Mervin Singham Biography
Mervin Singham
Director, Office of Ethnic Affairs
Mervin Singham is from Malaysia and has lived in New Zealand for over twenty four years. He has an Honours Degree in Law from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch and a First Class Honours Masters Degree in Law from the University of Auckland. Mervin’s career encompasses management roles in both the private and public sector. He has attended the Proteus Leadership Development Programme at the London Business School and the Harvard Business School’s Leading Change and Organizational Renewal Programme. Before assuming the position of Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Mervin spent eight years working in the field of human rights where he held the position of Chief mediator, Human Rights Commission and, prior to that, several years in a multinational company based in New Zealand. His achievements include several United Nations consultancy projects and work in a number of jurisdictions including Australia, Fiji, Canada, UK and the Middle East. In 2007 he led a policy dialogue between the UK and New Zealand governments on the topics of multicultural communities, diversity and social cohesion. Mervin has a particular interest in conflict resolution, public policy and intercultural issues.
Mervin's practical approach addresses the day to day questions that arise around diversity. What are the key considerations for dealing with ethnic diversity successfully? How can leaders be effective in a multicultural environment? How can we deliver value for money while becoming increasingly flexible in the way we operate?
Mervin’s presentation offers fresh insight on the compelling challenges diversity presents – and some practical tools which leaders can utilise immediately to be more effective in our multicultural society.
Last updated 1:02:32 pm Wednesday 4 November, 2009