Sir Ronald Ramsay Trotter (9 October 1927 – 11 August 2010) was one of New Zealand's pre-eminent business leaders. He was knighted for his service to business in 1985.
Early life and family
Born in Hāwera on 9 October 1927, Trotter was the son of Annie Euphemia Trotter (née Young) and Clement George Trotter.[1] He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School, and went on to study at Victoria University College from 1945 to 1947, graduating Bachelor of Commerce, followed by a year at Canterbury Agricultural College where he completed a Certificate of Agriculture.[1]
In 1955, Trotter married Margaret Patricia Rainey, and the couple went on to have four children.[1]
Business career
Trotter was instrumental in the formation of Fletcher Challenge Corporation in 1981, where he was the chief executive and chairman.
Directorships and management roles
- managing director and Chairman of Wright Stephenson and Co (1958–72)
- Chairman and managing director Challenge Corporation (1970–1981)[2]
- Chairman and Chief Executive of Fletcher Challenge (1981–87)
- Chairman Fletcher Challenge (1987–90)
- Trustee and Chairman of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (1973–86)
- Chairman of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand
- Director of Air New Zealand (1989–93)
- Director and Chairman of Toyota New Zealand (1964–2001)
- Inaugural Chairman of the New Zealand Business Roundtable (1985–1990)
Public sector roles
Trotter made substantial contributions to the public sector. His roles included:
- Chairman of the Steering Committee of the New Zealand Economic Summit Conference of 1984
- Director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
- Chairman of the State-owned Enterprises Advisory Committee (1987–88)
- Chairman of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- Chairman of Post Office Bank (1989)
- Member and Chairman of the Oversees Investment Commission (1974–77)
- Chairman of the Interim Provider Board
Honours
In the 1985 Queen's Birthday Honours, Trotter was appointed a Knight Bachelor, for services to business management.[3] In 1999, he was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.[4]
Other activities
Trotter was also an art collector and, along with his wife Margaret, Lady Trotter, played an instrumental role in the formation of the Fletcher Challenge Art Collection.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 372. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
- ^ "Fletcher Challenge Archives – Companies". Fletcher Challenge Archives. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ "No. 50155". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 15 June 1985. p. 1.
- ^ "Past laureates". Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "Fletcher Challenge Art Collection History". Fletcher Collection. April 2004. Archived from the original on 6 October 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
