Governance

Experience 

I have experienced governance from both sides of the board table, having spent more than fifteen years as a chief executive as well as serving as a director – across listed companies, cultural organisations, membership bodies and public-interest organisations, That perspective has shaped my view that good governance is not simply about oversight. At its best, it provides clarity of purpose, enables good decision-making and creates the conditions for organisations to succeed. 

What I bring 

I am particularly interested in organisations navigating change, complexity or competing stakeholder expectations. I bring experience in strategy, organisational transformation, performance, culture, risk and stakeholder relationships, together with the practical perspective that comes from leading organisations through significant change myself. 

My background also means I am comfortable working through difficult issues constructively. I enjoy asking the questions that help boards think more clearly, explore different perspectives and make better decisions. 

Current or recent governance roles include 

• Media Council Complaints Board – Public Member | Current

• Tāwhiri Festivals and Experiences – Board Member | 2018–Current

• Vital Ltd (NZX: VTL) – Independent Director and Chair of the People and Remuneration Committee | 2017–2026

My executive experience is also a key dimension of my governance experience. A full governance CV is available on request 

Governance can become difficult even when everyone is acting in good faith. Relationships become strained, expectations drift, roles become blurred or boards and chief executives find themselves stuck on issues that are difficult to resolve from within. 

I work independently with boards, chairs and chief executives to help navigate these situations. Having worked on both sides of the board table, I understand the dynamics that can arise between boards, chairs and chief executives and the importance of addressing them constructively. 

Many of the organisations I work with operate in environments shaped by public scrutiny, political realities, regulatory expectations and competing stakeholder interests. These situations are rarely straightforward, but helping boards work through them constructively is some of the work I most enjoy.  

See the Facilitation section for more about this aspect of my practice.