Wenceslaus Anthony

Vailankanni Wenceslaus Melchoir Anthony MNZM (28 September 1957 – 23 July 2017) was an Indian-born New Zealand businessman, the chairman and managing director of WA Marketing Ltd (WAML Group) and the chairman and Director of Pact Industries Pty Ltd, Australia. He was a recipient of the title, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

Wenceslaus Anthony

MNZM
Born(1957-09-28)28 September 1957
Myanmar (Burma)
Died23 July 2017(2017-07-23) (aged 59)
Chennai, India
Alma materLoyola College, Chennai
OccupationBusinessman, educationist
Spouse(s)Susan
ChildrenSneha (Daughter) Akash(Son)
AwardsMember of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

Early years

Anthony was born on 28 September 1957 in Myanmar, in a Tamil family to Anthony and Gracy. He had a brother and three sisters. He studied at Don Bosco, Calcutta and graduated with a B.Com (Hons), then a M.B.A. from Loyola College, Chennai. He was married to Susan and the couple had two children, Sneha and Akash. He died on 23 July 2017 at Apollo Hospital, Chennai, due to multiple organ failure.[1]

Career in India

Anthony started his career at Godrej and Boyce and subsequently moved to Hindustan Computers Ltd.. Later, he became the Deputy Director and Secretary to the Board of Studies for Loyola Institute of Business Administration in the well known Loyola College, Chennai, India.[2]

Career and other appointments in New Zealand

Anthony migrated to New Zealand in 1999 and established WAML Group with offices in New Zealand, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and other countries.[2] In 2001 Anthony was member of New Zealand Ministerial Delegation to India with Paul Swain, Minister of Information Technology. He was also an important member of the Official Delegation of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key during his state visit to India in June 2011, where he attended a State Banquet with then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.[3]

In June 2012, Anthony was appointed as a Director on the Board of Bank of Baroda in New Zealand.[4]

Anthony was passionate about education and was also the Chairperson of Business Advisory Group of International College of Auckland[5] The college has instituted a student scholarship in his name.[6]

Anthony was the first person of Indian origin to be appointed Chair of the India New Zealand Business Council -INZBC that looks after Trade and Business between India and New Zealand and completed his term in June 2013. He was the head of Government Relations in INZBC.[7] He continued to be actively involved in India New Zealand trade relations.[8] Anthony was a special guest at the fourth anniversary of the New Zealand branch of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) held at Alexandra Park in Greenlane, Auckland on Saturday, 27 October 2012 .[9] The Hon'ble Speaker of India Parliament, on her official visit to New Zealand, presented a memento to Anthony in appreciation of his contribution to the community.[2]

Anthony was also on the Advisory Board of New Zealand India Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington and on the board of directors for various companies in Auckland.

Anthony was appointed the chairman of the recently formed Multicultural New Zealand Business Advisory Board to provide support and advocacy for small and medium businesses.[10]

Faith and other community activities

Anthony was a practising Catholic and was involved in many church and community activities. He was appointed to the board of the Catholic Caring Foundation by the Most Reverend Patrick Dunn (bishop) Bishop of Auckland. Having known and worked closely with the late Mother Teresa he was the chairman of the Mother Teresa Interfaith Committee, which organises yearly gatherings on Mother's birthday between people of different faiths and religious leaders to honour her work of reaching out to all people irrespective of religion and background.[11] He was also in charge of the New Zealand branch of Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor. He was the founder Director of Conquest Club in New Zealand which aims to form young men to grow in character and virtue to be future leaders in their community.[12] He was also a member of various other church and community organisations.

Honours
Ribbon of the New Zealand Order of Merit

In the 2014 New Year Honours, Anthony was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to New Zealand–India relations.[13][14][15][16] Functions to honour his achievement by the various communities he serves in were held across Auckland and in India.[17]

In 2017, Anthony received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice decoration of the Roman Catholic Church.[18]

Present and past positions
PositionInstitutionTerm
Chairman & managing directorWAML GroupIncumbent
Chairman & DirectorPact Industries Pty LtdIncumbent
ChairmanIndia New Zealand Business Council-INZBCFormer
HeadGovernment Relations-INZBCIncumbent
DirectorBank of Baroda NZIncumbent
Advisory board memberNew Zealand India Research Institute, Victoria University of WellingtonIncumbent
ChairpersonBusiness Advisory Group, International College of AucklandIncumbent
DirectorSwansky LimitedIncumbent

References
  1. "WENCESLAUS ANTHONY PASSES AWAY". 23 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  2. "Wenceslaus Anthony". Wamlgroup.com. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  4. "Bank of Baroda appoints new director". Indian Newslink. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  5. "ICA associate India with New Zealand education | International College of Auckland". Ica.ac.nz. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  6. "Wenceslaus Anthony Excellence Scholarship | International College of Auckland". Ica.ac.nz. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  7. "Chair Wenceslaus Anthony". INZBC. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  8. "Direct flights from India a possibility – Latest National News – Keep up with Newstalk ZB". Newstalkzb.co.nz. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  9. Gopio. "News " Gopio". Gopio.org.nz. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  12. "Conquest " Forged in Virtue. Called to Serve". Conquestclubs.com. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  13. "New Year honours list 2014". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  14. "New Year Honours 2014: a grateful nation salutes its achievers (full list)". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  18. "Pope honours Wenceslaus Anthony". 13 March 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
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