Retailer Richard Ballantyne to receive honorary UC doctorate

Leading Christchurch retailer Richard Ballantyne to be awarded an honorary doctorate

November 17, 2014

Christchurch retailer, Richard Ballantyne, who is a graduate of the University of Canterbury, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce by the University at a graduation ceremony next month.

Ballantyne was invested as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the community in March 2014.

He has worked in J Ballantyne & Co Ltd, the Christchurch department store, owned by his family since 1872, for 45 years, having served as managing director for 16 years up until the time of the 2011 earthquake. He is currently chairman of the board.

The university’s Professor Sonia Mazey, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business and Law) says Ballantyne played an instrumental leadership role in the revitalisation of the city after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

“He is on the board of the Canterbury Community Forum and a past board member of the Christchurch Central City Business Association. He has shown his commitment to Christchurch through strong leadership in planning and rebuild of the Christchurch business district. The February 2011 earthquake devastated the City Mall and Ballantynes went through an eight-month rebuild,” Professor Mazey says.

“The ReStart Container Mall, which was officially opened on October 29, 2011, has been described as `an innovative, vibrant and attractive space that has been a destination for not just locals wishing to do some high-street shopping, but also for tourists visiting the city’.

“Richard’s leadership qualities have been apparent throughout his business life. In 2012, Richard received the Distinguished Fellow Award of the Institute of Directors, which is its highest accolade.

“It is both appropriate and timely for the University of Canterbury to acknowledge the significant contribution that Richard Ballantyne has made to the development of the city over a period of many years and especially since the earthquakes.

“Richard has demonstrated personal resilience, vision, leadership and ongoing commitment to the Christchurch community. These values and personal attributes align closely with those espoused by the university’s vision and the College of Business and Law’s mission statement,” Professor Mazey says.

Richard Ballantyne is a past president and life member of the New Zealand Retailers Association. He is a past board member and life member of the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.

He is a past president and life member of the New Zealand Retailers Association, a past-president (Canterbury Division) and Fellow of the Institute of Management, and a Fellow of the Society of Accountants.

He serves on boards of other Canterbury businesses and also on the Cholmondeley Children’s Foundation, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and is chair of the St Barnabas Church Rebuild Appeal.

ENDS

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