Founder
When Owen Glenn arrived in New Zealand at the age of 12, no one could have foreseen what lay ahead. His entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen have made him an internationally-recognized leader in the logistics industry and an inspiration to others.
Educated at Mt Roskill Grammar School, Owen began his career in logistics with Trans-Tasman Airways, the forerunner of Air New Zealand.
Between 1969 and 1975 he established McGregor Squire Air Services (MSAS), a pioneer of full-service freight forwarding, for the Owen and Squire Groups.
In 1978, he formed Direct Container Lines (DCL) which soon became the second largest exporter of goods in the USA. Three years later he set up NACA Logistics, now one of the world’s largest freight forwarding conglomerates.
Owen completed Harvard University’s Owner President Management Program in 1990, expanding his thinking about negotiations, customer communications and technology.
As the Chairman of the OTS Logistics Group, which he has recently sold, his vision of creating a truly integrated global transport conglomerate was realised.
Although spending a lot of his time overseas, Owen still regards himself as a New Zealander. In addition to his other international philanthropic work through the Glenn Family Foundation, in 2005 Owen contributed NZ$7.5 million to The University of Auckland Business School. This was a landmark philanthropic contribution in New Zealand education, in recognition of which the University named the iconic new building in which the School is housed, the Owen G Glenn Building.
Since this time Owen has supported a range of other causes in New Zealand, including the AUT-Millennium Institute of Sport and Health and New Zealand Hockey. In India, the Glenn Family Foundation continues to support the rescue of children from exploitation and abuse and village development in the Kalimpong region.
Business Awards
In 1989 Owen Glenn won The United States President’s E Award for Success in Exporting.
In 1991 he was given the E Star Award for “continued contributions to the Export Expansion Programme of the USA.” In the same year Owen was nominated by INC. Magazine as their Entrepreneur of the Year.
Honours for Philanthropy
Owen Glenn - New Zealand Order of Merit
In June 2008, Owen Glenn was appointed to the Order of New Zealand Merit. This was given in acknowledgement of his services to NZ business and his philanthropic contribution to the community.The medal was bestowed on him by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The New Zealand Order of Merit is an Order of Chivalry established in 1996 for ” those persons in any field of endeavour who have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation, or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits.”
The Order’s motto “FOR MERIT” translates as “TOHU HIRANGA” in Maori: “to achieve excellence”. This reflects the Glenn Family Foundation’s own motto “Alte Pete” which means “strive for the highest things.”
Ren Lapun Owen G Glenn
In a colourful ceremony performed by the Holy Bonting in 2009, the Lepcha people in North East India conferred on Owen Glenn in the title of Ren Lapun. This title, which means " Master and Creator," is the highest accolade of the Lepcha people and was made in recognition of the assistance that Owen, through the Glenn Family Foundation, has provided to their people to protect and preserve their culture. Only one other living person has been honoured with this title.
The Lepchas or Rongs are the indigenous people of Darjeeling District and Sikkim in North East India. They are akin to their Tibetan and Bhutanese cousins and have Mongolian origins. Originally a gentle race of nature-worshippers, most Lepchas have now converted to Buddhism, Hinduism or Christianity. Their numbers were diluted with the influx of Nepalese and Indians brought in to work in the tea gardens, but the Lepcha people still retain a wealth of folklore, their own language, script and customs, as well as colourful, traditional costumes. Most of the old Lepcha manuscripts ("naamtho-naamthaar)" which still exist are in private hands in the Kalimpong area.
Two Lepcha youth leaders told Owen of their wish to revive and promote their ancient language and script. In response, in 2006, the Foundation funded the building of three new Lepcha schools, plus allocated money for the printing of school textbooks in the Lepcha language and established night schools to ensure the language is kept alive.
In 2008, when Owen Glenn visited the Lepcha Youth Hostel he found it in disrepair and arranged for the Foundation to provide funds for the renovation of the three-storey building. This included improving the kitchen facilities and providing additional toilets and showers, beds and furniture. A rain water harvesting system was also put in. The building of a new community hall was a major contribution.
Ratu Owen Vuilawa Glenn
Owen Glenn owns a family home in Fiji, near Solevu Village. Together with family members Owen became involved in helping to improve the village in various ways. Ratu Sefanaia, the village head wanted to express his gratitude by inducting Mr Glenn into his own family and appointing him as a Ratu in his own right. The ceremony was held with 3,000 people attending. Traditional performances and dances began the event, after which Owen was presented with traditional gifts, including a whole cooked pig and a tabua (whale’s tooth). This was followed by formal speeches and the placing of a tabua necklace around Mr Glenn’s neck. He was then proclaimed “Ratu Owen Vuilawa Glenn”. A ceremonial dance followed and the two Ratu shared the drinking of kava to celebrate the occasion.
Rugby and netball games entertained the villagers all afternoon, while children participated in an art/painting competition with art supplies kindly donated by Hanna’s Dream, a US-based charity and partner of the GFF. The day concluded with a Fijian feast and music.
Paul Harris Fellowship for Philanthropy
In 2010 Owen was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for Philanthropy by the Sunrise-Ellerslie Rotary Club.This award is reserved for people who have a history of long and meritorious service to the community which fulfills the ideals of Rotary for the betterment of humanity.
Fellow of CPA Australia
In October, 2011, CPA Australia made Owen Glenn a Fellow, in recognition of his contributions to both business and philanthropy.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Auckland
On February 1, 2012, Owen was awarded the Honorary Degree of of Doctor of Laws by the University of Auckland in recognition for his ongoing commitment to the University and education in New Zealand.