How to Develop your Governance Career: Ask Me Anything Series
Our experienced panel share their stories and give advice on what helped them develop their governance careers.
Overview
How to develop your governance career: “Ask Me Anything” series, chaired by Jeff Grant and features two experienced governors, who will share their personal journeys and lessons learned in a relaxed panel discussion.
This session includes contributions from senior director Giselle McLachlan, and local director Simon Hopcroft, offering a unique perspective on starting and advancing in the governance field. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or exploring new opportunities, this event will provide valuable insights into governance.
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Panel Members
- Jeff Grant, MInstD.
Jeff has been in governance roles fulltime for 24 years with previous roles including a Director for SBS Bank, Finance Now, PF2050, Southern Institute of Technology and Chairman of Mt Linton Station, OSPRI Ltd, AgResearch and Milford Sound Tourism. In July 2018, Jeff was seconded to the New Zealand meat industry for two years and was based at NZ House in London to oversee Brexit EU28 and UK Free Trade Agreement process on behalf of NZ Red Meat Industry. For eight years until 2018, Jeff was the Independent Chair of Southland Shared Services. Jeff is an External Appointee at Invercargill City Council responsible for guiding the organisation through its response to a recent Government Review. He holds directorships at Lakeland Wanaka, Great South and Thriving Southland and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
. - Giselle McLachlan, CFInstD.
Giselle is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors (IoD), an experienced company director, chair, CEO and previously a lawyer for over 30 years. Her roles have been varied – from the agricultural sector through to being a partner in a law firm as well as General Counsel for New Zealand’s largest insurance company. She has held many board roles, notably serving as a director for four years on the Earthquake Commission (including its audit committee), the H&J Smith Group and the Medical Council where she also chaired the audit committee. Giselle is currently the chair of an international agri-tech consulting business AbacusBio Limited and sits on a project governance board. Living in Central Otago, Giselle has recently completed a Cambridge University Sustainable Business Management course which strengthened her desire to help businesses towards a more purposeful, sustainable and resilient future and believes governance brings long term strategic thinking and new ways of doing things – great governance is the enabler that will lead to a stronger New Zealand. She is passionate about growing healthy food and healthy businesses too.
. - Simon Hopcroft, MInstD.
Simon runs a dairy farming operation in Southland, is a former Fonterra Cooperative Councillor and was winner of the 2004 Young Farmer of the Year contest. Simon has completed various governance and leadership courses including Fonterra’s ‘Governance Development Programme’ and Farmlands ‘To the Core’ programme. He has also been a trustee on the Southland Rural Support Trust for the past six years. Through Simon’s farming experience, he understands the current risks and challenges facing many businesses and rural communities.
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Our thanks to The Institute of Directors (IoD) for collaborating to offer Southland businesses the opportunity to attend this event.
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Investment
- Institute of Directors (IoD) – Complimentary
- Southland Business Chamber members to use BE25DSCDGC3 when registering – Complimentary
- Guests – $25
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