Board of Trustees
John Boswell
Trustee
In August 2024, John took up the role of chief executive of the Marlborough District Council after over 40 years’ service with the New Zealand Defence Force, the last five and a half in the appointment of the Chief of Army.
During his time in Defence, John undertook a range of senior leadership, governance and management roles at the operational and strategic level.
He has broad experience in the areas of strategic planning and execution, international engagement, resource management, policy development and implementation, and the planning, coordination and delivery of military support to national security outcomes.
John’s association with Asia began in the 1980’s when he lived and worked in Singapore for two years. Since then, across numerous defence roles and appointments, he has worked, lived, studied and operated across the entirety of Asia. This includes participation in a multitude of senior level bi-lateral and multi-lateral security engagements, employment with the United Nations in both the Middle East and East Timor, leading New Zealand’s contribution to Afghanistan, and one year’s study in India where he received a Masters of Philosophy from Madras University.
John also holds a Masters of Management, Bachelors of Arts and Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Massey University as well as a Masters of Defence Studies from the University of Canberra.
John’s service in Afghanistan was acknowledged in the 2011 Queens Honours with the award of the Distinguished Service Decoration.