Simon Shelton and Kirsty Tyro are amongst the first cohort of Gough MBA Leaders Family Foundation Scholarship recipients graduating in April.
Kirsty Tyro and Simon Shelton are among the first to graduate with a UC Master of Business Administration (MBA) after receiving the scholarship established by Ben and Penny Gough, trustees of the Gough Family Foundation, in 2022.
Gough Family Foundation Trustee Ben Gough says the scholarship is about backing leaders who create meaningful impact beyond their own careers.
“Seeing the first of the Gough MBA scholars cross the graduation stage is a really proud moment — not just for them or for Pen and me, but for the communities they’re already serving,” he says. “This is why we back future leaders who create opportunity, grow, give back, and strive to have real-world impact. We believe this ripple effect is how you build a thriving community.”
For Simon, tackling an MBA at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) was always about more than career progression. It was about equipping himself to tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.
“I’ve always had a passion for learning,” he says. “But the MBA gave me the tools, language and confidence to break down complex problems and really understand what’s going on beneath the surface.”
Simon came into the programme with a strong background in project management and infrastructure, including more than a decade with Antarctica New Zealand, including the role of Winter Base Leader. While he had already built a successful career, he saw the MBA as an opportunity to deepen his thinking and broaden his impact.
“What stood out to me about UC was how future-focused the programme is,” he says. “There was a real emphasis on things like digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data-informed strategy and business innovation using design thinking. It felt modern and relevant.”
That relevance translated directly into his day-to-day work. Simon says the MBA helped him make sense of an increasingly complex world. “It gives you frameworks to not be overwhelmed; to understand, to experiment, to find simple solutions to complex problems” he says. “You start asking, what’s the problem behind the problem? That’s been one of the most valuable shifts in how I think.”
A defining part of Simon’s experience was being selected as a Gough MBA Leaders Scholarship recipient. The scholarship, established in partnership with UC Business School, supports emerging leaders through financial assistance, mentorship, and unique development opportunities. The UC Business School holds the gold standard ‘triple-crown’ of international business school accreditations having achieved AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditations, an achievement only 1% of business schools worldwide hold.
“I feel extremely grateful,” Simon says. “The financial support is important, but it’s the relationships, the mentorship, and the sense of responsibility that really stand out.”
Through the scholarship, Simon connected with mentors and industry leaders, participated in leadership development experiences, and gained international exposure – including study in Helsinki and further executive education at Harvard University in the United States.
“It’s created a community of people who are all trying to grow and give back; to be the best they can be” he says. “You realise that even highly successful people are still learning, still make mistakes, still human. That’s inspiring.”
Now working as General Manager of the Gough Family Foundation, Simon is helping drive philanthropic initiatives across New Zealand. In addition to this role, he is leading a range of strategic projects for the Gough Family Office across a diverse portfolio, from digital transformation to environmental, social and governance strategy.
Fellow Gough MBA Leaders Scholarship graduate Kirsty Tyro also reflects on the degree as a transformative experience, both professionally and personally.
With a background as a chartered accountant, Kirsty returned to UC to take the next step in her career while balancing family life.
“I always knew that I would do an MBA, it was just about timing it right,” she says.
For Kirsty, the most impactful part of the programme was being pushed beyond her comfort zone, with opportunities that were challenging, enabling her to do things she wouldn’t have expected to get out of the programme.
She also found the programme strengthened her leadership approach, particularly in working with others. “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership – you have to adapt your style to the situation, the people and the circumstances, and learn how to bring everyone together.”
Kirsty says balancing study, work and family required strong prioritisation and being fully present with her family, and she credits her husband’s support as instrumental in helping her through the journey.
Now working as a Finance Director in engineering manufacturing company Enatel, Kirsty is applying what she has learned to help grow the business and navigate new opportunities.
She encourages anyone considering an MBA to take the step. “The skill sets are so diverse, and the network is incredibly powerful. Being surrounded by like-minded, motivated people and immersing yourself in that environment is incredible.”
Both Simon and Kirsty describe the Gough scholarship as a defining part of their MBA journey, offering not only financial support but access to mentorship, global networks and a community of leaders committed to making a difference.
“With five Gough MBA scholars graduating this April and 15 scholarships awarded to date, what excites me most is the growing whānau of young leaders who will continue to lift standards and challenge norms across business, the public sector and the community,” adds Ben.
(From left to right) UC graduates Kirsty and Simon and Penny and Ben Gough
