Build your governance capability

Workshop

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Speaker(s): Alan Isaac, Anne Urlwin, Helen Anderson, Robin Hapi
Date: 4:00pm — 7:00pm, 14 May 2026
Venue: BDO Wellington
Location: Level 1, Chartered Accountants House, 50 Customhouse Quay
Price: $90.00 incl GST

Overview

This interactive workshop is designed to build governance capability and support the development of a pipeline of talent for governance roles across both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

Working in small groups, attendees will be exposed to real-life governance scenarios and discussions, alongside experienced directors, to help build confidence in serving on, or working with, boards.

What sets this session apart is the limited number of participants and the opportunity for direct engagement with senior directors.

Facilitators Alan Isaac DFInstD, Helen Anderson CFInstD, Robin Hapi DFInstD and Anne Urlwin CFInstD will rotate between groups, each championing one of the IoD’s Four Pillars of Governance Best Practice.

Each facilitator will lead a focused discussion using guided questions, before sharing insights and feedback with the wider group at the conclusion of the workshop.

While brief, the session is structured to ensure participants benefit from the diverse knowledge, skills and experience around the table.

Alan Isaac

DFInstD

Alan is distinguished director, holding governance roles with a wide variety of New Zealand commercial, sporting and not for profit organisations.

He served as President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2012 to 2014, the first New Zealander to hold the position. Prior to the ICC, he was on the board of New Zealand Cricket for 18 years and served as its Chair from 2008 to 2010. He was the Chair of KPMG for 10 years (1996-2006) and President of the Institute of Directors’ National Council (2019-2021).

He currently chairs the New Zealand Community Trust and is a director on the board of Selacs Insurance Ltd. He is also a director on the boards and chairs the Audit & Risk committees of Oceania Healthcare Ltd, Skellerup Holdings Ltd, Scales Corp Ltd/SCL Ltd and the Wellington Free Ambulance. Alan’s current community sporting roles include chair of the Basin Reserve Trust and serving as a trustee on both the Wellington Cricket Trust and the Wellington Cricket Foundation.

Alan is an IoD Distinguished Fellow and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2013 for services to business and cricket. In 2015, he received the distinguished alumni award from Victoria University of Wellington.

Anne Urlwin

CFInstD

Anne Urlwin is a Chartered Fellow of the IoD and a representative on the National Council. A professional director, Anne divides her time between Wanaka and Wellington.

Her governance experience is in a diverse range of sectors including infrastructure, energy, construction, health, telecommunications, regulation and financial services, and in different types of organisations including private, publicly listed, Crown and local authority companies and statutory entities.

She was awarded the ONZM in 2022 for services to business.

Anne is Chair of Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd and a director of Infratil Ltd, Ventia Services Group Ltd, Vector Ltd and City Rail Link Ltd. Previous governance roles include directorships of Summerset Group Holdings Ltd, Queenstown Airport Corporation Ltd, Tilt Renewables Ltd and Chorus Ltd. Anne previously served as the independent chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu’s Audit & Risk Committee, and she is also a former chair of national commercial construction group Naylor Love Enterprises Ltd and of the New Zealand Blood Service.

Helen Anderson

CFInstD

Helen is an experienced chair and director. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and has been a member of the National Council of the IoD and Chair of Wellington branch of the IoD (2014-2019).

Helen currently chairs Studio Pacific Architecture and is a member of the board of Hōhepa Wellington. Past boards include Scion, AntarcticaNZ, NIWA, DairyNZ, ClearPoint Ltd, WREDA, Massey University and BRANZ.

Since finishing her government role as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology Helen has chaired or been a member of seven Risk and Audit Committees for government departments. She has a PhD from Cambridge University.

Robin Hapi

DFInstD

Robin Hapi (Ngāti Kahungunu) is a prominent Māori leader and professional company director with an impressive record of significant governance roles with successful businesses. Robin received the Insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015 for services to Māori, the community and governance.
Robin is currently the Chair of Te Mana Whakahaere (Governing Council) of Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

Former Member of the Board of Kainga Ora and Chair of its Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.

Robin’s many governance roles have included directorships with Callaghan Innovation, Māori Economic Development Advisory Board, NZ Trade & Enterprise and Serco, to name a few.

Robin is an alumni of Hato Paora Māori Boys College, of which he says was a life changing moment that set him up for his future. He started his work career within Māori Affairs and become the CE of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission in 1994.

Robin is a strong advocate for Māori and is actively involved with voluntary social, cultural and environmental issues in his home town of Foxton. He was President of the Foxton Rugby Club, Chairman of the Foxton Save our River Trust and contributes to many other governance roles within his community.

Additional information

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.

Branch 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.