Greg has been with UniServices for six years, previously in the role of Executive Director, Strategic Growth, before taking the reins as Acting CEO in October 2024. 

“I am honoured to be the new CEO for UniServices and the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Innovation and Enterprise. These two roles will boost the University’s strong culture of fostering and nurturing research and its translation into commercial impact.”

“I am looking forward to working even closer with the University’s leadership team and research community to drive change in Aotearoa and globally.”

The Pro Vice-Chancellor Innovation and Enterprise role was established to actively seek strategic opportunities to advance knowledge translation and impact of research with industry, investors, public bodies and charities seeking to tap the expertise, inventions, technologies and intellec­tual property available from the University of Auckland.

The role sits alongside the positions of Pro Vice-Chancellor Global and Graduate Research and Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Performance and Reputation to develop a cohesive leadership framework for the Research and Innovation portfolio that will reach across the University and UniServices.

The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Frank Bloomfield, says: “With his background in the biotech industry, start-ups and research, Greg brings a wealth of expertise and experience to both roles.”

“Greg’s appointment comes as the University and UniServices enhance and extend our already close and successful working relationship.”

One of UniServices’ recent successes includes ranking first in the number of active spinouts for the second year running in the Survey of Commercialisation Outcomes from Public Research (SCOPR), with 47 active spinouts from 2021-2023. Using the University’s research, UniServices generated the highest number of active spinout companies across the 70 Australian and New Zealand research organisations surveyed. This was ahead of the University of Queensland and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, which each had 33 spinouts. SCOPR is conducted annually by Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia, the peak body for technology transfer professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

Greg’s appointment comes after the retirement of Dr Andy Shenk after 12 years of dedicated service as CEO.

Greg holds a PhD in immunology and has worked in the biotech industry, universities and prior to joining UniServices held executive roles at AgResearch reporting to the CEO as Partnerships and Programmes Director and then Research Director.

He has more than 25 years’ experience in executive management, leadership, strategy development, business growth, and in leading significant organisational change. He has focused on creating partnerships between investors and researchers, and is experienced in the governance of start-ups, commercial and not-for-profit organisations. 

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and leading university. The name Waipapa Taumata Rau, gifted to the University by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, refers to the ‘place of many peaks’ – places to strive for, ascend to and succeed. The University supports economic growth locally and nationally through innovation and entrepreneurship, creating quality jobs and high-value businesses, and producing graduates that contribute to our economy and society for the benefit of all. We also rank in the top 10 globally for sustainable development impact.