2009

Sir John Buchanan was a successful businessman whose long and distinguished career included a number of high profile positions at some of the world’s leading companies.

After earning a doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Auckland, he moved to the UK to undertake post-doctoral studies at Oxford. His career at BP started in 1970 and from 1996-2002 he was Executive Director and Group Chief Financial Officer. During this time, the company completed a transformational merger with Amoco, the largest industrial merger at the time.

In retirement, Sir John remained a prominent figure in the business world, serving on a number of boards, including being Chair of the UK Trustees of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

In 2007, Sir John received the inaugural Augusta Award, Auckland Grammar School Old Boys’ Association’s highest award. In 2012, he was knighted in the UK for services to industry and in New Zealand received a Lifetime Contribution to Finance and Business Award as part of the 2012 New Zealand CFO Awards. 

Sir Ray Avery is a unique blend of pharmaceutical scientist, inventor and social entrepreneur.

He is the Founder and CEO of Medicine Mondiale, an independent development agency focused on improving the lives of the world’s poor by making quality healthcare technology accessible in developing countries.

Some of Sir Ray’s key achievements include making Intraocular lenses affordable to the world’s poorest people, enabling greater access to cataract surgery; developing the Acuset IV Flow Controller to administer intravenous fluids and medicines; developing Proteinforte, a nutritious food product that delivers pre-digested protein to high-performance athletes and malnourished children; and developing the low cost Liferaft Infant Incubator for use in the developing world environment.  

Sir Ray’s background includes being a founding member of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Auckland as well as Technical Director at Douglas Pharmaceuticals and at the Fred Hollows Foundation. He has also been the Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Health Innovation Hub.

His honours include: Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit 2011, Readers Digest NZ’s Most Trusted Person 2011, EY Social Entrepreneur 2011, Sir Peter Blake Leadership Medal 2010 and KiwiBank New Zealander of the Year 2010