New appointments to Tertiary Education Commission Board

  • Hon Chris Hipkins
Education

Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced two appointments to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Board.

Former CPIT Board Chair Jenn Bestwick and Vivien Bridgwater, formerly of AUT and Auckland’s regional economic growth agency, ATEED, have each been appointed for three-year terms.

“I am delighted with these appointments. Both new members bring a great deal of governance and leadership experience as well as an understanding of the tertiary education sector, and each will bring new ideas and perspectives to the Board,” Chris Hipkins said.

“Retiring member Susan Paterson has made a valuable contribution to the Board during her term in office, and I would like to thank her for her time and energy,” Chris Hipkins said.

The Tertiary Education Commission leads the Government’s relationship with the tertiary education sector (including universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics, wānanga, private training establishments, industry training organisation and other providers of post-secondary education and training) and provides career services from education through to employment.

Brief biographies

Jenn Bestwick

Jenn Bestwick is an associate with the Project Office, where she provides strategic and business case development capability. She has proven experience in strategic planning and in senior strategy management roles across the health, tertiary education, natural resource management, science and research, and tourism sectors. Jenn has extensive governance experience including roles at Ara Institute of Canterbury (formerly CPIT), Southern Response Earthquake Services and Development West Coast. She led CPIT during its merger with Aoraki Polytechnic.

Vivien Bridgwater

Vivien has skills in organisational change management, customer insight and governance. Previous roles include General Manager of Destination and Marketing at ATEED and General Manager University Relations at AUT. Vivien is currently an independent consultant and Board Director at Stillwater Limited, which provides high level business strategy and change management.