Telecom picks up CFO of the Year for tackling big issues

16 March 2012

Telecom picks up CFO of the Year for tackling big issues and creating change

Telecom, Air New Zealand, Auckland Council and Bank of New Zealand are celebrating wins after the 2012 New Zealand CFO Awards in Auckland last night.

More than 350 people honoured individuals and teams for innovation and leadership in the finance community at a dinner following the CFO Summit, run by Fairfax Media and Conferenz.

Telecom CFO Nick Olson took out 2012 CFO of the Year for leading one of the most complex demergers in New Zealand corporate history.

“We were hugely impressed by the scope of change and process improvement introduced by Nick,” said the judges. “He is widely regarded as bringing the fun back into the team thanks to his down-to-earth and approachable demeanour. Nick was also instrumental in developing and implementing Telecom’s three year strategic plan.”

Scott Scoullar, CFO, Inland Revenue was given a special commendation in this category for his ability to focus on and influence high-level strategic policy while pursuing significant operational improvements.

Bank of New Zealand’s youngest-ever Divisional CFO Martin Gaskell won the Young Financial Manager of the Year award.

“Martin’s strong technical skills have helped him develop an incredibly committed and highachieving team. He was also one of 20 people, out of 40,000 employees across New Zealand and Australia, to be selected for the bank’s Accelerate leadership programme,” said the judges.

The Finance Team of the Year award went to Air New Zealand for having a culture of excellence focusing on employee engagement and outstanding interaction with the wider business.

Auckland Council picked up Financial Innovation Project of the Year for its Annual Plan, which was put together in eight months during a time of uncertainty and change.

Sir John Buchanan received the Lifetime Contribution to Finance and Business Award in February.

For more information, go to www.unlimited.co.nz/cfoawards or www.cfosummit.co.nz.

The 2012 CFO Award judges: Anthony Burg, CFO, Solid Energy New Zealand; Jan Dawson,
Independent Director and Chye Heng, CFO/ Executive Director, Beca Group Ltd

2012 CFO Award finalists

CFO of the Year
Julian Cook (Summerset Group), Kathy Meads (Lyttelton Port Company), Nick Olson
(Telecom), Scott Scoullar (Inland Revenue).

Finance Team of the Year
Air New Zealand, ASB Bank, Datacom.

Financial Innovation Project of the Year
Auckland Council (Annual Plan) and Meridian Energy (Macarthur Wind Farm Project).

Young Financial Manager of the Year
Vicki Bryson (Finance Manager, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology), Martin Gaskell (Divisional CFO, Bank of New Zealand), Leanne Walker (Finance Manager, Summerset Group Holdings).

ENDS

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