BEN KEPES, CFInsD

Ben Kepes CFInstD is a professional chair, director, entrepreneur and internationally recognised technology commentator with extensive governance experience spanning State-Owned Enterprises, mutuals, iwi organisations, healthcare, infrastructure, technology and privately held companies.

Ben currently serves as Chair of Kordia Group, New Zealand's telecommunications and cybersecurity State-Owned Enterprise, and Chair of SmartCo, a leading smart metering and data services company. He is Deputy Chair of Unimed, one of New Zealand's largest health insurers, and is a director of Pegasus Health, Paenga Kupenga (the commercial arm of Ngāi Tūāhuriri), Corde Limited, and Cactus Outdoor, the company he co-founded in 1992.

Across these organisations, Ben chairs the Commercial, Data and Digital Committee at Pegasus Health and serves on numerous Audit and Risk, People and Culture, and People, Safety and Wellbeing committees. His governance career has been characterised by appointments to organisations undergoing strategic renewal, CEO succession, technology transformation and commercial growth.

Before transitioning to a portfolio governance career, Ben built Cactus Outdoor from a start-up into one of New Zealand's best-known outdoor equipment brands. He has since become a globally recognised technology analyst and adviser, working with many of the world's leading technology companies and bringing deep expertise in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and technology strategy to the boardroom.

Ben has invested in numerous early-stage technology companies across New Zealand, Australia, North America and Europe, and has contributed to multiple successful trade sales and acquisitions. He has also served as chair and director of several high-growth technology businesses, including SwipedOn, Appsecute and Connect2Field.

A Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors (CFInstD), Ben was recognised with the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award for his contribution to leadership and governance.