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Auckland, November 9, 2018
Darryn Melrose has been appointed Chief Executive of Whitecliffe College, a privately-owned art and design institution based in Auckland.
Darryn Melrose
(Picture Supplied)
He previously had a similar role at the Media Design School.
Mr Melrose will take up his new assignment in January 2019, succeeding Michele Whitecliffe, who stepped down as President after selling the Institution earlier this year.
Whitecliffe College, now owned by Asia Pacific Education Group (APEDU), also comprises NZ Fashion Tech and Computer Power Plus.
Extensive Expertise
APEDU Founder & Chief Executive Feroz Ali said that Mr Melrose has extensive expertise in the art, design and technology sectors.
“He is ideally placed to lead the Group into 2019 and beyond. I am proud that Darryn has joined our Group to lead the New Zealand schools. I have always admired his leadership and communication style and he will be a great fit for Whitecliffe College,” he said.
Mr Ali said that the appointment will allow him to focus more on governance and work with his New Zealand and Canadian leadership teams in creating a group of schools that students choose for their learning experience, alignment to industries, and ability to help them reach their greatest potential.
Strategic Vision
“With Whitecliffe College now specialising not only in arts and design, but also in fashion and sustainability, and technology and innovation, Melrose brings the strategic vision and high energy leadership necessary to ensure the Group continues offering the highly-relevant and contemporary education that is crucial for success in today’s digital world,” Mr Ali said.
Mr Melrose said that he looked forward to his assignment at Whitecliffe College.
New Zealand focus
“I am also looking forward to being able to return my focus to New Zealand. This is a dynamic time to be an educator, with a range of employers and industry bodies looking for an improved supply of digitally skilled graduates, and better pathways from high school through to skilled employment. A major issue for the education sector is that we are not creating enough graduates to meet the needs of fast-growing industries, and it is a challenge that I am motivated to address,” he said.
Mr Melrose has a strong background in the tertiary education sector in New Zealand and overseas – he was at the helm of Media Design School when the Institution launched New Zealand’s first VR/AR qualification.
Significant achievements
He has been the GM Design/Technology Vertical for Laureate Australia, and a Board Director for Santa Fe University of Art and Design.
Apart from education, his experience spans financial services, FMCG, retail, marketing, telecommunications and digital sectors.
He established the ‘Digital Leadership Group,’ and was instrumental in AIM Proximity’s 2009 ranking as the second best direct/digital marketing agency in the world.
He led the world’s first entry by a bank into the energy and telecommunications retail markets.
Mr Melrose was also the creator and leader of GlobalPlus, the triple-alliance of Air New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand and Telecom.
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