IoD recognises 13 new Distinguished Fellows

The Institute of Directors’ Distinguished Fellow recognition acknowledges the prominent and distinguished careers of directors who have contributed positively to business and society in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Launched in 1999, the Distinguished Fellow status is the highest accolade awarded by the IoD. Individuals are nominated by their regional branch committees with final approval by IoD’s National Council.

This September, recipients have been selected from around the country: three from Auckland, one individual per region from the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Otago Southland, three from Wellington and four from Canterbury.

Awardees have come from backgrounds as diverse as security, dairy, finance, transport, policy, sport and education, health, telecommunications, and law, and have experience across public and private sectors, not-for-profits and more.

CEO Kirsten Patterson says it is an honour to be part of an organisation that continues to recognise and reward excellence in the field of governance as part of its tradition.

“We know that governance is not for the faint-hearted. Those nominated for this prestigious title are more-often-than-not trailblazers and change makers in their chosen fields.”

Patterson says the award is also important because those selected epitomise governance as service, and illustrate a huge commitment to positive outcomes for the boards and community groups they serve.

National Council President, Jackie Lloyd, says this year saw a record number of Distinguished Fellow nominations from branch committees.

“Our Fellows have made outstanding governance contributions in a wide range of very diverse organisations - influencing businesses, communities and society right across the motu.

The Institute of Directors would like to congratulate the following members who have been made Distinguished Fellows (DistFInstD):

Waikato 

Bruce Sheridan

Auckland

Rodger Fisher

David Jackson

Gavin Walker ONZM 

Bay of Plenty

Adrienne Fay von Tunzelmann  QSO

Wellington

Alan Isaac CNZM

Rick Christie 

Robin Michael Hapi CNZM 

Canterbury

Bruce Ullrich OBE

Dr David William Kerr CNZM 

Susan Jane Sheldon CNZM 

Brian Patrick Kreft

Otago Southland

Geoffrey Thomas 

Dates for awards presentations will be announced in the coming weeks.