Meet the Board of LFT:

  • Victoria Carter ONZM Chairperson

    I have a Law Degree from the University of Auckland. For the last 25 years I’ve been in business. I’m an experienced Chair, Company Director and Trustee. I’ve been part of four successful start-ups. In 2019 concerned at the secrecy behind the closure of LFT, I founded Friends of Laura Fergusson and began a crusade to work on how to rebuild and recreate LFT. In 2016 Victoria received an ONZM for services to business, arts and the community. With my previous City Council experience, business knowledge, and connections built over 25 years across many sectors

  • Simon Dunlop Deputy Chair

    I have a B Com and B Arts. I’m an experienced company director who wants to ensure the wishes of the LFT founders are honoured. I run my own successful marketing consultancy, which provides specialist advice on business strategy, development and brand management. I have interests in property, tourism and the arts. My grandmother, Lady Caughey and my mother Anna Yates instilled in me the importance of LFT Auckland and its objective of providing rehabilitation services and accommodation when in need to disabled people.

  • Greg Horton MNZM

    I’m an experienced director and commercial lawyer, recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading commercial lawyers. I’m the former Chairman of Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand, and a board member/trustee of entities with varied interests across funds management, property, farming, and investments. I’ve been a board member of Emirates Team New Zealand since 2013. In 2022, I was made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to governance and philanthropy. I live with Motor Neurone disease.

  • Linda Smeele

    I have personal experience of spinal cord injury and the enormous impact it has on a person’s life through my son Brad. Alongside my observed experience of disability, I also bring professional experience and skills developed over a career as an award-winning media sales professional. Now retired, my goal is to become an advocate for the spinal cord injury and wider disabled community.

  • Michael Bishop

    I am an experienced CEO and Director / Trustee with a successful record in business growth, change management, financial growth and sustainability, and stakeholder relations, I’m the current CE of Harbour Sport and Chair of Disability Sport Auckland. I’m also a member of the National Parafed Governance steering group and brings substantial experience in sports administration. I live with cerebral palsy.

  • Michael Fisher

    I am a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auckland University. I bring extensive charitable sector board experience. I’m a trustee of the Gus Fisher Charitable Trust which focuses primarily on health and disability. My involvement with LFT stems from both parents (Gus and Rene Fisher) and the wider Fisher family's longstanding support for the organisation. My aunt Lady Fisher was a major founding donor and initiator of the Joyce Fisher Endowment Fund. I strongly believe that LFT should be providing yphysically disabled people with state of the art rehabilitation services and facilities to help maximise their independence and quality of life.

  • Sophia Malthus

    I am a Bachelor of Laws student. I had a life changing work place accident at 19, which resulted in me becoming a tetraplegic. I spent 9 months at Laura Fergusson learning how to live again. My time at Laura Fergusson contributed to the confidence I have built in being an ambassador and advocate for many in the disabled community, particularly within the young disabled community. I am committed to doing whatever I can to assist rebuild and recreate LFT so other young spinal chord patients, families and friends can get the support I did.

  • Philippa Atkinson

    I’ve had many years of senior roles in Auckland’s largest advertising agencies before forming my own business to provide a one stop shop for media strategy planning and buying. A recent non-for-profit job has been working on St David’s, the Soldiers’ Memorial Church, in Grafton Auckland. I have a long history of supporting Laura Fergusson’s fundraising.