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I am very pleased to announce that IHC New Zealand Life Member Tony Shaw has been elected as Chair by the IHC Board.

Tony has a longstanding involvement with IHC and, as many of our members will know, has always been a strong advocate for people with intellectual disabilities.

I congratulate Tony and thank him for his generosity, for sharing his expertise and for his ongoing commitment to people with intellectual disabilities.

I also want to acknowledge Neil Taylor as he stands down as Chair. Like Tony, Neil is an IHC New Zealand Life Member who has made an extraordinary commitment to our organisation and people with intellectual disabilities, both locally (in Taranaki) and nationally. Neil remains on our Board.

Tony became involved with his local branch in Timaru some 40 years ago. He was an IHC Board Member from 1998 to 2005 and was reappointed in September 2019.

He was encouraged to join the IHC Board by Sir Roderick Deane. At the time the organisation faced many challenges and was pushing for the closure of institutions.

Tony was also IHC New Zealand President and IHC Board Chair from 2002 to 2005 and, in recognition of his contribution, became an IHC New Zealand Life Member in 2005.

On receiving his Life Membership Tony said that he was enormously proud of IHC and its achievements and that he would always support the cause and advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. He also said that he had been enriched by the experience, which had added real value to his life.

Tony has been a partner in the Timaru law firm Timpany Walton for almost 40 years and is a director of several private companies. He has a broad experience in community and volunteer organisations, often in the role of chairperson.

Ralph Jones
IHC Group Chief Executive