Grant Davidson

During his time studying industrial design at Wellington Polytechnic School of Design, Grant Davidson was introduced to Philips, the largest and most prestigious electronics company in Holland and a global corporation of significance.

Grant completed a summer internship at the Philips design headquarters in Eindhoven—a pivotal moment in his professional career. Following his placement in Holland he returned to New Zealand to complete his diploma, and went back to Philips as an employee in 1979. 

Through his career Grant has had many successes including more than 200 design awards under his leadership. He has contributed to the design of many Philips products that have been commercially successful and that have touched the lives of millions of people around the globe. Many of these objects are familiar to us: radios, toasters, shavers, kettles, the products that we interact with daily and which we rely on to conduct our lives conveniently, comfortably and with a sense of wellbeing.

Most recently, Grant was Vice President of Consumer Lifestyle Design at Philips, responsible for design innovation and differentiation in the business of personal care, one of the most profitable business units in Philips. Rising to this esteemed level within an organisation such as Philips is a considerable achievement. In 2008 Massey University Awarded Grant a Doctor of Science (honoris causa), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to industrial design.