Lincoln Alumni International Medal

Lincoln University Brian Hedley Lincoln Alumni International Medal 2017

The winner of the Lincoln Alumni International Medal for 2017, which recognises achievement outside of New Zealand, has had a wide-ranging career, making outstanding contributions to agriculture while maintaining a focus on poverty alleviation and social injustice.

Brian Hedley, an RFC, completed a Diploma in Valuation and Farm Management at Lincoln in 1960. Working initially as a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) adviser, he pioneered innovative approaches to agricultural extension, and in 1966, funded by the Basil Orr Trust, visited the UK to see what could be adopted from their advisory approach. His distinguished contribution to international development began in 1966 in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia for NZ Foreign Affairs followed by longer term assignments in the Philippines (Colombo Plan), Tanzania (FAO) and Nepal (ADB).

He joined ANZDEC, an international consultancy company, serving as Managing Director from 1981 to 1995. Established in 1971 ANZDEC is New Zealand’s leading rural development consulting company that works entirely offshore, is highly regarded by international development agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNDP, New Zealand and Australian aid agencies.

From 1996 to 1998, as International Manager of Royd’s Consulting, Brian led a corporate strategic planning process and the establishment of an international consulting capability that saw consulting income grow from zero to $1 million annually. During this time, and at the age of 60 he also completed a Master of Applied Science at the University of Western Sydney.

Between 1998 and 2006 Brian formed and managed Aberdeen Consulting - his own company and completed assignments for the Asian Development Bank in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Brian has served on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Aid Advisory Committee, as a Director of several New Zealand companies including ENEX the umbrella organisation for New Zealand consultants working internationally, Polytechnics International NZ, has been a member of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural Science, Member of the Institute of Management Consultants, the New Zealand Society of Farm Management. Since 2005, Brian has been involved with charitable work as a trustee of the Kyrgyzstan New Zealand Rural Trust that raises funds in New Zealand to assist impoverished livestock keeping communities in remote mountainous areas of Kyrgyzstan. Between 2007 and 2010, Brian and his wife Lynne made annual month long trips to the remote province of Naryn to supervise a field programme that helps 550 families in eight villages escape poverty. He has donated around 1000 hours of his time annually to the administration and management of the Trust.

Throughout his 40-year career in 18 developing countries, Brian has employed an ethical, equitable and practical approach to the complex issues of the developing world, thoughtfully linking theory to practice for the economic benefit of smallholder farmers in a way that places them at the centre of the development process. He gained strong recognition in strategic planning, design and management of integrated development projects, and in leading multi-disciplinary teams. Brian’s most lengthy association is with Nepal which began in 1983 and spans a number of significant projects funded mainly by the Asian Development Bank, most of which have been involved with livestock development, and include sector development studies, a master plan for livestock development and technical assistance with three large regional projects. Recent projects have been noted for their innovative approaches that involve farmers, the private sector, NGOs and Government. Since 2005, Brian and Lynne established their own charitable trust (Astha Children’s Home (Nepal/New Zealand)) which began supporting eight girls who, at the ages of 5-6, were being trafficked from an impoverished region of Nepal to brothels in India. The Trust funds the accommodation and education of now ten girls in Kathmandu. The girls are being provided with the necessary support, life-skills education such as computer, sewing, and housekeeping, and career training to become independent young women as nurses, teachers or social workers, free from the dangers of human trafficking. They visit Nepal each year to monitor progress and plan for the future.

Brian Hedley is a worthy recipient of Lincoln Alumni International Medal.

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