To The Core inspires boardroom hopefuls Participants keen to learn and speakers primed to inspire made To The Core 2021 a big success in preparing tomorrow’s co-operative leaders for the challenges ahead.
the panel’s views on governance, leadership and the challenges ahead for tomorrow’s co-operative leaders. Day 1 kicked off with an introduction by Farmlands and Silver Fern Farms senior leaders and a word from To The Core alumnus Will Clarke, who reflected on how the programme had helped introduce him to the world of governance and getting on a board of directors.
The 23 potential boardroom leaders who attended June’s To The Core governance and leadership programme, which Farmlands runs in partnership with Silver Fern Farms, came away full of praise for the calibre of speakers and the knowledge gained during the 3-day event in Christchurch.
Farmlands Director Warren Parker and Chairman Rob Hewett spoke about how an effective board functions and the important flow-on effects decisions made have for the business.
Smaller group sessions on the second day were a highlight, with many relishing the opportunity to question the Four-person panel of directors and senior company executives. These included Silver Fern Farms independent director Jane Taylor, Miraka chairman Kingi Smiler, Alliance South chair Stuart Heal and retired Silver Fern Farms director Trevor Burt. All serve on several boards.
Keynote speaker was Fulton Hogan chair Dean Hamilton, who is also a non-executive director of Auckland International Airport, The Warehouse Group and Tappenden Holdings. Dean retired in 2018 as Silver Fern Farms chief executive. He shared insights into his journey from management to governance, dealing with disruption and all the homework he does on a company before getting involved in its board.
The interaction enabled the attendees, from diverse backgrounds and representing every region of New Zealand, to hear first-hand
“New Zealand is a small place so I invariably ask current board members
how is life on that board?” Dean said. “You want to meet with the other directors. It’s also useful to see their strategy document and some board papers. These directorship roles are long-term commitments so you need to be clear on what you are getting into.” Silver Fern Farms CEO Simon Limmer explained how he works with the chair and the board to deliver on the company’s strategy. He spoke about his time in France, his move home and some of the challenges the business is facing, as well as the opportunities. Simon said that as CEO, you are the pivot between management and the board and people often “tell you what you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear”. Jacinta Stevenson and her husband Jim farm sheep and beef across two properties near Middlemarch, Otago, while raising their children Tessa, Max and Belle. With 40,000 stock units across 7000ha, theirs is no small operation. Jacinta said she picked up on several ideas and recommendations that would help her be more strategic
| Big success: participants and speakers at To The Core 2021.
18 | THE FARMLANDER
Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © August 2021. All rights reserved.
WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ
