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.

Sir Ron Trotter
Trotter in 1988
Born
Ronald Ramsay Trotter

(1927-10-09)9 October 1927
Hāwera, New Zealand
Died11 August 2010(2010-08-11) (aged 82)
Wellington, New Zealand
EducationWanganui Collegiate School
Alma materVictoria University College
Canterbury Agricultural College
OccupationBusinessman
RelativesAnn Trotter (sister)
Judith Trotter (sister)

Early life and family

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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

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Trotter was instrumental in the formation of Fletcher Challenge Corporation in 1981, where he was the chief executive and chairman.

Directorships and management roles

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  • 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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Fletcher Challenge Archives – Companies". Fletcher Challenge Archives. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  3. ^ "No. 50155". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 15 June 1985. p. 1.
  4. ^ "Past laureates". Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Fletcher Challenge Art Collection History". Fletcher Collection. April 2004. Archived from the original on 6 October 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.