University welcomes new senior leader

When Mark Gregory first set foot on the University of Auckland campus in 2004, he bought a University-branded t-shirt and thought to himself, ‘I’d like to work here someday’.

More than two decades later, he will return to take up the position of Chief Operating Officer and Registrar on 1 December 2025, following the retirement of long-serving Deputy Vice-Chancellor Operations and Registrar Adrienne Cleland. While retiring from her role, Cleland will continue with the University in another part-time role until April 2026.

Gregory brings more than 25 years of experience in university operations and strategy across Australia and the United States. He most recently held the role of Vice President Corporate and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Flinders University in Adelaide, where he worked from 2017 until this year.

His career has also included senior leadership roles at the University of Adelaide and Portland State University in Oregon, following an early career in technology and software start-ups in his hometown of Chicago. He holds an MBA and undergraduate degrees in computer science and mathematics, as well as in psychology.

“The University of Auckland is a great university, with scale, quality, international reach, sustainability impact, a diverse culture and history. And it sits in a beautiful place in the world,” he says.

What excites Gregory most about the new role is the chance to get to know people and understand the University’s needs.

“This will be the fourth university I have been fortunate to serve in. They are all different with unique cultures, strengths and challenges. So, first, I need to learn all about this university and what the challenges are. The people I have met here are very engaged, capable and dedicated, so I’m excited to get to know more people first and listen to their perspectives on how we need to evolve and grow.”

Sustainability has been a passion throughout Gregory’s career, and one he sees as central to the role of universities. He points to the Sustainable Development Goals as a useful model for how institutions can make a positive impact on their communities.

“In my past roles, I have leveraged the operational capacity and scale of the university to show what can be done in renewable energy, water resources, green building, cleaner transportation, local economic development, social equity and other areas.

“In many ways, being able to deliver that impact is why I work as a university COO. Ultimately, I want the University to not only meet its own needs but to help lead the communities we serve to find smarter and more sustainable ways to live.”

He is also mindful of the broader challenges facing universities globally, from shifting demographics and tighter financial circumstances to rapid technological change.

“Universities need to show leadership, and we need to re-enforce our social licence and the value proposition for our students and communities.”

Beyond the office, Gregory is keen to embrace life in Aotearoa New Zealand with his family. They have always enjoyed the outdoors, from whitewater kayaking and river fishing in Oregon to long-distance cycling and bush walks in South Australia.

Sport is also on the agenda.

“We are already pencilling in a few Auckland FC matches, and I’m hoping somebody will help me with the rules of rugby so I can get to a few All Blacks games.”

One reminder of his first visit to Auckland also remains close at hand: the University t-shirt he bought in 2004.

“I still have it,” he says.

“On my last visit, I picked up a new Waipapa Taumata Rau t-shirt too.”