Governance in Crown entities and CCOs: Similarities, differences and lessons

Webinar

This is a member-only event. Please log in to register for this event. Not a member? Join the IoD

Speaker(s): Craig Stobo, Sue Sheldon, Mark Darrow, Judene Edgar
Date: 4:00pm — 5:00pm, 24 November 2025
Venue: Online
Location: Online
Price: $30.00 incl GST

Overview

Crown entities and council-controlled organisations (CCOs) share many governance challenges, but they also operate in distinct environments with unique accountabilities, pressures and stakeholder expectations. What can directors learn by comparing governance across these two spheres?

Join three highly experienced directors - Craig Stobo CFInstD, Mark Darrow FCA, CFInstD, and Sue Sheldon CNZM, DFInstD  - as they share their perspectives on the similarities and differences in governance practice between Crown entities and CCOs.

Craig Stobo  brings extensive governance experience across listed companies, financial services and government advisory roles, with current chairs including Precinct Properties, AIG Insurance and the Local Government Funding Agency.
Mark Darrow  chairs a range of organisations spanning aviation, finance and transport and brings deep governance expertise across both public and private boards, including Inland Revenue’s Risk & Assurance Committee and AUT Council.
Sue Sheldon has served at the forefront of industry change in telecommunications, energy, transport and finance, with governance roles spanning listed companies, Crown entities, local government and the not-for-profit sector. She is currently chair of Infrastructure Holdings Ltd (Nelson/Tasman).

The discussion will be moderated by Judene Edgar, an experienced director and community leader.

Together, the panel will explore how directors navigate governance in Crown entities and CCOs, what practices translate across both, and where key differences shape decision-making and accountability.

Mark Darrow  

B Bus, FCA, JP, CFInstD

Mark Darrow is an experienced independent Board Chair and Director with extensive knowledge across many sectors. 

Mark is currently Chair of Civil Aviation Authority, TSB Bank, Armstrong’s, MTF Finance, Eastside Holdings, and Riverton Farms. He is also Chair of Inland Revenue’s Risk & Assurance Committee, a member of the Auckland University of Technology Council and Chairs the Transport Establishment Advisory Group for TEC. 

Previous board roles have included NZTA Waka Kotahi, Auckland Transport, Counties Manukau DHB, Primary ITO, MITO The Lines Company, Leighs Construction, Balle Bros Group, Sime Darby NZ, Charlies Group, Trustees Executors, MTA and VTNZ, and he served on Eke Panuku’s Audit and Risk Committee.  

He is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Justice of the Peace of New Zealand. 

Sue Sheldon

CNZM , DFInstD

Professional director Sue Sheldon has been at the front of industry change in telecommunications and energy as a director of Meridian Energy and then Contact Energy and chair through the establishment of Chorus. She has been a longstanding director and chair of Freightways and a director of Telecom. In addition to her listed company roles, Sue has been a director of businesses across multiple sectors including Real NZ Group, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch International Airport and Ngai Tahu Holdings and chair of NZ Global Women, Paymark and the National Provident Fund. 

Sue has contributed to local government as independent chair of the Audit and Risk Committees of both Christchurch City and Auckland Councils and chair of Regenerate Christchurch, and in the not for profit sector as an independent director of Girl Guiding NZ and the Salvation Army. A longstanding involvement in the wool sector has included chairing Wool Industry Network as it attempted to change the structure of the industry. 
  
Sue is a Chartered Accountant; a life member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand; holds the 2021 CFO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Finance and Business, and was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 for services to business. 

Craig Stobo

CFInstD  

Prior to his time as a director, Craig Stobo worked as an economist and a diplomat. He was also CEO and Executive Vice President of BT Funds Management NZ until 2004.  

Now, Craig serves on a range of public and private company boards. He is currently chair of the Financial Markets Authority, Local Government Funding Agency and Founding Director of the Auckland Future Fund. He is also a director for Saturn Portfolio Management, Appello Services Ltd, oyster farmer and exporter Biomarine Ltd, and grape growers Legend Terrace. 

Craig’s previous directorships include chairing transport and logistics company Fliway Group Ltd and recruitment companies Bureau Ltd and OCG Ltd.  He is also a former chair of Precinct Properties, NZ Windfarms and AIG Insurance.

In addition to his governance roles, Craig lends his skills as a business advisor for both domestic and global clients. He has also served as an advisor for several government groups such as the New Zealand Treasury, the International Fund Services Development Group and the Establishment Board of the Local Government Risk Agency. 
 
Craig is an Associate Member of CFA Society New Zealand, an active member of the NZ Initiative and a Chartered Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors.

Judene Edgar

CMInstD  Judene Edgar is a Principal Governance Adviser with the Institute of Directors’ Governance Leadership Centre and Chapter Zero NZ lead, providing research and best practice advice, guidance and advocacy for directors. She is also a trustee of the Rātā Foundation and Network Tasman Trust, and Chair of the Nelson Historic Theatre 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.  

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. 

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.