Not-for-profit governance series: Chair observations

Overview

In this panel conversation, we’ll ask our directors to share their chair experiences, challenges they’ve faced as a chair, what they wish they’d known before becoming a chair and top tips & advice and how it can be applied particularly for NFP chairs. We’re joined by panelists:

Bridget Coates
Michael Stiassny
Craig Stobo

Bridget Coates, CMInstD

Bridget Coates is Chair of Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance, Chair of Fonterra’s Sustainability Advisory Panel to the Board and Chair of Koi Tu (a think tank, based at the University of Auckland). She is also Chairperson of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, Director of Yealands Wine Group, Director of Northern Rescue Helicopter Ltd. and Director and Trustee of Mindful Money, a charity with a focus on encouraging responsible investment.

She has been a Governor of the NZ Superannuation Fund and a Director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Bridget has also been a Director of public companies, Sky City Limited and Fisher & Paykel Appliances Holdings Limited, and a Director of Tegel Group Holdings Ltd. She was formerly CEO of Carter Holt Harvey Plastic Products and Director of Research for CS First Boston NZ Ltd as well as being a Member of the University of Auckland Council.

She holds degrees in arts, economics and finance from the University of Auckland and also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst qualification: she is a Chartered Member of New Zealand Institute of Directors.

Michael Stiassny, CFInstD

Michael has over 40 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant, specialising in strategic advice, insolvency, and turnaround activities.

He is currently Chair of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited and Tower Limited, and a director of a number of other companies.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (retired), a life member of RITANZ, a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a past President of the Institute.

Craig Stobo, CFInstD

Craig Stobo was educated in New Zealand at Waitaki Boys High School (Milner Prize); Otago University (BA Hons First Class in Economics); and at Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania (Advanced Management Programme).

He has worked as a diplomat for the NZ and Australian Governments; as an economist for DFC/Zealcorp; as economist and an interest rates products manager for Bankers Trust NZ; and also as CEO and Executive Vice President for BT Funds Management NZ Ltd until 2004 after leading its establishment in 1992.

These currently include chairing the NZX –listed company Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd (including its corporatisation in 2010 and management internalisation in 2021); chairing the Local Government Funding Agency since its inception in 2011; and chairing AIG Insurance New Zealand Ltd since its licensing as a general insurer in 2012. He has also chaired transport and logistics company Fliway Group Ltd leading up to and during its IPO on the NZX and until its delisting in January 2018.

He chairs global equity investor Elevation Capital Management; national investment advisory firm Saturn Portfolio Management; oyster farmer and exporter Biomarine Ltd; and specialist Bannockburn grape grower Legend Terrace; and is a director of fund administrator Appello Services Ltd.

Jackie Lloyd, CFInstD

Jackie Lloyd BA, BCom, CFInstD is a Chartered Fellow of the IoD, Wellington Branch committee chair, Vice President of the National Council and chairs the IoD Human Resource and Health & Safety committee. Having a life-long interest in the relationship between human behaviour and business performance led Jackie through an executive career as the global human resources director for the New Zealand Dairy Board and NZMP Fonterra, to consulting and governance. She is currently a director of Kiwi Group Holdings Limited, AgResearch and Naylor Love Enterprises Ltd and a board member of New Zealand Cricket and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Jackie is also a trustee of the Lion Foundation.

Jackie holds Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from Otago University, is a graduate from the University of Virginia Executive Development Programme and a member of Global Women.