Programme 5-6 May 2021
Challenge your thinking, discover new perspectives and surround yourself with governance leaders. We encourage you to check back regularly for programme updates.
7.30am- 9.00am
Registration
Registration and exhibitor lounge opens
9.00am
Conference opening
Mihi Whakatau, Ngāti Whātua Orakei
Welcome
Alan Isaac CFInstD, President of the Institute of Directors
9.30am
Revival: Rethink and redesign
Sir Peter Gluckman - 2020 was a rollercoaster of global uncertainty, economic challenges, innovations and opportunities. It also put a spotlight on the rise of societal and environmental challenges. Sir Peter Gluckman joins us to share his views on how we can build back in a more sustainable and resilient way for the better of all New Zealanders, he will also share his insights on the global recovery from involvement on the ISC COVID-19 Scenarios project.
10.20am
Fast Facts
We don’t know what we don’t know. These short-sharp sessions are designed to share the stats you need to know and get facts back in the boardroom.
A New New Zealand Emerges, Distinguished Professor Paul Spoonley
Our population patterns have been disrupted. More ageing boomers, fewer children, an ever bigger Auckland and stagnating/declining regions are the new normal. We will need new social and economic models, new ways of living and working. This fast fact session will discuss the demographic disruption that New Zealand is facing.
10.35am
Morning tea
11.05am
Navigating the EESG Cross-Currents: Sustainable Stakeholder Corporate Governance
Leo E. Strine Jr. and Karessa L. Cain - Leo and Karessa will join us via livestream from the US to discuss a practical approach to sustainable stakeholder corporate governance, exploring employee, environmental, social and governance considerations for directors.
11.50am
Fast Facts: What gets remembered and why it matters, Dr Corinne Seals
Despite what people often think, memory is very rarely as reliable as we would hope. There are also variables that affect what and who we are more likely to remember accurately. This talk draws upon Dr. Corinne Seals’ work in forensic linguistics to look at our biases in memory and what it means for the boardroom.
12.05pm
Fast Facts: Speaker and topic to be announced shortly.
12.20pm
Lunch
1.10pm
Breakout sessions
There are six sessions in total, with three held each day.
Breakout session 1: Diversity of thought: Could it be your board’s superpower?
Boards are rightly challenged to make the most complex decisions that their organisations will ever face. Decision-making groups that include different ways of thinking and an enabling culture are best placed to tackle this complexity. They can avoid unchallenged assumptions (“groupthink”) and demonstrate increased creativity - coming up with alternative approaches to opportunities and challenges. In this highly interactive session, you will learn how diversity of thought impacts group decision-making performance and what you can do to improve both the presence and realisation of diversity of thought on your board. Our facilitator, Lloyd Mander, will also introduce the findings of his current research into diversity of thought in New Zealand’s boards and executive teams. This session will be especially valuable for anyone whose board is facing complexity, is interested in board dynamics, or in board diversity. Panel : Lloyd Mander
Breakout session 2: Guidance for distressed companies
COVID-19 is continuing to have an adverse impact on the NZ economy, and though the vaccine has arrived on our shores there will be no immediate return to ‘normal’. The national lockdowns have had a significant impact on certain businesses’ trading and cashflow. In some instances, earnings have not yet returned and some businesses will be unlikely to recover. Directors will need to be mindful of the impact on the solvency of their business and carefully consider whether continuing to trade is in the best interests of the company and its creditors. Join this breakout session to discuss practical guidance for directors that are considering issues of solvency, and how acting earlier with some of the lighter actions may defer or lessen the requirements for more extreme measures further down the track. Panel : Matt Prichard, Leon Bowker, Pip Dunphy, Fiona Oliver
Breakout session 3: The governance war against cybercrime
The more you know about the threats your organisation faces, the less likely you are to fall victim to a cyber-attack. According to Aura Information Security’s latest market research, 36% of NZ businesses fell victim to cyber-attacks in 2020, with a further 20% saying they suffered a ransomware attack that caused serious disruption to their business. In this interactive session, we provide some insight into New Zealand’s current cyber threat landscape, we outline Directors’ responsibilities in creating a low risk environment, and we dive into the psychology of creating a culture of cyber resilience from the top down. Dr Frans Lategan is a respected security consultant who is called upon to provide expert advice and cyber incident response support to a wide range of New Zealand organisations. As someone who is fighting cyber-attacks on the frontline, he will join the session to provide unique insight the threats NZ organisations are facing, and what Directors should know about the Dark Web and the organised crime groups who are orchestrating widespread cyber-attacks. Richard Wells, Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, will provide a briefing on Director Duties in relation to cyber security, including an overview of the new legal requirements that have come into effect as a result of the recent changes to the Privacy Act. Hilary Walton, CISO at Kordia Group, Dr Helen Anderson, Independent Director, and Richard will join Peter Bailey, Aura, for a panel discussion to explore these themes further and discuss the importance of employees in an organisation’s overall security posture, and provide some practical for Directors navigating cyber governance. Panel : Peter Bailey, Hilary Walton, Dr Frans Lategan, Richard Wells, Dr Helen Anderson
2.20pm
Afternoon tea
2.50pm
Emerging Technologies for Company Directors: From the Carrot to the Stick.
