2017


A leadership grounded in the not for profit sector and an engineer are the two 2017 Institute of Directors (IoD) Canterbury Branch Emerging Director Award winners. Cholmondeley Children’s Centre CE Arron Perriam MInstD and DETA Consulting Senior Engineer, director and shareholder Jeff Smit MInstD have been recognised as emerging talents in governance.
Institute of Directors Canterbury Branch Chair Vincent Pooch says the judges were impressed by Mr Perriam’s commitment to professionally develop so he can add further value to the not for profit sector; while Mr Smit demonstrated desire to improve and optimise business practices through developing his own governance expertise.
“Both Arron and Jeff stood out as having a strong commitment to improving their own professional development in the pursuit of adding the best value they could to future boards they might sit on. They both recognise good governance as being the foundation of great organisations, and have a real drive to grow their capability as professional directors.”
Our congratulations to Arron who was recently appointed as Chief Executive of Cholmondeley Children’s Centre – read more
2016
An influencer, collaborator and catalyser for change in the Canterbury technology sector, is the 2016 Institute of Directors (IoD) Canterbury Branch Emerging Director Award winner.
Canterbury Development Corporation Sector Leader – Technology, Helen Shorthouse was recognised as an emerging talent in governance at a Christchurch function on 17 October.
Institute of Directors Canterbury Branch Chair Vincent Pooch says the judges were impressed by Ms Shorthouse’s commitment to developing her governance abilities and passion for wanting to deliver governance excellence for New Zealand into the future. Read more
2015 Emerging Director Award Recipients

Tim Trewinnard Chris Bailey
Tim Trewinnard and Chris Bailey have been recognised as future talents at the board table after being awarded the IoD’s Canterbury Branch Emerging Director Award in Christchurch today.
“In an age of cyber threats, disruptive technology and digital innovation, firms need to consider the value of skills and capabilities like those we see in Tim and Chris at the board table,” IoD Canterbury branch chair Janice Fredric says.
“We’re pleased to be part of their next steps in governance, and we look forward to working with Tim and Chris over the next year to ensure good grounding in all aspects of directorship is achieved.”
Read more
2014
The Canterbury Branch of the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Aspiring Director Award 2014 has been awarded to Jessie Chan-Dorman.
Jessie Chan-Dorman will receive $1,500 towards an Institute of Directors (IoD) Director Development course, a year’s complimentary membership of the IoD, one year‘s complimentary attendance at IoD member functions, a year’s internship with Connetics, one of Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL) boards and mentoring with an experienced director.
Read more
Our congratulations to Jessie who received the 2017 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award
Read more
2013

For the first time in the award’s 15 year history the Canterbury Branch of the Institute of Directors’ Aspiring Director Award has been awarded to joint winners Elizabeth Hopkins and Michael Lay. The winners were selected from an impressive group of applicants with diverse career experience, business skills and understanding of governance. After a rigourous process the Selection Committee believed that it was difficult to separate the diverse strengths that Elizabeth and Michael would each bring to a governance role. Read more
Our congratulations to Michael on his appointment as an independent director for Canterbury Rugby.
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Reflections from our 2013 Recipients
At an IoD function on 20 July, Elizabeth Hopkins and Michael Lay, co-recipients of the Aspiring Director Award in the 2013 year, reflected on their experiences since receiving the Award.
Both had prior governance experience when receiving the Award – which was further developed via their experiences as interns on the boards of EcoCentral and Connetics respectively. Each company operated in industry sectors new to Liz and Michael. They gained experience and mentoring from their fellow directors and from their mentors. Thank you to CCHL, EcoCentral and Connetics for providing the internship opportunities.
Michael applied his training vouchers towards the Governance Development programme – a programme he endorsed – together with the networking benefits the Award had provided him. Both Liz and Michael noted they had gained confidence from receipt of the Award and the experience they had gained. Liz sounded a caution to those applying – make sure you have the time to commit.
With directors of this calibre progressing through the ranks, the future of governance is in good hands. Both Liz and Michael have received governance opportunities since receipt of the Award – a reflection on their abilities.
2012
Janice Fredric, chief executive of Duncan Cotterill Lawyers, is the recipient of the 2012 Aspiring Directors Award, provided by the Canterbury Branch of the Institute of Directors.
The coveted award is open to those wanting to become directors, and focuses on helping to hone governance skills. Read more
Janice was Canterbury Branch Chairman from 2014-2016 and now is an independent director on a number of boards.
2011
Liz Hirst, director of Ngai Tahu Tourism, has won the Canterbury Branch of the Institute of Directors’ 2011 Aspiring Director Award.
Selected from a strong group of applicants, Liz receives $1,500 towards an Institute of Directors (IoD) development course, a year’s complimentary membership of the IoD, attendance at four branch events and mentoring with an experienced director. Liz has a background in health, education and community development within Iwi/urban Maori and wider communities of interest. She is currently completing her MBA full time, having studied a wide range of business topics in the eighteen MBA papers she has completed to date. Read more
2010 – Karl Varley, Christchurch
2009 – Madeleine Hawkesbury-Browne, Christchurch
2008 – Louise Edwards, Christchurch
2007 – Anthony Leighs, Christchurch
2006 – Lynn McClelland, Christchurch
2005 – Kevin Eder, Christchurch
2004 – Wendy Smith, Timaru
2003 – Dion Paul, Nelson
2002 – Gillian Heald, Christchurch
2001 – Paul Bingham, Christchurch
2000 – Lynn Anderson, Christchurch
1999 – Brendon Quinn, Christchurch