Leadership Change Signalled at Dilworth Trust
Dilworth Trust Chair Aaron Snodgrass has advised Trustees that he will not be seeking re-election to the chairmanship at the Trust’s annual meeting at the end of April 2025.
Mr Snodgrass will continue as a Dilworth Trustee to support a positive leadership transition but has decided to prioritise a new phase in his professional career as well as spending more time with his family after nearly seven years as Trust Chair.
One of New Zealand’s most experienced directors, Dilworth Trustee Jonathan Mason has agreed to seek election as Trust Chair at the AGM.
Mr Snodgrass, a Dilworth School Old Boy, has been Trust Chair since 2018, having joined the Board in 2013. He has led Dilworth’s response following the uncovering in 2018 of historical abuse at the School. This led to the School notifying the NZ Police and the launch of the Police’s criminal investigation, Operation Beverly, in April 2020 and the conviction of a number of former staff members.
Under Mr Snodgrass’s chairmanship, the Trust established Dilworth Response to address historical abuse at Dilworth School, including an Independent Inquiry, led by Dame Silvia Cartwright and Frances Joychild, which reported in September 2023, and an independent Redress Programme for former students who were abused and their families. The Trust continues to work through its response to the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry. As at December, 2024, 190 applicants had received redress settlement payments under the Redress Programme.
Mr Snodgrass said he remained fully committed to the School and looked forward to the remainder of his time as Chair, including being involved in the Dilworth community Acknowledgement and Apology on 1 March 2025, another key element of Dilworth Response. He looked forward to continuing to serve as a Dilworth Trustee while stepping back from the role of Chair.
“This is a personal decision for me arising from a new phase in my professional career, as well as a move with my family to Auckland. Our upcoming annual meeting marks a natural and appropriate transition point in our Dilworth Response programme,” said Mr Snodgrass.
“The Trust is fortunate that Mr Mason has agreed to seek election as Trust Chair, providing leadership into the future by one of New Zealand’s most experienced and accomplished independent directors.”
Mr Mason, who is expected to take up the role of Chair of the Trust at the AGM, joined the Dilworth Trust in 2019. He serves on the Board of Zespri, is a trustee of WWF-NZ and the University of Auckland Endowment Fund, a Member of the University Council for the University of Auckland and is Chair of the NZUS Council and the Institute of Directors’ Auckland Branch.
Mr Mason has extensive governance experience, having recently held Board positions on Vector, Westpac New Zealand, and Air New Zealand. He was previously Chief Financial Officer for Fonterra and Carter Holt Harvey. He is an Honorary Adjunct Professor of Management at the University of Auckland.
Dilworth Trust is also recruiting for two new Trustees, focusing on candidates with extensive educational and commercial property backgrounds and expertise and on increasing its diversity.
Mr Snodgrass said he was signalling his decision early to enable a positive leadership transition, and to link with the start of the new School year so that all stakeholders were fully informed on the future of the Trust and its governance.
ENDS
Contact information:
• Email: media@dilworth.school.nz
• Phone: +64 27 209 1670
About Dilworth School, Dilworth Trust and Dilworth Response
Dilworth is predominantly a boarding school. In 2025, a day school option was made available to years 7 and 8, and from 2026, there will also be day school places at Year 9. All 500 Dilworth students receive full scholarships.The Will of founder James Dilworth stipulated that his estate be used to establish and operate a school to provide an education for young men from families whose circumstances may prevent them from fulfilling their potential. Today, Dilworth School supports students to achieve their own personal excellence and to flourish in life.
Dilworth School is responsible for the safety, care, education and development of all current and future students. Dilworth students are offered academic, sporting, cultural and social opportunities, as well as a strong pastoral care system and quality teaching. In September 2022, Dilworth was the first school in New Zealand to gain Child Wise Accreditation, reinforcing its commitment to care for the safety of its current and future students. https://www.dilworth.school.nz/home
The Dilworth Trust is a charitable trust. The trustees maintain and expand the Trust’s assets in accordance with James Dilworth’s Will, they oversee the selection of students and they have governance oversight of Dilworth School. Revenue generated by the Trust’s properties and other investments funds the operating costs and future growth of Dilworth School. Dilworth School is not responsible for managing or making decisions about investing or spending the Trust endowment.
Dilworth Response oversees the Dilworth Trust’s commitment to fully, openly and honestly confronting the issue of historical sexual and other abuse that occurred at Dilworth School and to support former students, who were victims of this abuse, to heal. https://dilworthresponse.org.nz/