John Ingram

Sir John Henderson Ingram (3 September 1924 – 1 April 2015) was a New Zealand engineer and businessman. He was managing director of New Zealand Steel from 1969 to 1987, and later served as a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.

Early life and family Ingram was born in Nelson on 3 September 1924, and was educated at Nelson College from 1935 to 1942. In November 1942, he was called up for service with the armed forces, and he served as flight mechanic in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, attaining the rank of leading aircraftsman.

Following World War II, Ingram received a bursary to study at Canterbury University College, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering in 1950. In 1948, he won the New Zealand university heavyweight boxing title, and the following year he was awarded a boxing blue by Canterbury University College.

In 1952, Ingram married Rosemary Clara Cuningham, who had also attended Canterbury University College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. The couple would go on to have three children.

From 1976 to 1977, Ingram served as president of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand.

Ingram was as a member of the University of Auckland council for 18 years from 1979, including a period as pro-chancellor from 1982 to 1983. He also served as a member of the Auckland Area Health Board. His wife, Rosemary, Lady Ingram, died in Auckland less than a year later, on 29 February 2016.

Honours and awards In the 1984 New Year Honours, Ingram was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to manufacturing and the engineering profession. In 1990, he was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal,

Ingram was elected a Distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand in 1997. He was also a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.