Our People

Chairman

Barry H Spicer  BCom Hons (Queensland),  PhD (Wash)

Barry Spicer is a professor at the University of Auckland Business School. During his term as Dean from 1997 to mid 2008 he was centrally involved in the first Partnership for Excellence project awarded by the New Zealand Government aimed at developing an outstanding, international business school at Auckland.  As part of this project he oversaw the development of the project and the opening of the iconic, state-of-the art Owen G Glenn Building in February 2008. Over the time he was Dean, the Business School raised over $75 million for new programmes, faculty and student development and the new building. Based in New Zealand, Barry has held appointments at universities in the United States, England and Australia.

Director of Communications and Development

Mattie Wall

Mattie Wall was Director of Donor Stewardship at the University of Auckland Business School from 2003 to 2006, responsible for managing the relationship with the individuals, companies and trusts which gave the School $75 million+. Earlier in her career she worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 11 years, with postings first in Kuala Lumpur and then in New York as Vice Consul.  Following this, she undertook public relations/communications and project manager roles in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. These were within the public, private and not for profit sectors and involved education, agriculture, architecture and economic development.

GFF Director Asia

James Keir

Jimmy Keir was born and educated in Darjeeling, (then British India). His early career was in the Jewellery industry, first in Calcutta and then New Delhi with a British company. He moved to England where he worked for a time in Harrods, playing hockey in his spare time with Owen Glenn, who became a close and lifelong friend. In 1962 Jimmy went to live in Hong Kong and in 1979 became CEO of Jardine Matheson’s Jewellery Division. In 1985, he began working independently, finally retiring from the jewellery trade in 1997. Jimmy was President of the Rotary Club of Kowloon in 1975-76. He was made Life Vice-President of the Hong Kong Hockey Association and is a Founder member of the International Masters Hockey. Knowing the Kalimpong area so well from his youth, Jimmy has played an important role in developing and supporting the Model Villages Programme. Jimmy has been involved with the GFF's work in the Kalimpong area from the outset of the Model Village Programme and he continues to offer a strongly supportive role, maintaining a close interest in its progress.

GFF Director India

Saom Namchu

Saom Namchu was born in Darjeeling and educated at the Jesuit-run St Joseph's School. He completed his education studying Science at St Joseph's College. Saom is a proud member of the Lepcha tribe - the original inhabitants of the hills in the Darjeeling and Sikkim region. Saom's strong love for the mountains led to him to qualify as a mountain guide at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. He has organised treks across the Himalayas and to other areas in India. In total, Saom has had 23 years in the hospitality industry, working first as a Guide,then as a Tour Manager, Operations Manager and  as an owner of his own company. Having originally thought about becoming a doctor, Saom challenged his medical friends to participate in the free medical camps he organised in remote villages with the help of the Rotary Club in Darjeeling. In 2007, Jimmy Keir introduced Saom to Owen Glenn on one of their visits to Darjeeling. Owen challenged Saom to lead the GFF's vision of a Model Village Programme in the Kalimpong area - a challenge which Saom gladly accepted. Today he leads a small but dedicated team of GFF staff who work closely with village people in the area to help them build better lives.