IPENZ appoints new CEO

Susan Freeman-Greene has been appointed CEO of IPENZ, and will start in her new role in February 2015.

IPENZ’s current CEO Kieran Devine has been serving on an interim basis following the departure of Dr Andrew Cleland to the Royal Society of New Zealand in September. “We’re delighted to have made the appointment of such a high-calibre leader, following an exhaustive search and selection process,” says IPENZ’s president Dr Kevin Thompson.

Currently the CEO of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, Freeman-Greene has worked in senior leadership and management positions for 15 years. Prior to this she practised law in both New Zealand and England for over a decade.

“Susan has a natural understanding of what being a professional is about – so can relate to IPENZ as a professional body,” Dr Thompson says.

“Her experience with the machinery of government means she understands legislative processes. She has worked closely with officials on policy and regulatory issues, which is highly relevant for IPENZ in the light of anticipated regulatory change.”

Dr Thompson says Ms Freeman-Greene has a depth of experience in compliance and complaints processes, and a long history of working with standards, certification, ethics and assessment.

“It became obvious that a non-engineer might view IPENZ differently from the way IPENZ views itself. We eagerly anticipate the insights that someone outside of the engineering profession might have, and the positive challenge that will bring.”