Governance Bites

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Nick Summerfield is Partner and Head of Banking, Financial Services and Insolvency at Anthony Harper. Nick advises on all areas of financial services law including investment funds, insurance, capital markets, financial advice, and financial service provider regulation. He also supports clients with regulatory reform and dealings with regulators.
Mark Banicevich asks Nick about the adviser duty to act in good faith and in the best interests of the company. They discuss liability of directors, and whether a director can rely on the skill and experience of other directors on the board. Mark also asks Nick what advice he would give to a new director.
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David Whyte, known in the NZ financial services industry as The Laird, is a very experienced financial services company director. Prior to his governance career, he was Managing Director of AIA Australia. David has experience on boards of large and small companies, as well as not-for-profits. Within his portfolio of governace roles, David is Chair of Strategi Group and Kiwi Adviser Network, Deputy Chair of Foundation North (NZ's largest philanthropic trust), and on the board of Provident Insurance. Until recently, he was also Chair of Lifetime Group. 
Mark Banicevich asks David about differences in governance between large and small companies. They discuss misconceptions about governance, particularly by directors of small companies. David also shares some excellent advice he's received over the years.
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Mel Hewitson is a professional director, and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She holds a portfolio of independent director roles, including Fidelity Life, Southern Cross Health Insurance, Simplicity, the Domain Name Commission and Whai Maia (a company owned by Ngati Whatua Orakei). She is also a trustee of Foundation North (New Zealand's largest philanthropic organisation, and Australasia's second largest), and the Housing Foundation. 
Mark Banicevich asks Mel about succession planning for directors. They discuss board tenure, and how to manage director succession planning, including skills matrices, and recruitment. Mel also has some great tips for new directors, and gives her view of optimum board size.
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David Boyle is one of the best-known personalities in financial services in New Zealand. He is an experienced executive who is passionate about financial literacy in New Zealand consumers, particularly investment literacy. He is also passionate about music, which led him to his first governance roles. He now has governance experience in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, and experience as a chair. 
Mark Banicevich asks David about managing risk, particularly in the not-for-profit sector. David and Mark also discuss the value of diversity on the board (and what diversity is), and the importance of succession planning. David also has sensible advice for new directors.
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Melanie Purdey is an experienced CEO with extensive experience across the financial services industry. She is presently Head of Governance at Compliance Refinery, and (among other things) helps principals of financial advice businesses understand good business governance through training, sitting on advisory boards, and compliance reviews. 
Mark Banicevich asks Melanie about governance for small businesses, including why it is important, and how it differs from corporate governance. They discuss training and director obligations, and talk about the value of seeking independent feedback, particularly for businesses with a sole owner/director.
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Don Allerston is an experienced executive manager with a strong background in life insurance from New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He is particularly focused on the customer experience, marketing and strategy.
Mark Banicevich asks Don about the tension between governance and innovation - particularly the need for businesses to innovate to remain relevant, while boards of directors are incentivised to be conservative (particularly through their legal liabilty). Mark and Don discuss incrementalism versus innovation, short-term versus long-term thinking, and many other areas related to innovation and governance.
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Kendall Flutey is founder and Co-Chief Executive of the amazing social purpose business Banqer (banqer.co), which teaches financial literacy by running classrooms as virtual economies. Kendall was Young New Zealander of the Year in 2019, and she now sits on boards including the Financial Markets Authority and the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman. 
Mark Banicevich asks Kendall about her experiences being inducted onto Boards of Directors, and some of the things she's learned during her journey. He asks about advice she's received, and lessons she's learned from being a Chief Executive and a Director simultaneously. Mark and Kendall also discuss governance and the role of the board compared to the role of the CEO, not-for-profit and for-profit governance, and governance overseas.
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Richard Klipin is the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Council in New Zealand, a not-for-profit organisation with over 100 members, including banks, life and health insurers, fund managers, and law and accounting firms. He has over 15 years experience as a Chief Executive Officer, governance experience on or chairing boards for sports organisations and schools, and experience as an executive in the corporate world.  
Mark Banicevich asks Richard about how a not-for-profit organisation with few staff paid staff can deliver large volumes of product and services, and how he ensures that all of the work done aligns with the organisation's strategy and objectives. Mark also asks about governance generally, how it differs between for-profit and not-for-profit entities, how it differs overseas, and the best advice he's heard or received about executive leadership or governance.
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Scott Duncan is Managing Director at Aspire Executive Search, a boutique executive search firm that helps organisations appoint exceptional leaders. Scott helps organisations find and engage Chief Executives, C-suite executives, and directors. 
Mark Banicevich asks Scott about the role of the Chief Executive, and what he looks for when he seeks one for an entity. He asks what skills and experience a CEO should have, and asks the same about directors, and board chairs. He also asks about governance generally, how it differs between for-profit and not-for-profit entities, and the best advice he's heard or received about executive leadership or governance.
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Adam Hunt is an experienced executive and director, with experience in both the public and private sectors. He has held executive positions at the NZ Inland Revenue Department and Financial Markets Authority. Presently he contracts to the International Monetary Fund advising countries on their tax policy. He also sits on or chairs various Boards of Directors. 
Mark Banicevich asks Adam about governance, board structures, and cultural differences, and they discuss the value of diversity in boards and teams. Adam draws from his extensive experience to give answers well informed across multiple countries and cultures.
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