Panel Discussion
2
CPD
Explore the skills and practices that define exceptional chairs, from leadership to navigating governance challenges.
While being the “first among equals” with other board members, a chair is not “the boss” – their role is one of influence, not authority. The role of the chair has never been more critical in shaping the success of boards and the organisations they serve.
With increasing complexity in governance, stakeholder expectations, and a rapidly changing national and global landscape, the chair must act as a steward, a governance, a strategic leader and a consensus-builder, fostering collaboration while driving effective decision-making.
This event delves into the evolving role of the chair, highlighting the unique qualities and practices that foster boardroom success. Gain insights on balancing influence with facilitation, managing board dynamics, leading in times of crisis, and building strong CEO-chair partnerships. Key topics include governance challenges, inclusive leadership, leading for the long-term and future-proofing boards through succession planning and mentorship.
Panellists Mark Verbiest, George Adams and MJ Daly will discuss actionable strategies to enhance your impact as a board leader. Whether you're an experienced chair or preparing for the role, this session is a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and elevate your governance expertise.
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Mark is an experienced company director, having served on the boards of several major companies and organisations. He has had significant involvement and experience in the energy and technology sectors, as well as capital markets.
Mark is currently Chair of Meridian Energy and Summerset Group Holdings Limited. He has previously been Chair of Spark New Zealand, Freightways Limited, Transpower New Zealand, and Willis Bond Capital, a director of ANZ NZ, a board member of the FMA, and a former member of the Advisory Board to New Zealand Treasury, among others. A lawyer by training and in practice for several years in the corporate advisory area, Mark was a member of the senior executive team of Telecom NZ, leading a number of corporate groups and two profit centres.
Mark was the Deloitte Top 200 Chairperson of the Year in 2022 and was awarded the NZ Shareholders Association Beacon Award for Corporate Governance in 2023.
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George is a Professional Director and business co-founder. He is keenly interested in export businesses that showcase the best of New Zealand products, such as Synlait, Bremworth, Apollo Foods and New Zealand Frost Fans. George enjoys operating in high growth environments where boards play an active role in business strategy. George is also a strong proponent of health and safety governance which allows people and businesses to thrive.
A finalist in the Deloitte Business Awards Chair of the Year 2024, he is currently Chairman of Synlait, Apollo Foods, New Zealand Frost Fans, Netlogix, Red Shield Security and Insightful Mobility and is a Director of Bremworth and Arborgen.
George Chaired the Independent Forestry Safety Inquiry in 2014 and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025 for his contribution to building safety leadership in New Zealand.
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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.
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Gráinne 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. She is an appointed member of the NZX’s Corporate Governance Institute and is a member of the Institute of Directors' Auckland Branch Committee. 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.
Becky Hare
Auckland Branch Manager
+64 27 642 1099
+64 9 905 4804
Becky.Hare@iod.org.nz
The Auckland branch acknowledges the generous support of
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Members — $75.00
Non-members — $105.00
