Trust House appoint new Chief Executive

Wellington-based businessman and community leader John Prendergast has been appointed as Chief Executive of Trust House Limited.

Mr Prendergast has a long and established career in senior leadership roles. This includes the last 25 years as a successful chief executive across three substantial and diverse organisations, and a similar length of time in leadership roles across multiple community organisations.

“We are very excited to have secured someone of John’s capability and experience,” says Trust House Board of Directors Chair Mena Antonio.

“His impressive skill set makes him a fantastic fit for Trust House, particularly as the organisation continues to follow a direction that puts more focus on community housing.”

Mr Prendergast is currently Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington (ADW), a position he has held since early 2020. The ADW operates more than 40 primary and secondary state integrated schools, Catholic Social Services and over 50 churches in 22 Parishes from Wairarapa to Kaikoura.

Previously he was Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) in Invercargill from 2018 to 2020, managing 450 staff. PSS operates numerous rental accommodation and aged care facilities, in Invercargill and Gore, and also runs Family Works, Southland’s largest social service agency.

Notably, Mr Prendergast served as Chief Executive Officer of the Community Trust of Southland for 20 years before taking up his position with PSS. The Community Trust of Southland is one of New Zealand’s largest regionally-based, community owned philanthropic and investment trusts.

His service to business and community has been recognised both at home and abroad. This recognition includes being awarded the City of New York University Senior Philanthropic Fellowship, and a Winston Churchill Fellowship.

He is a widely respected public speaker and has been a keynote speaker and/or MC at over 100 conferences nationally and internationally.

Mr Prendergast says he is looking forward to his new job, as Chief Executive of Trust House, and he and wife Donna are very excited to be moving to the Wairarapa.

“I know and understand community very well, and the wonderful role a community organisation such as Trust House Ltd can play working alongside and with communities to empower them,” he says.

He will officially start on 10 July, replacing Graeme Bell who has been acting Chief Executive since March following the resignation of Charles Kaka earlier in the year.