When high performance isn't enough: Governing CEO conduct

Presentation

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Speaker(s): Herman Visagie
Date: 5:00pm — 7:00pm, 27 July 2026
Venue: The George
Location: 50 Park Terrace, Christchurch Central City
Price: $40.00 incl GST

Overview

One of the board's most important responsibilities is overseeing the CEO. While performance management is a well-established part of the role, governing CEO conduct can be far more complex.

How should boards respond when concerns arise about the behaviour of a CEO? What responsibilities do directors and chairs have when conduct issues create risks to organisational culture, reputation, stakeholder trust, or long-term performance?

Recent high-profile examples have highlighted the challenges boards face in balancing executive performance with accountability. Yet many boards struggle to address conduct concerns early, often because the issues are uncomfortable, sensitive, or involve a highly successful leader.

Join Herman Visagie MInstD, General Manager of the IoD’s Governance Leadership Centre, for a thought-provoking discussion on one of governance's most challenging issues. Drawing on his extensive experience as a governance adviser, company secretary, executive leader and director, Herman will explore:

Why CEO conduct is a governance issue, not simply a management issue
How conduct influences organisational culture, reputation and organisational performance
Practical approaches for identifying and addressing concerns before they escalate
What this may mean for directors when these issues are, or are not, addressed

Fireside chats are small group events where questions and discussion are actively encouraged. Given the potentially sensitive nature of the topics discussed, the Chatham House Rule will apply.  Numbers are strictly limited.

Fully Booked
If this event is fully booked on the website, please contact Canterbury.Branch@iod.org.nz to be placed on the waiting list.

Herman Visagie

MInstD

Herman Visagie is an experienced executive level General Counsel, Company Secretary, and seasoned governor. He is passionate about the power of good governance and effective relationships between boards and management teams to help organisations achieve their desired outcomes more effectively.    

Herman is currently General Manager, Governance Leadership Centre at the Institute of Directors. His previous roles have included Chief Executive Officer of Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Limited, and executive roles at the Real Estate Authority and TSB. He has held board roles in the not- for-profit and regulatory sectors and has led a number of consultant engagements around governance improvement, including reviews of governance documentation, operations, and board reporting. He also provides training and education to senior leaders around effective board engagement. 

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