Honouring a lifetime of leadership with Massey Medal

The Massey Medal, which is seldom conferred and reserved for exceptional recipients, has been awarded to Mr Mogridge in recognition of his ongoing commitment to Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and his enduring impact in multiple leadership and governance roles across the business sector.

In the citation presented at the ceremony by Ben Vanderkolk, who was a trustee of Massey University Foundation alongside Mr Mogridge as Chair, he commended his outstanding business acumen.

“I enjoyed working with Bryan and found that around the table he is approachable, calm and reflective while determined and acutely focused on the interests of the Foundation – illustrious traits that have undoubtedly distinguished Bryan in cooperate life and in charitable service.

“We are celebrating not only his remarkable accomplishments but also his enduring commitment to excellence and service in New Zealand and beyond. Bryan’s legacy will inspire future generations of alumni to carry forward the values of Massey, encouraging them to strive for greatness in their own journeys and make meaningful contributions to the world.”

A history of leadership and service

Mr Mogridge began his journey at Massey in 1965 and credits his time there with teaching him how to think. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry in 1968, he went on to have an illustrious career marked by many significant contributions to business, communities and health services across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

Within 10 years of graduating, Mr Mogridge became CEO of Montana Wines. He played a seminal role in the modernisation of the New Zealand wine industry, where he laid the groundwork that continues to benefit the sector today. His leadership was instrumental in Montana’s pioneering efforts to export New Zealand wine to international markets, contributing significantly to the industry’s global success. Mr Mogridge served as the Chairman of the Board for the Wine Institute of New Zealand from 1985 to 1991.

In recognition of his enduring contributions, he was bestowed with an Honorary Life Membership in 1997. His exemplary service was further acknowledged in 1999 when he was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Mr Mogridge’s dedication to community extends to his longstanding involvement with the Starship Foundation, which he has supported since its inception in 1992. After serving as Chair of the Foundation for 20 years until his recent retirement from the position, he continues to serve as a trustee, tirelessly advancing the cause of Starship.

Throughout his career, Mr Mogridge has held pivotal roles in numerous organisations, serving as Chairman or CEO of 25 companies and providing governance expertise to an additional 23. His leadership has spanned diverse sectors, including the New Zealand Tourism Board, Mainfreight Limited, Energy Education Trust of New Zealand, SeaDragon and Bupa Care Services.

Mr Mogridge’s commitment to Massey is evident through his long-standing tenure as a trustee of the Massey University Foundation. He became Chair in 2022, harnessing his expertise to elevate the Foundation’s mission of promoting philanthropy and allocating resources to advance scholarship, research and teaching at Massey. Mr Mogridge is dedicated to continuing the Foundation’s legacy and enhancing a culture of giving to support future generations of scholars.