Rate My Professor Brian Trott

Brian Trott serves as the Chief Financial Officer (Te Pou Tahua) for the University of Otago, having taken up the position on 6 June 2023. In this senior leadership role, he is part of the University Council’s Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic financial oversight of one of New Zealand’s leading research universities. His office is located in Room 124 on the first floor of the Clocktower building in Dunedin, with a direct dial phone number of +64 3 556 6939. Prior to his appointment at Otago, Brian Trott was the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at the Universal College of Learning | Te Pūkenga in Palmerston North. A qualified Chartered Accountant, he holds a Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) from Massey University. Mr Trott brings more than 25 years of extensive professional experience spanning education, central and local government, commerce, engineering, petrochemical sectors, and public practice as a chartered accountant. His appointment followed the planned retirement of the previous CFO, Sharon van Turnhout, and was welcomed by Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson for the wealth of experience he contributes to the role. Brian Trott expressed enthusiasm for relocating to Dunedin and tackling the opportunities presented by his new responsibilities at the University of Otago.

The Financial Services Division under Brian Trott’s leadership supports the university’s operations across its campuses, ensuring robust financial management amid the challenges of higher education. Listed in the University of Otago’s 2024 Annual Report as Mr Brian N. Trott BBS(Massey) CA, his expertise in financial strategy is vital to the institution’s ongoing success and sustainability. Staff directories confirm his contact details and position within the Dunedin-based Financial Services team.