Saturday 23rd July 2005
By Sally Brown

Pippa Blake announces inaugural Leadership Awards in Sir Peter’s name

Sir John Anderson is very proud to be New Zealand’s first Blake Medallist.

The 59-year-old Wellington based leader was presented with his accolade at the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards at Government House on Saturday night .

Six Emerging Leader recipients, aged 25 to 42, were also named at the ceremony.

The recipients are Samara Sutherland, Mark Weldon , Steven Carden, Greg Fleming, Neil Paviour-Smith and Glen Sowry..

Pippa, Lady Blake travelled to New Zealand specifically for the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards and spoke prior to Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright
making the official presentation.

“It seems to me this country is in good hands when I observe the calibre of these emerging leaders who are rising through the ranks,” she says.

“To remember Sir Peter through these awards is an appropriate and fitting honour.”

As well as being named the winner of the prestigious Blake Medal, ANZ - National Bank Chief Executive and Director Sir John Anderson was awarded $10,000 worth of Air New Zealand travel.

Sir John’s career and contributions in many fields, business, sport, environment and community have demonstrated outstanding leadership for over 25 years.

It has been based on believing in people, building teams and following the principles of quality and excellence, with a strong emphasis on values and integrity.

Each of the Emerging Leader awardees received $5000 cash and $5000 air travel from Air New Zealand to be used to further their potential as up and coming leaders.

Sir Peter Blake was one of New Zealand’s greatest heroes and inspiring leaders He was also an ambassador for the environment, and one the most successful sailors in the world.

Dame Silvia says it’s fitting the Blake Medal bears Sir Peter’s name.

“He was a true leader, a man who set goals and strove to meet them, always it seemed, pushing the bar higher and higher,” she says.

“Success had to be worked for and sacrifices made. But no matter how hard he worked, he was doing what he loved and felt passionate about.

“That is why we follow leaders. It is because their passion inspires us,” Dame Silvia says.

The Selection Panel included leadership heavyweights Sir Ron Carter, Ann Sherry, Sir Wilson Whineray, Sir Hugh Kawharu, Eion Edgar, John Graham and Dr Lester Levy.

Selection Panel chair, Sir Ron Carter was impressed with the calibre of nominees.

“The nominations we received showed us how motivated and hard working people are taking the initiative and developing worthwhile projects, contributing to important organisations, building and motivating teams and making a positive difference through their leadership skills” he said.

The awards were launched by the Sir Peter Blake Trust in April.

The Trust aims to keep Sir Peter’s memory alive and to continue to empower young New Zealanders to make a positive difference to the environment, and promote leadership

“We must encourage, inspire and motivate those among us who would aspire to leadership roles, whether in business, the arts, sport, the community,” Trust Chair Ann Sherry says.

“That, after all, is what the awarding of the Blake Medal is all about and what it will come to represent in the years ahead.”

ends

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