Mr. Richard Thomson

Mr. Richard Thomson
Trustee

Richard is a trustee on the board of The Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust. He has been a board member since 2001 and brings a broad range of expertise to the Trust.

Richard trained at the University of Otago as a Clinical Psychologist and, after graduating, was appointed as a lecturer in Psychological Medicine at the University of Otago Medical School. After several years in academia, he left to lead the Dunedin Environment Centre, contributing to the major campaign that successfully prevented an aluminium smelter from being built at Aramoana. During this time, he and his partner Anita established a small retail shop to support the campaign, the beginnings of what would become the Acquisitions retail chain, now operating 20 stores nationwide.

Alongside his business career, Richard has remained deeply involved in the health sector. He founded and served as long-term Chair of the Hawksbury Trust, a 24/7 residential service for intellectually disabled adults, and has held numerous governance roles in health. These include serving on the Otago Area Health Board, Otago DHB, and Southern DHB, with seven years as Chair of the Otago Board. When the Southern DHB was placed under a Commissioner, Richard was appointed Deputy Commissioner by the Minister of Health, a position he held until his retirement in 2019.

Beyond health governance, Richard served two terms as a Dunedin City Councillor, including as Chair of Finance, and has held directorships across a range of commercial and community organisations. These include the Composite Retail Group, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin City Holdings, Dunedin City Treasury, Dunedin Stadium Properties, and Dunedin Railways. He continues his involvement in health as Chair of Central Otago Health Services, which oversees Dunstan Hospital and related services.

With his extensive governance experience, strategic insight, and strong commitment to public service, Richard provides invaluable perspective and leadership to the Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust board.