YDN: Navigating governance reforms - what young aspiring directors need to know

Panel Discussion

Speaker(s): Rob Campbell, Guy Beatson, Amy Cavanaugh
Date: 5:30pm — 7:30pm, 29 May 2025
Venue: Marsh Auckland
Location: Level 11, PwC Tower, 15 Customs Street West
Price members: $40.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $45.00 incl GST

Overview

With governance reform firmly in the spotlight for 2025, directors across Aotearoa are preparing for legislative changes that will reshape directors’ duties, accountability, and transparency. For young and aspiring directors, understanding these changes is essential to stepping into governance roles with confidence - and to adding value at the board table from day one.

This interactive session brings together leading governance voices – Rob Campbell CNZM CFInstD, and Guy Beatson CMInstD, moderated by Amy Cavanaugh CMInstD – experienced directors who have navigated change, challenge and reform throughout their careers. Together, they will break down what these upcoming reforms mean in practice and offer real-world advice for emerging directors looking to future-proof their governance skills.

The panel will reflect on their own experiences stepping into governance roles, share lessons they wish they had known, and give their personal advice on how to prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. From building the right technical knowledge, to developing the resilience and confidence needed to speak up in a rapidly evolving governance environment, this is your chance to learn directly from some of the country’s most experienced board leaders.

All are welcome — whether you’re at the start of your governance journey, actively seeking your first board role, or an experienced director looking to support the next generation of governance leaders.

Rob Campbell

CFInstD

Rob is one of New Zealand’s leading professional directors, with more than 40 years’ experience in capital markets and as director and advisor to local and international businesses and organisations.

He is committed to seeing Aotearoa take a leadership role in the field of emissions lowering energy innovation and commercialisation, and is passionate about improving diversity and inclusion, promoting sustainability as a core value, and creating equality in the organisations he is involved with.

Trained as an economist and holding degrees of BA (Hons)(1st) and M.Phil. (Economics) Rob joined the union movement in the 1970s and became a member of the Federation of Labour and Labour Party executives.

Rob is the Chancellor of Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau (Auckland University of Technology), Chair of Ara Ake, Chair of NZ Rural Land Co, and Advisor to BBM.

He has served as the Chair of various private companies and public organisations including Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, SkyCity Entertainment Group Ltd, Summerset Group Ltd, Tourism Holdings Ltd, and WEL Networks Ltd.

In 2019, Rob was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors (CFinstD). He was recognised as a Distinguished Alumni of Victoria University (Te Herenga Waka) in 2019.

Guy Beatson

CMInstD

General Manager, Governance Leadership Centre

Guy is an experienced senior leader who has worked with public, private and not-for-profit entities in New Zealand, Fiji, Mongolia, Australia and the United States. His previous senior roles include Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy and Organisation Performance at Te Puni Kōkiri; Deputy Secretary Natural Resources Policy at Ministry for the Environment. Most recently, he ran his own freelance consultancy practice supporting public sector senior executives and their teams to deliver high quality decision-making, advice and policy implementation. In each of these roles, he engaged on a range of natural resource, environmental and other issues with iwi/hapū and other Māori interests.

Amy Cavanaugh

CMInstD

Amy Cavanaugh started her governance career five years ago when she was appointed Independent Director at a boutique investment fund. Having worked in financial services for over ten years and holding an executive position at insurance and finance companies, taking on a governance role was the next step up. She is now on the board for two Not-for-profit organisations and is Head of Transformation - Corporate Trustee Services at Public Trust.
 
With a career aspiration to lead New Zealand organisations to make a difference for businesses and communities in Aotearoa, Amy continues to work studiously to create opportunities for herself and others to be successful. 

Additional information

Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.

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Event cancellation policy

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.