Board of Trustees
John Elliott – BCom, CA
Chairman
A seasoned international executive with an extensive leadership record across several industries, John combines global experience in a variety of retail businesses with particular strengths and interest in strategy and planning, corporate governance and change leadership. Having played an important role in the establishment of Maxim Institute during 2001 as a founding Trustee, John relinquished his role as a Trustee of Maxim Institute while he was based in Chicago from 2002 to 2006. He returned to Auckland with his family in mid-2006 and rejoined the Board of Trustees, and accepted the appointment as Chair upon the retirement of Peter McNee in December 2006. John is married to Debbie and they have two sons.
John Graham – CBE, MA (Hons)
Founding Trustee
A former All Black Captain, Headmaster of Auckland Grammar School and Chancellor of Auckland University, John has invested his life in training and inspiring young New Zealanders. His considerable concern with this country's social and educational indicators led to him playing an instrumental role in founding Maxim Institute. John is married to Sheila and they have three children and three grandchildren.
Spokespeople and Key Personnel
Greg Fleming – CA, BCA
Chief Executive Officer
Greg leads the team at Maxim Institute, which he co-founded with Bruce Logan (now retired) in 2001. Greg studied at Victoria University and began his career in finance as a chartered accountant before spending four years as General Manager of Parenting with Confidence (now Parents Inc). In July 2005, Greg was honoured to receive a prestigious Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award. Greg is married to Kirsty and they have four children.
Paul Henderson – MA, BMin
Director of Research and Programmes
Paul joined Maxim Institute in 2002 and was appointed as the director of Maxim Institute’s research and internship programme in 2005. He was educated at Ampleforth College, Aberdeen University and Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge University. Paul has significant experience and interest in education having worked for the British Council and governments overseas. He is the author of two books, Kids Adrift: values confusion in New Zealand schools and Vying for our Children. Paul also has a background in business with a focus on strategic planning and market analysis. An internationally recognised speaker, Paul has addressed conferences in Malaysia, Canada, America and Australia. He is married to Liz and they have three daughters.
Alex Penk – LLM, LLB (Hons), BSc
Policy and Research Manager
Alex is responsible for managing Maxim Institute's policy and research work. This includes policy analysis and submissions and our research reports. Alex joined Maxim Institute in December 2005 after completing a Master of Laws at Cambridge University. He also spent time as a Pegasus Scholar in London, working with experienced barristers of the Inner Temple. Alex also holds degrees in law and science from the University of Auckland. Before leaving for Cambridge, he practised law with Chapman Tripp in Auckland. Alex is married to Angela and they have two children.
Contact Alex Penk for all policy and research related enquiries
Ruth Porter – BA (Hons)
Communications Manager
Ruth assumed the role of Communications Manager for Maxim Institute in May 2007. She previously worked in Maxim Institute’s policy team as a Policy Analyst with a special focus on education, justice and political theory. Ruth has worked as a freelance researcher and sits on the Micah Challenge New Zealand Steering Committee. Ruth studied at Warwick University in England where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy and Politics. Ruth joined Maxim Institute in April 2004. She is married to Daniel.
Contact Ruth Porter for all media enquiries or phone 09 627 3261
Rachel Langton – LLB, BA
Internships Manager
Rachel has a LLB, BA majoring in Psychology, from Auckland University. For the last three years she has worked as a lawyer in Auckland, both at Simpson Grierson and as a Criminal Barrister. She has also worked at the Los Angeles Dream Centre caring for homeless people living on the streets. Rachel joined Maxim Institute in October 2007.
Contact Rachel for all internship related enquiries
Summer Gill – LLB, BA
Events Manager
Summer has a LLB and a BA majoring in Communication Studies from Otago University. She undertook an internship at the Institute in the summer of 2006/2007. Summer joined the Maxim Institute staff in February 2007, she has a particular interest in family law and bioethics. Summer was admitted to the Bar in September 2007.
Contact Summer for all event related enquiries
Steve Thomas – MA, BA (Hons)
Researcher
Steve joined Maxim Institute as a researcher in 2005, shortly after graduating with a Master of Arts, with distinction in European Studies, from the University of Canterbury. Steve’s background is in political studies, international relations and history. Steve received several awards while at university, including a University of Canterbury Senior Scholarship in 2002 and a University of Canterbury Masters Scholarship in 2003.
Daniel Lees – MCom, BCom (Hons)
Researcher
Daniel joined the Maxim Institute research team in February 2006. He recently completed a Master of Commerce, with distinction in Management, from the University of Otago. Daniel's research interests include sociology, culture and family. Before joining Maxim Institute, Daniel taught business studies for a private tertiary institute in Auckland at diploma level. Daniel is married to Nicole and they have two children.
John Fox – MA, BA (Hons), BSc
Writer
John joined Maxim Institute in September 2005 as a writer and has a particular interest in language, history and political theory. He studied at the University of Canterbury, graduating with a conjoint Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in English, History and Biological Sciences. He completed his Masters degree with first class honours in English at the University of Auckland this year.
