Peter Kean

Chair

Originally from Otago, Peter’s career took him to Christchurch, Auckland and Melbourne before he returned to New Zealand and was appointed a Trustee of The Lion Foundation in April 2014.

Peter spent almost 30 years with Lion, beginning as a Sales Executive in Dunedin and holding a number of roles across Sales including Regional Director of the South Island and National Director of Sales based in Auckland, before becoming Managing Director of Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine New Zealand. Peter was then appointed Managing Director of Lion Dairy & Drinks based in Melbourne – a role he held for over 3 years before returning to New Zealand and taking up the role of Group International Director for Lion Corporate.

Peter completed the ‘Shaping Strategy’ programme at Mt Eliza Business School in Melbourne, Australia, and attended Harvard University in Boston, USA, where he completed the ‘Programme for Management Development’ and was appointed Valedictorian during his time there. Peter also recently completed the ‘Making Corporate Boards More Effective’ programme at Harvard University.

From 2009 to 2011 Peter was on the Board of the New Zealand Business Round Table, and is currently a Director of Freightways and Trojan Holdings and Chairman of The Highlanders and The Scapegrace Gin Company. He shares his time between Auckland & Cromwell.

Peter assumed responsibility as Chair of the Board of Trustees in January 2023.