Webcast
1
CPD
Join us for a director-focused geopolitical briefing with Vangelis Vitalis as he provides perspectives on trading in a more uncertain and contested global environment.
Global disruption is no longer a background risk for boards. Trade rules are fragmenting, geopolitical tensions are reshaping market access, and climate-linked standards are increasingly influencing supply chains, disclosure expectations and long-term resilience.
The IoD’s Geopolitical climate: Boardroom briefings is a four-part webinar series designed to help directors govern with confidence in this changing environment. Each quarterly session in 2026 brings a different expert perspective on the forces shaping New Zealand organisations, translating global developments into the strategic questions boards should be asking.
In this second briefing, Vangelis Vitalis, Deputy Secretary, Trade and Economic, and New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator for the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement, will provide a director-focused perspective on trading in a more uncertain and contested global environment. Drawing on deep experience leading major trade negotiations and advancing New Zealand’s trade strategy, Vangelis will explore how boards can navigate a less predictable rules-based system, strengthen trading relationships, and maximise value from existing agreements while diversifying risk.
Directors will gain practical insights into how shifts in trade policy, geopolitical dynamics and climate-related standards are influencing market access, competitiveness and long-term value — and what this means for board-level decision-making now.
Vangelis Vitalis is Deputy Secretary, Trade and Economic, and New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator for the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement. He led negotiations for major FTAs including the NZ–EU FTA, CPTPP, AANZFTA and the Malaysia–NZ FTA and contributed to the NZ–China FTA and the P4 Agreement. Vangelis chaired APEC Senior Officials in 2021, overseeing the APEC Aotearoa Plan of Action, and chaired CPTPP Senior Officials in 2023 during the UK’s accession and the development of the Auckland Principles. Previously, New Zealand’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, he chaired agriculture negotiations and helped draft the Nairobi Ministerial Decision. He has also served as Ambassador to the EU and NATO, with postings in Canberra and Moscow. Vangelis played a key role in advancing New Zealand’s plurilateral trade strategy, including DEPA, ACCTS and Indigenous trade initiatives. He speaks Greek, German and Russian, enjoys land‑based fishing, and is a long‑suffering Wellington Phoenix supporter.
CMInstD
Judene is a Principal Governance Adviser with the Institute of Directors’ Governance Leadership Centre and Chapter Zero NZ lead providing best practice advice, guidance and advocacy for directors. She is also chair of the Nelson Historic Theatre Trust, deputy chair of the Rātā Foundation, and a trustee for the Network Tasman Trust.
Prior to joining the IoD she ran her own consultancy for over 20 years, specialising in governance, policy, strategy and communications working across a wide range of sectors, including housing, health, solid waste, aviation, energy, not-for-profit and infrastructure.
Judene was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance, local government and the community in the 2026 New Year Honours. She was a local government elected member for 12 years and a director on a range of private and public entity boards. She has a background in behavioural science and communications and is a Chartered Member of the IoD.
Amy McNicol
National Sponsorship and Events Manager
+64 27 265 5834
Amy.McNicol@iod.org.nz
