Learning & Development

Level: Intermediate
Duration: Three half-day sessions over three months
Format: In Person
CPD Hours: 12
Audience: Individuals looking for a pathway to senior leadership and governance roles
Cost: Member: $1850 + GST
Non-Member: $2350 + GST
10% discount when two or more people from the same organisation apply (available to members and non-members)
Location: To be confirmed
Wellington CBD
Date: Applications close 30 April and sessions run from June 2027 to August 2027

About

About the 2027 Programme in Wellington

Developed by the INFINZ Emerging Leaders Group, the programme is now in its third year in Wellington 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 board's expectations of senior management.

Attendees will also gain an understanding of 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 three-month period, with three half-day sessions running from June to August 2027.

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

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

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

Pre-Requisites

Applicants should:

  • Ideally be aged between 32 and 45
  • Have at least seven years of full-time industry experience
  • Commit to attending all three sessions on the specified dates
  • Commit to the responsibilities of being a mentee for 12 months, respecting their mentor's time and advice, with monthly meetings agreed and upheld between mentor and mentee
  • Provide a LinkedIn profile or CV with their application

Who Should Attend

  • Professionals looking at ways to add value to the board and senior management
  • Individuals between 32 and 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

Programme Outline

  • Setting the Scene
  • Governance 101
  • The Many Forms of a Board
  • The Expectations of the CEO
  • The Expectations of the Chair
  • What Have You Learnt? Graduation, Networking and Drinks

Programme Details

Session 1: 

Wednesday 2 June 2027, 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Setting the Scene

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

Facilitator: Lee Marshall, Managing Partner, Hunter Campbell

Governance 101

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

Speaker: Kevin McCaffrey, Director, My Governance

Session 2:  

July 2027 (date TBC), 1.00pm to 5.00pm

The Many Forms of a Board

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

Speaker: MJ Daly, Independent Director

The Expectations of the CEO

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

Speakers: TBC

Session 3:

August 2027 (date TBC), 1.00pm to 5.00pm

The Expectations of the Chair

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

Speakers: TBC

What Have You Learnt? 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 three half-day sessions running from June until August 2027, plus a mentorship for twelve months.

Members: $1850 + GST
Non-Member: $2350 + GST
Special Offer: 10% discount when two or more people from the same organisation apply (available to members and non-members)

Date & Time

Session 1: Wednesday 2 June 2027, 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Session 2: July 2027 (date TBC), 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Session 3: August 2027 (date TBC), 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Venue

To be confirmed
Wellington CBD

Sessions include lunch, tea and coffee, and drinks and nibbles after the final session.

CPD

12 Hours

Speakers 

Lee Marshall (Facilitator)

Managing Partner, Hunter Campbell, Recruitment Specialists

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.

MJ Daly

Independent Director

Further speakers to be announced.

How to Apply

Applications close: Friday 30 April 2027

Click here for the application form.

Download the brochure.

Return the application form to Faith Taylor at faith@infinz.com and include your LinkedIn profile or CV.

Please note the criteria on the application form.

Please advise dietary requirements when applying.

Testimonials
  • "Working with my mentor has been a transformative experience. Her guidance, paired with the coaching programme she recommended, has opened up new ways of thinking about what I can offer to boards. Through our regular sessions, I’ve gained clarity on my goals and begun mapping a clear path forward. It’s also highlighted the power of networking as a gateway to opportunities I hadn’t previously considered, like sustainability finance. I’m excited by the possibilities ahead."

    Anna Barrett
    Commercial Manager, Waste Management

  • "I really enjoyed all the sessions. I came in with prior experience, so I was looking for perspective on the New Zealand governance environment, which is quite different from what I’ve experienced in the past. One of the most valuable insights was around tenure, both at board and executive levels, where long-term service is much more common here. The programme also gave me a chance to reflect on whether I want to continue in executive roles or move toward governance. It has definitely given me a lot to think about. "

    Matt Edwards
    CEO, TMNZ

  • "Thank you for a fantastic course. The sessions were insightful and helped me appreciate the role governance can play in my career, even if directorships aren’t my path. I especially enjoyed Rebecca Thomas’s advice to stay broad but not intrusive, and the quote ‘Speak like you’re right, listen like you’re wrong’ really stuck with me. Mark Verbiest’s comment about scars being important was also a powerful takeaway."

    Julie Money
    Director, Transaction Banking, ANZ

  • "I really enjoyed the Next Directors Programme overall. The calibre of the speakers was very impressive, and I learnt a lot about how boards operate from their insights. Being assigned a mentor has been great too, particularly at this stage of my career."

    Erin Johnston
    Associate Director, Cube Credit

Contact

For any questions please email Faith Taylor at faith@infinz.com

Refund Terms and Conditions

  • Fees must be paid before the Programme begins, otherwise your place is not guaranteed
  • Full refund if cancelled more than 28 days prior to the first session
  • 50% refund if cancelled between 14 and 28 days prior
  • 25% refund if cancelled between 7 and 14 days prior
  • No refund if cancelled within 7 days of the first session
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