Getting on board Water Services CCOs – Why it matters and what good looks like

Overview

Effective governance in a highly regulated environment demands more than compliance—it requires active engagement, strategic foresight. In this 60-minute webinar, you’ll hear firsthand from those involved in high profile CCOs and those that have undergone significant transformations about the personal and professional dedication that will be needed to excel on water-services boards, including strategies for meaningful stakeholder management, long-term infrastructure planning amid short-term pressures and governing in a strongly regulated environment. Guided by experienced sector leaders and the IoD Governance Leadership Centre, you’ll have the chance to pose live questions and walk away with a view about the benefits as a director of being on water services organisation board and what it will take to succeed. 

Peter Winder

MInstD 

Director of consulting firm McGredy Winder & Co., Peter is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading authorities on local government. Peter was one of the Commissioners appointed to govern the Kaipara District Council when it got into difficulty, was the Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Council for six years prior to the amalgamation of the Auckland local authorities in 2010, and was the Chief Executive of Local Government New Zealand prior to that. Peter has previously chaired the boards of the Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec, was a member of the Council of Te Pūkenga and then Chief Executive until December 2023.

Peter is currently working as the Programme Director supporting the establishment of IAWAI – Flowing Waters Ltd – the joint Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council water organisation.

Julian Smith

CMInstD

Julian retired from his executive career in 2019 as the Chief Customer Officer for Meridian Energy where he was responsible for $1.2b in revenue and a team of 400.

His executive career saw him hold a number of senior executive roles in the utilities, internet/digital, financial services, telecommunications sectors as well as central government. 

Julian is an independent director for Watercare Services in Auckland and is a board trustee for The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and for the Look Good Feel Better cancer charity. He also sits on the advisory board for Vadacom, a New Zealand-based software developer and telco.

A strategy and customer experience expert with extensive marketing and corporate affairs credentials, Julian is an adept communications and digital services expert and has worked in international markets across Asia, Australasia, the Middle East and the UK.

Julian is especially interested in emerging governance trends and development around climate change, Te Mana o te Wai, Agile governance, complex business transformation and capital project oversight. 

Mair Brooks

Mair is an experienced Transformation Partner with 25 years of global experience working with local central governments and water utilities across New Zealand, Australia and the UK. 

She is the KPMG ASPAC Cities Leader, the New Zealand KPMG Local Government Leader. Over the last five years since her return to New Zealand, Mair has been collaborating with numerous entities across the country, tackling the challenges of water reform.

Guy Beatson (facilitator)

CMInstD

Guy is an experienced leader with governance and leadership expertise across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors in New Zealand and internationally. As General Manager of the Governance Leadership Centre and Registrar, he leads the organisation’s research, advocacy, policy agenda, and governance support for directors and boards. 

Guy also serves as Chair of Youthline Wellington, Trustee and Board member of Youthline Auckland, Chair of the Youthline National Helpline National Chairs Forum, and Trustee of Youth Search and Rescue. His previous senior roles include Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy and Organisation Performance at Te Puni Kōkiri, and Deputy Secretary Natural Resources Policy at the Ministry for the Environment.  He has also supported senior executives in a diverse range of consulting assignments. 

 

Additional information

Event cancellation policy

Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any event.  See our standard terms and conditions for more information.

Contact

Gemma Fellowes
National Projects & Events Executive
+64 9 365 2736
Gemma.Fellowes@iod.org.nz