Geoff Davies – High profile old boy briefly back in Dunedin
It was a flying visit but UK Chambers of Commerce 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year and OBHS old boy Geoff Davies has reinvigorated his links with his former city and school during his short time back in Dunedin in November.
Davies was filling the dual roles of guest speaker at the Otago Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards and the University of Otago Business School’s Distinguished Visitor.
Since leaving Otago Boys High School in 1963 he has amassed an impressive list of credentials, including numerous business awards, and roles such as Director of the British Chamber of Commerce; Director and Council member of the Agricultural Engineers Association; and Chairman of the Farm Equipment Council.
Davies’ CV includes a BSc(Hons) and MSc from Manchester University, and a Postgraduate Diploma from Keele University. He is also Vice President of an American NYSE listed company, Alamo Incorporated, and Managing Director of a group of Alamo-owned agricultural and commercial mowing equipment manufacturing companies spread through Britain, France, the Netherlands and Russia. He has also received an OBE from the Queen in 2004 for services to British agriculture.
His family had originally come to New Zealand under post-war immigration schemes when he was a child. They lived on a farm in Otautau to begin with, before moving to Dunedin and tackling the grocery trade.
From this Davies developed a love of rural life but also enjoyed his first taste of business and entrepreneurship, watching his father develop their Caversham shop.
After his time at OBHS Davies headed for the United Kingdom to train as a naval navigation officer, gaining his qualifications from Manchester University in the process.
The business world eventually beckoned and he completed his postgraduate diploma in management studies at Keele University before applying for a position with the Rubery Owen Group which eventually took him into the world of agricultural equipment manufacturing and his current role with Alamo.
Already a keen supporter of the school, through his Senior Fellowship membership of the Otago Boys’ High School Foundation, Davies is keen to extend his involvement with OBHS, the University of Otago and Dunedin by way of an intern programme.
His company already sponsors five undergraduates a year and Davies told the Otago Daily Times that he is keen to establish a similar programme here.
The aim would be to have an OBHS pupil sponsored to study at the University of Otago and then go on to an internship with one of the 17 companies in Alamo Group Europe.
Davies is also interested in building his business contacts with Dunedin by buying a manufacturing business in the city.