F&P offers $1m to school

Friday 5th March 2004

Fisher & Paykel Appliances has offered $1 million to the University of Auckland's new business school building, with the naming rights for the auditorium.

Companies' contribution to the $110 million building has reached $21 million but still short of the $50 million target. The government has agreed to match donations up to the first $25 million under its Partnerships for Excellence Programme. The university will fund the balance of building costs.

The project includes $80 million for building and $30 million on programmes and staff, including creation of 12 new chairs to be filled by a global recruitment search.

Three new chairs in energy economics, financial accounting and entrepreneurship have already been established, while support for three other chairs is reportedly in the final stage of negotiation.

F&P Appliances managing director John Bongard said his company was keen to share its staff in leadership, marketing, systems, human resources, innovation and creativity areas.

Business school dean Professor Barry Spicer described the company's involvement as a long-term relationship with mutual benefits.

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