Phillipa Muir

BA, LLB

Many successful and prominent businesswomen were educated at Matamata College in the 70s.  Phillipa is one of a host of these successes and went on to gain a Bachelor of Arts and Law Degrees at Otago University in 1982.

While at school Phillipa was an outstanding leader and as Head Girl in 1977 was inspirational.  Her vibrant personality and desire to leave school as a “Head Girl to remember” proved just that.

After graduating Phillipa worked as a solicitor at Haigh Lyon in Auckland where she developed an interest in industrial/employment law.  After a stint working in London she returned to Auckland to start up Simpson Grierson’s employment law practice in 1987.

Phillipa soon became a partner in Simpson Grierson and has headed the firm’s National Employment Law Group since 1989.

A busy person always finds time to be fully involved.  This certainly applies to Phillipa.  As well as bringing up two sons – Will (15 years) and Ben (14 years) with her husband Kit Toogood, she sits on a host of boards.

Phillipa is Chair of Fletcher Building Employee Educational Fund (2000 onwards), Deputy Chair of the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival (2007 onwards), a Trustee on the Auckland Grammar School Board of Trustees (2009 onwards) and Director of Health Alliance NZ Ltd (2011).

Phillipa’s parents have been Matamata stalwarts for many a year and Dad is still a “famous” golfer at the Matamata Golf Club!  Greg her brother is also featured on the Alumni and younger sister Sally studied nursing and works in Sydney.