A true expert who inspires confidence.
David Thomson serves as the Director of Strategy, Analytics and Reporting at the University of Otago, forming part of the institution's senior leadership team and reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor. A born-and-bred New Zealander, he earned a BA (Hons) in History and an MBA from the University of Otago. His international experience includes living and working in the United Kingdom, East Africa, and Asia, broadening his strategic insights in higher education administration. Previously, Thomson held the role of Director of Planning and Funding at the University, contributing to key institutional developments.
Since the early 1990s, Thomson has influenced New Zealand Government policy and regulation in higher education planning, funding, and reporting. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he chaired the University's Senior Emergency Management Group and led the establishment and management of Putea Tautoko, the financial relief fund that disbursed over $4.1 million to nearly 2,600 students in 2020 alone, with a total pool of $3.5 million. He actively serves on pan-University committees, education sector groups, and holds governance roles including Deputy Chair of the Trustees for the Foundation for Knox College and Salmond College, as well as membership on the Funding Committee of Universities New Zealand. In addition to his administrative achievements, Thomson is a published author and award-winning motoring journalist, having written 'The New Zealand Rally: Celebrating 25 Years' (Auckland, 1996) and contributed extensively to the Otago Daily Times' motoring section over more than 25 years. His leadership supports critical university reporting, such as the 2024 economic impact study attributing almost $2 billion to the New Zealand economy from Otago activities, predominantly in Dunedin, alongside highlights like improved QS World University Rankings positions to 206th globally and sustained maximum 5-star plus QS ratings.