Dairy Exporter August 2020

Page 57

Governance Special report

Spreading experience Words by: Elaine Fisher

D

iversity around the board table is vital for modern businesses and that diversity is not only about gender, it’s also about skill sets, Co-operative Business New Zealand chief executive Roz Henry says. “It is about diversity of thought and experience. If those at the board table all come from similar backgrounds, there can be a lack of challenge and forward thinking to ensure the future proofing of their businesses.” Roz says there is an increased awareness of the need for different skills around the board table, and for succession planning, to help equip the next generation for governance roles. That’s why Co-operative Business New Zealand has extended its governance education offerings and launched its first Co-operative Governance Development Programme partnering with Mayfield Group. The programme, open to all members of Co-operative Business New Zealand and their shareholders, is designed specifically for aspiring directors and those that are new to boards. The 2020 programme is due to start in September, (for more information refer to the link at the end of this article). “This comprehensive programme is designed to support developing future governors operating within co-operative governance environments,” Roz says. “With the co-operative sector (memberowned businesses including mutuals and societies) making up a large part of the New Zealand economy, it is hugely important that we equip the next

Jo Guy of Mayfield Group.

generation of leaders to make the right decisions.” Primary industry co-operatives account for 65 to 75% of all co-ops in NZ and are among the best known, but Roz says others including Foodstuffs, ITM, Mitre 10 and NZ Plumbers Merchants are also co-ops. “New Zealand is one of the most co-operative economies in the world with co-operatives generating around 19% of GDP, employing more than 50,000 New Zealanders with 1.5m members.” However, Roz says there is a need for more training to prepare leaders for vital governance skills and give members confidence to take on the roles. “Ensuring good governance is a significant issue for co-operatives, and

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | August 2020

while there are similarities to corporate boards, there are nuances that present challenges and opportunities. Access to capital and the complexities of shareholder versus stakeholder demands, remain important issues that these boards must address.” Jo Guy of Mayfield Group says participants will undertake a six-month governance programme that includes two residential workshops, remote learning and coaching and mentoring throughout. Facilitators Janine Smith, principal and chair of The Boardroom Practice and Associate Professor David Tweed will anchor the programme, working alongside a wide range of experienced speakers and subject matter experts, Jo says. “Janine, who was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to corporate governance, has been a company director for more than 20 years. Her wide-ranging knowledge and expertise arise from her experience as a CEO, executive director and independent director with companies in the commercial, arts, and education sectors, both in New Zealand and overseas. Janine has also previously served on the board of AssureQuality and was the chair for nine years.” David Tweed is an educator, director and strategist. He has designed, directed, and delivered many governance development programmes over the past decade. He works with many co-operatives to grow their governance capabilities and has designed and delivered governance master classes for the boards of many StateOwned Enterprises. Jo says the timing is right for the

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Articles inside

Environment and animal welfare spur system change

2min
page 87

Maize silage, the ideal spring supplement

3min
page 89

Select Hereford bulls on merit

1min
page 88

The secret of MUNBV

2min
page 86

The lowdown on good silage

5min
pages 84-85

National dairy trainee winner ‘loves science

7min
pages 82-83

Proactive leadership proves a winner

5min
pages 80-81

Bone injuries: Broken shoulders in heifers

3min
pages 73-74

DairyNZ: Take care using antibiotics for clinical mastitis

2min
page 75

Mycoplasma bovis: Biosecurity a priority to combat disease

3min
pages 78-79

Milk replacers: To curd or not to curd?

6min
page 77

Great soil and water management wins awards

8min
pages 70-72

Doing what’s right’ for whole farm wins awards

13min
pages 62-66

CO Diary: GoDairy - Helping Kiwis get into dairying

3min
pages 45-46

Co-operative vs corporate governance

3min
pages 60-61

Diversity makes for better decisions

3min
page 59

Good governance structure benefits farm business

8min
pages 47-49

Spreading experience

7min
pages 57-58

Learning to govern effectively

1min
pages 50-51

Cashing-in on the culls

6min
pages 42-44

Shining through the drought

9min
pages 39-41

Covid-19 brought a range of challenges for Bridie Virbickas

3min
pages 14-15

Zanda Award: Winning Coaster champions staff training

10min
pages 36-38

Redesigning workplaces to make them attractive to new workers

2min
page 35

Using a Kanban workplace management system to run a Canterbury farm

10min
pages 28-34

Global Dairy – Brazil: Dairy farming in a land of contrasts

3min
page 21

Chloe Davidson shares the joys and challenges of relocating business and family

3min
page 12

High standards in a sensitive environment

9min
pages 24-27

Shiralee Seerden welcomes the extra business of a contract milking position

3min
page 13
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