Catherine Ball - Drone technology has shifted from fringe technology to business as usual over the past eight years. It is now a widely adopted technology, even in large, risk averse companies. How did the technology evolve to this point? And, how has health and safety law changed the risk appetite and innovation obligation in boardrooms across the region? Catherine Ball joins us to discuss where boards, leadership, and investors should look to find support and information to assist with making the best decisions around emerging and evolving technologies.
3.30pm
Fast Facts: The Future of Tourism, Professor Simon Milne
Has COVID-19 changed New Zealand tourism forever? Will a ‘reimagining’ of the tourism industry really enable the coming wave of international travellers to be managed in a more sustainable fashion? Or will the country simply head back down the well-trodden path to over-tourism? Professor Simon Milne addresses these pressing questions, exploring emerging tourism trends and examining their implications for the nation.
3.45pm
Deepfakes and synthetic media technologies: an emerging risk
Tom Barraclough and Curtis Barnes - Through new technologies and big data, it is easier, faster, and cheaper than ever to make it look like something happened when it never did. Faces, voices, bodies, landscapes, crowds and more can all be synthesised using artificial intelligence, with more technologies coming down the pipeline. Tom and Curtis from the Brainbox Institute will provide an overview of deepfakes and emerging synthetic media, including the opportunities, risks and some of the ESG (environmental, social and governance) implications for directors.
4.25pm
Fast Facts: Supply chain shake-up, David Pilkington CFInstD
COVID-19 demonstrated that strong and robust supply chains are crucial, the risk and exposure realised was much worse than what businesses had in their risk register. How do directors better prepare for future trends and disruptions?
4.45pm
Close of day one conference sessions
6.30pm onwards
Networking drinks followed by gala dinner
Take the opportunity to meet new people, catch-up with acquaintances, share knowledge and discuss the day’s events
7.15am-8.30am
Power Breakfast
2020 was an extraordinary year in which a pandemic, economic uncertainty and geopolitics created unprecedented challenges. At this breakfast session New Zealand’s leading chairs and directors will share how they navigated the challenges of 2020. Come prepared to listen and learn first-hand from their experiences in this interactive Q&A session.
Breakfast one: The Not for Profit perspective
Some of the most vulnerable organisations during COVID-19 are the ones that in turn help those most in need. Join this breakfast to discuss challenges faced by NFP chairs and directors. Chair: Alan Isaac Panel: Carol Scholes (CanTeen), Brent Impey (Rugby NZ), Mark Conelly (Ronald McDonald)
Breakfast two: Disrupted industries
Airports, tourism and education were, and continue to be, some of the hardest hit by by COVID-19. Join this breakfast to hear from directors in these fields about challenges and learnings. Chair: Julia Hoare, Panel: Dr Patrick Strange (Chair, Auckland Airport), Neil Paviour-Smith (Chancellor, Victoria University), Sarah Ottrey (Director of Skyline & Christchurch Airport)
Breakfast three: Growth industries
COVID-19 led to growth in some industries - but this didn’t come without its challenges. Join this breakfast to hear insights from chairs and directors who navigated the challenges from growth during COVID-19. Chair: Jackie Lloyd Panel: Dame Rosanne Meo (Briscoes), Scott St John (Fisher & Paykel Healthcare), Mark Cross (Xero and Chorus)
8.50am
Welcome to day two
Julia Hoare CMInstD, Vice President of the Institute of Directors
9.00am
Putting Purpose into Practice
Colin Mayer - Corporate purpose has risen to the top of the corporate agendas around the world. In this presentation, Professor Mayer will discuss these developments, their implications for business and investment, and how companies should be enacting purpose in their organisations.
9.40am
Insights from Te Ōhanga Māori 2018
Hillmare Schulze, Missy Te Kanawa, Christian Hawkesby, Joe Hanita - The Māori economy is a significant and increasingly important contributor to the wider economy of Aotearoa, confirmed in the recently released Te Ōhanga Māori 2018 BERL report. Hillmarè Schulze, Chief Economist at BERL, joins us to share the ngā kaupapa matua (key themes) of the report followed by panel discussion with Christian Hawkesby (RBNZ), Riria Te Kanawa (KPMG) and Joe Hanita (Parininihi ki Waitotara ) on the insights and learnings for NZ Inc from the people centric intergenerational and integrated decision making practiced in Te Ao Māori.
10.35am
Morning tea
11.00am
Breakout sessions
There are six sessions in total, with three held each day. Further detail on each session and session selection will be available in mid-April.
Breakout session 1: What’s next for health and safety in New Zealand?
Investment in health and safety in New Zealand has tripled in the last decade, but has this led to better H&S performance? Failure to manage health and safety risk can damage the lives of workers, their families and friends, as well as direct financial costs, damaged reputations and the risk of prosecution. We know that it is the role of the board to set the tone from the top and foster a health and safety culture throughout the organisations, and this includes protecting and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of workers. Join our panel of experts who will discuss what directors need to know in the evolving H&S environment; The current health, wellbeing and safety governance landscape and learnings from the last 11 years. Practical tips for seeking to exercise due diligence. Worksafe’s next steps to transform H&S and create healthier and safer working environments How leaders can navigate the ‘parallel mental health pandemic’ and best support the wellness of employees. Panel : Francois Barton, Stacey Shortall, Ross Wilson, Dr Hillary Bennett
Breakout session 2: Innovating for impact in the Not for Profit sector
There are 115,000 not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in New Zealand and together they are a significant and economic force with unique challenges. NFPs are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, navigating a pandemic, seeing donations drop and cash reserves dwindle, and experiencing more competition and stakeholder scrutiny than ever before. Long-term sustainability depends on good governance and NFP’s ability to innovate. This breakout session will discuss different innovative approaches NFPs can, and are, taking to increase their impact. We are delighted that Perpetual Guardian, Impact Lab and experienced NFP directors are joining to share their insights and expertise. Panel : Patrick Gamble, Liz Gibbs, Maria English, Minnie Baragwanath, Murray Edridge
Breakout session 3: D&O Dialogue – the latest insights on directors and officers liability insurance
Directors and officers of private, public, large, small and not for profit organisations are operating in difficult, complex, and evolving business, legal, and regulatory environments. It is crucial to stay abreast of issues impacting the risk landscape and continually analyse how best to protect themselves. This breakout session will discuss what you need to know about directors and officers liability insurance; Global D&O market and the implications of COVID-19 on claims and renewals. An update on D&O cover and the most important exclusions. The effect of litigation funding and class actions. Lessons learnt from previous D&O claims. A new approach in a tough market – a risk based framework. Panel: Josh Roach, Steve Walsh, Catherine Tait, Toni Ferrier, Andrew Horne
12.10pm
Lunch
12.50pm
The Future of Media: Balancing power with responsibility
Sinead Boucher, Jon Duffy, Fran O’Sullivan, Rachel Smalley - The media landscape has shifted significantly over the past decade, but the fundamental role and responsibility of media has not changed. Media has a crucial role to play in holding government and business to account, ensuring a true and fair democracy and building consumer trust. A free and open media is a governance issue and the opportunities and risks should be considered by directors. Join this panel of experts to discuss the future of media.
1.45pm
The inside edge - rebuilding trust at Cricket Australia
Earl Eddings - Cricket Australia’s (CA) culture of ‘winning without counting the costs’ came under the microscope after the ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering scandal in 2018. The resulting ethics review made 42 recommendations for change within the organisation including to culture and governance. Earl Eddings, as the newly appointed chair of Cricket Australia, had to navigate this testing period in Australian cricket governance, calling on his passion for the game and deep desire to rebuild trust and reputation of the Australian game. Eddings was praised for his deep understanding of the cricket ecosystem having been a player, coach, club president and member on the Cricket Australia board. Earl will share his experience rebuilding Cricket Australia’s reputation after the international scandal and provide us with a candid perspective of governing through the crisis.
2.25pm
Fast Facts: Speaker and topic to be announced shortly.
2.40pm
Perspectives on a path forward
Rob Campbell, Patrick Strange, Justine Smyth - In early March a group of senior chairs and directors of major NZX companies joined together to call for more openness and clarity from the Government on its plan for getting New Zealand to “COVID normal”. Patrick Strange (Chair of Chorus NZ and Auckland Airport), Rob Campbell (Chair of SkyCity, Tourism Holdings, Summerset and Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology) and Justine Smyth (Chair of Spark) will join us for a panel discussion on what inspired this ‘open letter’ and what they hope/hoped it will/would achieve. The organisations lead by these senior directors are ready and willing to play their part in supporting New Zealand’s recovery, and long-term success in managing COVID-19 and building the necessary resilience. The panel will discuss what innovations they would like to see to support New Zealand’s recovery, and what steps the organisations they lead are taking to prepare for COVID normal.
3.35pm
Closing address
Kirsten Patterson, Chief Executive Institute of Directors
3.40pm
Conference concludes