Auckland

The Next Directors Programme has been designed to develop and mentor individuals looking for a pathway to senior leadership and governance roles.

Applications now open

About the 2025 Programme in Auckland

Developed by the INFINZ Emerging Leaders Group, the programme is now in its fourth year in Auckland and has been designed to develop and mentor individuals looking for a pathway to senior leadership and governance roles.

The programme provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals associated with the role of the board, being a director and the boards expectation of the senior management.

Attendees will also gain an understanding on how to become more influential and impactful in meeting the needs of senior management. The sessions will include topics on board principles and rules; governance and strategy; the role of the senior leadership team; and practical examples from industry leaders.

Each participant will be matched with a board/director Mentor who will guide them for a twelve-month period.

Each session is expertly facilitated by Lee Marshall, Managing Partner at Hunter Campbell, Recruitment Specialists.

The programme sessions will be delivered over a four-month period, with six two-hour sessions running from August to November 2025.

The participants will be a small group of like-minded individuals, with the integrity of the programme based on the calibre of the alumni.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Professionals looking at ways to add value to the board and senior management
Individuals between 32 - 45 years of age who wish to prepare themselves for senior leadership and governance roles
Those early in their governance career who wish to further develop their directorship capability

BENEFITS & OUTCOMES
- PARTICIPANT

Learn the fundamentals of what it takes to be a director and plan your path
Gain the confidence and knowledge to more effectively contribute to the board and senior management
Benefit from the guidance of a matched mentor skilled in the areas you wish to develop for twelve months
Develop a wider network through the broader industry eco-system via the alumni, speakers, and mentors
12 CPD Hours in total
Plus a year of mentoring from an experienced Board Director

BENEFITS & OUTCOMES
- SPONSORING EMPLOYER

Employee who is more effective at supporting the SLT and board
Supports retention of rising star
Provides significant growth and development opportunity
Exceptional value professional development

Programme Format

1. SETTING THE SCENE

Thursday 14th August 2025
7.30 am - 9.30 am

Opening breakfast, meet your fellow participants; look at your career direction; mentoring and programme expectations.

FACILITATOR:
Lee Marshall, Managing Partner
Hunter Campbell

2. GOVERNANCE 101

Thursday 28th August 2025
7.30 am - 9.30 am

Best practice; director obligations; corporate governance principles & rules.

SPEAKER
Kevin McCaffrey
Director: My Governance. Formerly Associate Partner EY People, Advisory Services; governance & change management at EY, IBM, PwC, IOD. Master of Governance, Massey University

3. THE MANY FORMS OF A BOARD

Thursday 25th September 2025
7.30 am - 9.30 am

From advisory board, not-for-profit, or sub-committee, to the dynamics and different roles of the board.

SPEAKER:
MJ Daly, Independent Director

4. THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CEO

Thursday 23rd October 2025
7.30 am - 9.30 am

What does the board expect from their CEO and how can the Senior Leadership Team assist?

SPEAKERS:
Two leading CEOs will be part of the panel Q&A.

5. THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CHAIR

Thursday 6th November 2025
7.30 am - 9.30 am

Keeping up with diversity & culture; governance leadership; and the Chair's expectations of the CEO and management team.

SPEAKERS
Two leading Chairs will be part of the panel Q&A.

6. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT?

Wednesday 12th November 2025
5.30pm - 7.30pm
Hunter Campbell, Level 3, 13 Blake Street, Ponsonby

Graduation: Networking + Drinks
Participants will share with the group their learnings from the programme and how they plan to apply them over a relaxed discussion.

COST

The Next Directors Programme includes six two-hour sessions commencing from August until November 2025, plus a mentorship for twelve months.

$1837.50* + GST for INFINZ Members
$2467.50 + GST for Non-members
$1653.75* + GST each if two members apply from the same organisation

* To be eligible for the Members discount, the applicant must be a financial member for the Membership Year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2025

CLICK HERE for the APPLICATION FORM.

Download the Brochure

Return application form to Faith Robertson at support@infinz.com and include your LinkedIn Profile or CV

Please note the Criteria on the Application Form.

WHERE

The first five sessions will be held at Hunter Campbell office, Level 3, 13 Blake Street, Ponsonby. Sessions include breakfast, tea and coffee.

The final session, Graduation, will be held in the evening at Hunter Campbell.

TESTIMONIALS

"The Next Director experience provided me with a highly applicable and focused programme to help me develop knowledge of governance, tools and insights to help work with senior executives. The programme had a real community feel, with like-minded individuals from across our industry. I strongly feel that being part of this programme had a positive influence on being appointed to my current role."

NIGEL GRANT
HEAD OF WEALTH PRODUCT, ASB
"From the advice I received from well-respected industry leaders to the friends I’ve made, joining INFINZ has been an invaluable experience. I can only say that I wish I’d become an INFINZ member sooner."

LOURDAIZ AH CHONG
RETAIL SALES TRADER, FORSYTH BARR
"The organisation upholds values that I hold dear - honesty, integrity and professionalism."

CARMEL FISHER
FOUNDER FISHER FUNDS AND INFINZ FELLOW
"Healthy capital markets are vital to the NZ economy, and INFINZ plays a unique and important role in developing and maintaining that health”

DAVID MCLEAN
FORMER CEO WESTPAC AND INFINZ DISINGUISHED FELLOW
“INFINZ has enabled me to expand beyond my everyday network, with the range of members never failing to impress me, which I find valuable. The events and training INFINZ provided have been top notch, I walk away with practical knowledge from growing my career to how different parts of the financial service sector work.”

MEI ZI HO
SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST NIKKO ASSET MANAGEMENT