Chairing for change: governance, transformation and IT in tight times

Overview

Legacy IT systems are often deeply embedded in Crown company operations — but in today’s fast-moving digital landscape, they can also be a major constraint. Replacing them is no small task. Boards must balance the urgency of transformation with fiscal discipline, complex stakeholder environments and public accountability. 

Join Naomi Ferguson QSO, former Commissioner of Inland Revenue, as she shares insights on leading successful transformation in large public sector organisations. Naomi led Inland Revenue from 2012 to 2022, overseeing the multi-year Business Transformation Programme — one of New Zealand’s most significant and complex digital change initiatives. 

Now Chair of Education Payroll Ltd, Naomi brings deep experience in governance, strategic reform, and leading change across tax, health, and social sectors in both New Zealand and the UK. She is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, and was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order in 2022 for services to the public service. 

This session will explore how boards — and board chairs in particular — can govern transformational change under constraint, drawing on themes from the IoD’s Top 5 issues for directors in 2025. Expect discussion on building digital capability, overseeing risk in legacy system transitions, and strengthening public trust through sound governance. 

Naomi Ferguson

 MInstD 
 
Naomi Ferguson has more than 30 years senior leadership experience in the public sector in New Zealand and the UK.  She successfully led Inland Revenue between 2012 and 2022, leading the delivery of the highly complex Business Transformation Programme during her tenure.  She is widely recognised as an effective leader of significant change programmes in large and complex organisations. 
 
Naomi currently chairs the board of Education Payroll Ltd and is also on the board of Kapiti Living Without Violence.  She previously served on the board of Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, was a Trustee of Diversity Works New Zealand and a member of the Ministry of Justice Risk and Assurance Committee.  Her previous governance experience includes roles in the UK and New Zealand ranging across Tax Administration, Health and Social Welfare sectors in the public sector, and international forums such as the OECD.   
 
Naomi is passionate about diversity and inclusion and was the co-chair of Papa Pounamu and founding sponsor of the Government Women’s Network. She was awarded the Women of Influence Public Policy award in 2016 in recognition of her work in this area. 
 
Naomi has a Master of Arts from Glasgow University. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors. In the 2022 Jubilee Honours list, she was appointed as a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to the public service. 

Additional information

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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.

Contact

Jill Dawson
Wellington Branch Manager

+64 27 278 8814
+64 4 470 2673
jill.dawson@iod.org.nz

Our sponsors

The Wellington branch acknowledges the generous support of

The East Coast region also thank

The Manawatu region also thank