Deputy Mayor launches initiative to boost diversity
Deputy Mayor launches initiative to boost diversity on
council boards
Auckland Council is introducing a
programme to foster greater gender and ethnic diversity at
board level, Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse announced today.
The year-long Board Observer Programme is designed to give aspiring directors boardroom knowledge and allow them to establish relationships and networks with current directors, in conjunction with Auckland’s council-controlled organisations (CCOs).
Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, Chair of the CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee, says “A lack of gender and ethnic diversity on boards is an issue in New Zealand and overseas.
“This programme is a step towards building that capacity for Auckland businesses and organisations, using the considerable experience within our CCOs to foster a new generation of skilled board members from groups traditionally not well-represented.”
Mayor Len Brown says “The previous council was often frustrated by the lack of diversity in experienced directors when we were seeking to appoint to our CCOs. This programme was born from the desire to expand that diversity.”
Thirty-two per cent of Auckland Council’s current CCO directors are women. This compares with 14.75 per cent in New Zealand’s top 100 companies and 41 per cent of state sector boards.*
Interview panel member for the programme Councillor Penny Webster says the calibre of the applicants was impressive.
“This is Auckland
Council’s contribution to building a more diverse pool of
experienced directors for Auckland organisations and
companies,” says Cr Webster. I am confident these new
appointees are a fantastic first step towards greater ethnic
and gender diversity in Auckland governance.”
The
appointees are:
Alexandra Delany to Watercare
Services Limited - a lawyer with commercial experience,
strong business acumen and an interest in corporate
governance.
Sarah Beaman to Regional Facilities Auckland
– a strategic thinker with experience and a broad
knowledge in business and sport. Sarah has experience in
developing organisations to have a strong governance model
that will ensure their future sustainability.
Kylie Clegg
to Auckland Transport – an experienced legal and corporate
governance background across a range of sectors. Kylie
brings previous governance experience during her time on the
boards of the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation and New
Zealand Olympic Committee.
· Sarah Minhinnick
to Waterfront Auckland – expertise in banking and finance,
combined with a high-level legal background. Sarah has
well-developed client relationship and management skills
that enable her to communicate across a variety of
levels.
The programme is designed to run from
February 2014 to February 2015. In conjunction with the
CCOs, a decision will be made in late 2014 as to whether the
programme will be repeated in 2015.
* The Human Rights Commission 2012 Census of Women’s Participation found that in New Zealand’s top 100 companies by market capitalisation, only 14.75 per cent of directors are women (90 directorships held by 69 women in 55 companies). The HRC notes that at the current rates of progress, equality in New Zealand corporate governance will take another 35 years to achieve.
Central government has a gender diversity target of 45 per cent by 2014. In 2012, 35 per cent of directors of crown companies and 41 per cent of directors of state sector boards were women.
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