University honours Trevor Scott

20/12/2009

Prominent Otago businessman and philanthropist Trevor Scott (1954-58) has been awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree by the University of Otago.

University vice-chancellor Professor David Skegg said the university had ‘‘benefited greatly from Trevor Scott’s business, accounting and financial acumen over his many years of service to the institution’’.

Trevor Scott

Trevor was a member of the University Council (1991-2005), also making important contributions to committees and boards involving the university’s finances, commercial activities and residential colleges.

He chaired the board of Otago Innovation Ltd, its predecessor, the Commercial Activity Board, and companies emerging from Otago research, such as Blis Technologies and Pacific Edge Biotechnologies Ltd.

Professor Skegg noted Trevor had provided a generous endowment for a professorship in urology under the university’s Leading Thinkers initiative.

He had also driven efforts to promote Dunedin as a destination for international students, including through initiatives such as establishing Education Dunedin and the Otago Language Centre, both of which he chaired. His community work has included helping to establish the Otago Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was the inaugural president and first life member of its national body.

Since graduating with a BCom in accountancy from Otago in 1964, he has served in director and adviser roles for a wide variety of leading national companies.

He founded accountancy and consulting firm T.D. Scott and Co in 1988.

Trevor was made a distinguished fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors in 2006, and made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2008, recognising his services to business and the community.