Sarah Haydon

Sarah is and has been a non-executive director of New Zealand companies since 2007. Currently the Chair of The Co-operative Bank Limited, her previous roles include Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee of Ports of Auckland Limited; Chair of Cavalier Corporation Limited; Chair of New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association Inc; Deputy Chair and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee of GNS Science; a Director of AsureQuality Limited; and Chair of the Audit Committee of Unitec.

Prior to her governance career, her most recent executive roles were with OfficeMax Australasia. Other companies where Sarah has worked include BP (British Petroleum) plc both in the UK and on international project work and with TVNZ following her emigration to NZ in 1998. She has an extensive background in planning, finance, general management, organisational development and corporate acquisition/divestment.

Sarah has led very large teams of people and is passionate about learning and helping others to do so. She has facilitated executive courses through most of her career, and governance courses since 2012. Sarah has also facilitated numerous board effectiveness reviews. She believes directors require continuous learning and development to meet the broad range of constantly changing governance requirements.

Outside of work, Sarah’s happy place is her large native garden, both developing it and trying to eliminate invasive plant pests, with a long term aim to tip the balance of effort towards the former.