Nat Waran

Background

About Nat Waran

I’m a strategic and transformational leader with many years of experience at senior executive level in the tertiary education and the not for profit/animal welfare charity sectors. Previously the Inaugural Director of the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, and the International Dean - I relocated back to New Zealand at the end of 2016. Until Sept 2023 I was the Strategic and Academic leader for one of two Faculties at EIT and Exec. Dean responsible for the Centre for Research and Innovation. As Professor of One Welfare, at EIT for 7 years I worked with colleagues internationally on research projects addressing Animal Welfare/Quality of Life and Capability building workshops. As an Hon Professor at Edinburgh University I continue to work closely with colleagues in Edinburgh developing and delivering animal welfare programmes with a specific focus on developing countries. My governance roles include: Previous chair of the New Zealand Companion Animal Council (now Companion Animals NZ), and Trustee for STRIVE HB and HBCFT (both human health and welfare charities). Trustee for the International fund for Animal Welfare, The Brooke (working equids in developing countries) and Auckland SPCA. Currently I’m the invited Chair of the NZ government advisory group NAEAC and member of NAWC. In 2025 I was awarded an OBE recognising my services to international animal welfare especially, equine welfare, research and education.