Dr Neil Barns has a distinguished career in tertiary education leadership and governance, which informs his role as the Deputy Chair of the Open Polytechnic Council.
He has served as Chief Executive of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, and was interim Chief Executive of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology during its establishment. Neil has also held commissioner roles for WelTec and Whitireia, guiding the institutions through a significant period of change.
His governance experience includes serving as Deputy Chair of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waiariki Institute of Technology, and as a member of the Education New Zealand board. Neil has led major sector projects, including the EIT–Tairāwhiti polytechnic merger and an international review of New Zealand’s quality assurance system for NZQA.
Neil holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) and a Diploma in Teaching.