McLeod, Donald Frederick Biography 1991

McLEOD, Donald Frederick
Retired Executive Director and Chairman of Wattie Industries Limited
Born Hastings, 23 May 1911, son of Donald Francis McLeod and Edith Mary (née Horrell); married Marie Kathleen Ness, daughter of Frederick and Ethel Ness, 1937;  three sons, one daughter
Educated: Central Primary School, Hastings; Napier Boy’s High School; Victoria University, Bachelor of Commerce 1936;  Associate Chartered Accountants 1936
1^st Battalion, Wellington Regiment, 1941-44 (Warrant Officer ll)
Wellington: Cadet, Government Audit 1928-30, Public Accountancy 1933-36; Secretary, Accountant, Financial Services Limited 1937-40; Secretary, Account Manager, Rubber Distributors Limited. Accountant, Wilberfoss Harden & Company 1955-56
Hastings: Finance Manager, J Wattie Canneries Limited 1957-69, Finance Manager, Wattie Industries Limited 1970-73; appointed Board of Wattie Industries as Executive Director for Finance 1972
Deputy Chairman, then Chairman on death of Sir James Wattie, 1974-81 (retired)
Director, while with Watties, of associated companies: General Foods Corporation of NZ Limited, Cropper NRM Limited, Abels Industries Limited, Wattie Pict (Australia), Wattie Japan Limited (Japan)
Member, while with Watties: Japan/NZ Australia/NZ Business Councils, Pacific Basin Economic Council, exploratory committee leading to NZ Australia Free Trade Agreement
Director, Hawke’s Bay Farmers Co-operative early 1970’s
Chairman (non executive) East Coast Gas Supply Limited 1981-87, group seeking franchise for distribution natural gas in Hawke’s Bay, Northern Wairarapa; negotiated in conjunction with Brierley viability of proposal, forming company by merger of  Hastings, Napier gas companies, finalising agreements for construction pipelines, gas supply
President, Hastings Chamber of Commerce 1962-63 (Life Member), Member Associate Chambers Council
Foundation Trustee, Hawke’s Bay Savings Bank (later Eastern and Central Savings Bank), Board Member 1962-87, President 1975-76
Member: Cot Deaths Division  of Child Health Welfare Federation, Diabetes Federation; Vestryman, St Mathew’s Anglican Church, Hastings
Current Member Hawke’s Bay Advisory Council, Salvation Army
Sports: Victoria University Blue, rowing, shooting, 1934-35
Recreations: golf, gardening, fishing, modest tramping
Address: 44 Simla Avenue, Havelock North