Trust Governance Update
Welcoming Dame Jane Harding and Hubertein Wichers to the Trust’s Board
Dame Jane Harding
Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding has joined the Board in her role as President, Royal Society Te Apārangi. Jane is a neonatologist based at the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland (NZ). Her research concerns growth before and after birth, blood glucose regulation in the newborn, and the long-term consequences of treatments given around the time of birth.
Amongst her many awards are the Howard Williams Medal (Royal Australasian College of Physicians), the 2019 Women of Influence Supreme Award, the Rutherford Medal (Royal Society Te Apārangi) and Prime Minister’s Science Prize.
Hubertien Wichers
Hubertien Wichers has joined the Board in her role as President of the New Zealand Antarctic Society. Hubertien holds a Master of Antarctic Studies from the University of Canterbury (NZ) and brings valuable experience in strategic governance and organisational leadership.
Her governance experience extends beyond Antarctica, with roles on sporting and environmental boards where she contributed her expertise in strategic planning, organisational governance, membership, and event management.
Her professional background includes senior roles in procurement and project management within the Queensland Government.
Farewelling Georgina Archibald
Georgie has been an Independent Trustee since February 2023 following on from being part of our governance intern programme. As part of our Inspiring Explorers™ alumni, Georgie has made a valuable contribution to the Trust, driven by her passion for Antarctica and its work.
She has shared her expertise in environment and sustainability, supporting the Trust as it advances its strategy in these areas.
We’re incredibly grateful for Georgie’s voice advocating for the next generation of explorers. While we’ll miss her around the Board table, we know she’ll continue to inspire others and advocate the work of the Trust in everything she does.
Governance Intern Update
Welcoming Lawrence Rothwell
The Trust recently welcomed Lawrence Rothwell as a Governance Intern. Lawrence was part of the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to South Georgia in 2023 and has remained closely involved with the Trust ever since, contributing to Explorer Conferences and most recently supporting the team on the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ 2026 to the Antarctic Peninsula, drawing on his sailing background and time on the water assisting the community with the New Zealand Coastguard.
He also brings governance experience from his previous role as a Policy Analyst with the New Zealand Defence Force giving him valuable exposure to high level decision making and appreciation for the policies and processes that underpin effective governance.
Lawrence brings strong leadership and is deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of explorers to grow their own leadership potential.
