Panel Discussion
Limited spaces available
2
CPD
Hear from risk experts and experienced directors on navigating uncertainty through good boardroom practice.
Marsh called it. Geopolitics and global trade is the first cab off the rank in its report Navigating Global Risks in the Pacific 2026.
The other three risks identified in the top four are equally challenging for boards: digital transformation, climate and sustainability, and trust and capability in the workforce.
Join us for a panel discussion featuring Mercer New Zealand CEO Anna Scott, Marsh Managing Director Alison Bamford and independent Director Mary-Jane Daly. This conversation will be facilitated by IoD Auckland Branch Chair Gráinne Troute and our panel will speak candidly about risk assessment and offer practical approaches to navigating uncertainty through good boardroom practice.
Informed by the global reach of Marsh, this session will explore how directors can embed people risks in enterprise risk frameworks, develop measurable board KPIs and assurance for succession and culture, and treat workforce governance (including AI and data) as core to strategic resilience.
Managing these risks is a core board responsibility that will require awareness of current events, expert input and good sense.
As the report notes: “For organisations across the Pacific, these risks are not abstract global forces, they are reshaping supply chains, investment decisions, workforce strategy, insurance markets and business priorities in real time.”
Spaces are limited. If this event is fully booked, please contact auckland.branch@iod.org.nz to be placed on the waiting list.
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As Chief Executive Officer, Anna Scott leads Mercer’s operations across New Zealand, championing the development of innovative solutions and services in investments, retirement savings, workforce, and health and benefits. She is passionate about working closely with local and regional teams to deliver tailored strategies that support the financial wellbeing of our clients and members.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience in financial services both in Aotearoa and internationally, Anna is recognised for her ability to identify actionable solutions that support growth and enhance the quality and resilience of workforce and retirement outcomes for clients.
Prior to joining Mercer in 2025, she held CEO and COO roles at New Zealand investment fund management firms, where she drove strategic growth, enhanced brand presence, and improved operational performance.
Anna’s extensive leadership background also includes an Executive Director role at J.P. Morgan, where she managed global operations and strategy for the Global Currency & Commodities Group. She is also a Director of the non-profit Financial Services Council of New Zealand.
Committed to fostering community and industry development, Anna chairs the Sea Wolf Water Polo Club and is an active member of Global Women, a network of New Zealand’s most influential women leaders advocating for inclusion and diversity.
Anna is based in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.
As leader of Mercer Marsh Benefits within Marsh, Alison oversees the leadership, strategy and operations of the Mercer and Marsh collaborative people risk business for New Zealand. Alison also sits on the Mercer and Marsh Executive committees, is part of the Mercer Marsh Benefits global network and was the inaugural Chair of the Marsh Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Throughout her 20+ year career she has worked with clients to address workforce health and financial issues by providing insurance, people risk advisory solutions, occupational health and rehabilitation, and helping clients take a strategic people-risk-management approach across the lifecycle of people-risk issues.
Alison has been with Marsh since 2014, first as Employee health and benefits leader and then as Managing Director, for the Mercer Marsh Benefits New Zealand business. Prior to this she has experience working in a number of national sales and leadership roles such as Southern Cross Health Society.
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Mary-Jane (“MJ”) is Chair of AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, Chair of the Fonterra Shareholders Fund, Chair of Partners Life and an Independent Director of Kiwibank Limited. She is also a member of the MBIE Risk and Advisory Committee. She has served on the boards of Kiwi Property, Auckland Transport, Toka Tu Ake EQC, Cigna Life Insurance, Airways Corporation of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Green Building Council.
In her executive career, MJ worked mainly in banking and insurance in a variety of roles both in New Zealand and the UK. Her last executive role was as Executive General Manager at State Insurance. Prior to this appointment, she was Chief Financial Officer for IAG in NZ.
When not in Auckland, MJ enjoys spending time in Wanaka and making the most of all the outdoor activities on her doorstep there.
Gráinne is the IoD’s Auckland Branch Chair and sits on IoD Council. She is currently a director of NZX-listed companies Tourism Holdings, Summerset Group and Investore Property Ltd and is an independent board member of the legal firm Duncan Cotterill and the New Zealand Automobile Association. She is also an appointed member of the NZX’s Corporate Governance Institute. In the not-for-profit sector, she has chaired Tourism Industry Aotearoa (during which time she also co-chaired the government’s Tourism Industry Transformation Plan) and Ronald McDonald House Charities. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Prior to her governance career, Grainne had many years’ experience in senior executive roles, including as General Manager of Corporate Services at SKYCITY Entertainment Group and as Managing Director of McDonald’s Restaurants NZ.
Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.
By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.
Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.
George Gabriel
Auckland Branch Executive
0800 846 369
George.Gabriel@iod.org.nz
The Auckland branch acknowledges the generous support of
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Members — $0.00
Non-members — $75.00
