Obituary Ross Matheson

Obituary Ross Matheson

11 October 1932 €“ 9 November 2018

Ross Matheson was a much-respected Human Resource leader, in NZ and overseas, over many decades. Ross was educated at Otago University with a degree in Political Science and Economics followed by a Post Graduate Degree in Psychology.  Post university he worked for the NZ Prison Service before starting his HR  career with Lever Brothers in Wellington followed by BP NZ Ltd.

From 1964 €“ 1969 Ross was General Personnel Manager for Philips Electrical Industries in Wellington. This led to a 9 year appointment to Philips in the Far East, based in Tokyo. Ross travelled widely and contributed strategically, especially in the area of Management Development, to the Philips enterprises in Asia.  He returned to NZ in 1980 and remained closely involved with Philips, as a consultant setting up Dynamic Management International Ltd.  He specialised in management development, running leadership courses for Philips and other NZ companies as well as internationally.

From 1989 to 1993 Ross was the Director of Human Resources for Telecom Auckland Limited at a time leading up to the establishment of Telecom NZ Limited.  His strong change management skills brought about a cultural shift in this organisation as it evolved from being a Government Department to private ownership. He returned to his own consultancy for the rest of his career post Telecom. Ross was awarded Visiting professorship and Doctorate by the University of Nanging in China and also lectured at a university in Queensland for some years.

Ross was one of the founders of the Personnel Management Association which later became the Institute of Personnel Management and now the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.  HRINZ can thank Ross and the other initiators of PMA for their foresight and action which helped move Human Resource Management in NZ from being an administrative function to a profession in its own right.

Ross advocated strongly for women to be given the opportunity to move into senior roles at a time when this was not as prevalent as today. He was great mentor and supporter of many women.   I know I received some very good career breaks through Ross, either directly or indirectly, over the years.

Ross had great insight and was very astute. I will always remember him for his cryptic comments and dry sense of humour so aptly summing up situations.  Despite his grand age and failing health, his mind remained sharp.   I will remember Ross as an HR Leader who developed, enabled and empowered others to achieve beyond their expectations.

Naomi Johnson

FHRNZ