New Trustee appointment for Foundation North

Foundation North is pleased to announce the appointment of Mel Hewitson to its Board of Trustees. Ms Hewitson was appointed by the Associate Minister of Finance, Hon Paula Bennett, to serve a four year term.

A resident of Mission Bay, Mel is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, with extensive experience in investment /financial services governance, risk and compliance oversight. After 18 years in institutional investment management in London and New Zealand, she has held senior roles in financial regulation, governance, and risk and compliance, including at ANZ Bank and the Financial Markets Authority. 

Mel was formerly New Zealand’s representative on a United Nations Australasian socially responsible investment committee. Currently, she is Head of Governance & Investor Oversight at Trustees Executors. 

“Mel’s expertise across the investment and finance sector and experience in governance will be a real asset to the Foundation,” Foundation North Chief Executive Jennifer Gill says. 

Ms Gill acknowledged the contribution of outgoing trustee, Ian McDougall of Franklin. Ian served two and a half years on the Board.

“Ian’s passion for the environment and fervent support for his local area have been an apt fit with regional issues and discussions. We thank Ian for his commitment and wish him all the best for the future.” 

Foundation North is the community trust for Auckland and Northland. Its 15 trustees are responsible for an endowment of over a billion dollars and grants of around $40 million dollars each year to support arts, sports, entertainment, environment and community initiatives and facilities in the Auckland and Northland regions.