IoD recognises six new Distinguished Fellows
The Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Distinguished Fellowship is IoD’s highest accolade, awarded to directors who have made a significant contribution to business and society in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This month, recipients have been selected from the Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Otago Southland, Waikato and Wellington branches, and have come from backgrounds spanning sport, agriculture, infrastructure, education, and health. The recipients are:
Dr Beverley Edlin (Bay of Plenty branch) is a former Tauranga City councillor and governance consultant with extensive experience across community and sporting organisations.
Dr John Gallagher, KStJ, JP (Waikato branch) has a background in technology, and extensive governance experience across the commercial, public, agricultural, and education sectors.
Sam Robinson (Wellington branch) is a respected Hawke’s Bay-based independent director with extensive experience in agribusiness.
Brian Wood (Canterbury branch) is an experienced professional director and an infrastructure specialist. He has served on a range of local government, listed and privately owned companies as a director and chair.
Jane Huria, CNZM, LLB (Canterbury branch) has been involved in governance for three decades, involved in diverse boards across Crown, iwi, commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Additionally, she is a facilitator of IoD’s Essentials governance courses.
Dr Jenny McMahon, ONZM, MBE, FNM (Otago Southland branch) is a highly respected director, health practitioner and researcher, and former president of the New Zealand Red Cross society.
CEO Kirsten Patterson says it is important to recognise individuals who continue to make a significant contribution to the governance landscape, especially in an environment with increasing challenges for boards.
“Rewarding excellence is part of our tradition, and it is important that the efforts of our director community are not overlooked. These awards are not handed out lightly – it is a significant commitment to sit on a board, and a great honour to recognise these achievements,” Patterson said.
About the award: Launched in 1999, the Distinguished Fellow title is the highest accolade awarded by the IoD – individuals are nominated by their regional branch committees with final approval by IoD’s National Council.