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Alan Gibbs

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Alan Gibbs
Born1939 (age 84–85)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Alma materCanterbury University (B.A., 1961)
Victoria University of Wellington (M.A., Economics, 1962)
Occupation(s)entrepreneur, businessman, art collector
Known forGibbs Amphibians, Gibbs Farm, SKY TV (New Zealand)
SpouseJennifer Gore (Dame Jenny Gibbs)
ChildrenAmanda, Debbi and Emma and one son Thane.
Parent(s)Theodore Nisbet Gibbs
Elsie Gibbs

Alan Gibbs (born 1939) is a New Zealand-born businessman, entrepreneur and art collector. After a successful business career in New Zealand, which made him one of that country's wealthiest individuals, he relocated to London in 1999. He retains strong links to New Zealand through his development of Gibbs Farm, one of the world's leading sculpture parks. He is the founder of Gibbs Amphibians, based in Detroit, Michigan, Nuneaton, UK, and Auckland, New Zealand, which pioneers high-speed amphibious vehicle technologies.

Early life

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Alan Gibbs was born in Christchurch, the son of Theodore Nisbet Gibbs and Elsie Gibbs.[1]

New Zealand business career

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Gibbs went to London in 1963 as Third Secretary in the New Zealand High Commission, returning to New Zealand in 1965 to work in the Prime Minister's department.[2]

Art and sculpture collection at Gibbs Farm

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Gibbs is one of New Zealand's leading art collectors, and since 1991 has been establishing a sprawling 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) sculpture park at Gibbs Farm,[3][4] which is located on Kaipara Harbour on New Zealand's North Island, 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Auckland in the Rodney district.

Among the art works installed on The Farm are monumental pieces by contemporary artists including Daniel Buren, Neil Dawson, Marijke de Goey, Andy Goldsworthy, Anish Kapoor, George Rickey, Richard Serra and Bernar Venet.[5][6]

Gibbs receiving an honorary doctorate from University of Canterbury Chancellor John Wood in April 2014


Honours and awards

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In 2018, Gibbs was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Goldsmith, Paul (2002). TN Gibbs. Auckland: David Ling.
  2. ^ Goldsmith, Paul (2012). Serious Fun: the life and times of Alan Gibbs. Auckland: Random House. ISBN 978-978-1-86979-2.
  3. ^ "Gibbs Farm official website". 2010. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  4. ^ Haseeb (4 August 2012). "Sculpture in the Gibbs Farm". VentureBees. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  5. ^ "The Incredible Sculptures of Gibbs Farm". Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  6. ^ "The Farm" Archived 1 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine by Rob Garrett - retrieved 15 January 2015
  7. ^ "Past laureates". Business Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.

Books and media

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