially for students from low-decile backgrounds and first-in-family participants, brought much satisfaction."
Mr Ward was now living with his wife Sue in Auckland, but he still kept a close connection to the South though his role as director of Milford Asset Management, contributing to decisions regarding investments and stakes in business such as Honeycrisp apple orchards near Timaru and RealNZ with its Milford, Queenstown and skifield assets.
"Doing your best, complying with regulations and being in a team environment brings much satisfaction."
