NZ business leaders celebrated at annual awards

NZ business leaders celebrated at annual awards

Last night (30 November) New Zealand’s best and brightest business leaders were celebrated at the annual New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountant (NZICA) Leadership Awards.

Held at Sky City in Auckland, over 450 high profile business leaders took time away from the challenges of 2010 to celebrate their peers’ success. The awards recognise and honour those that achieve excellence in their particular fields, says Terry McLaughlin, NZICA Chief Executive.

“Our 2010 Leadership Award winners are marquee examples of outstanding leadership and service to their profession, employers, clients, and the community. Their influence and capability extends far beyond the accounting field.

My warm congratulations to each of the winners, the calibre of finalists was outstanding and a real testament to the quality of business acumen and leadership that we have in New Zealand,” says Mr McLaughlin.

The 2010 NZICA Leadership Award winners are:

• Hays Chartered Accountant of the Year: John Waller, Independent Director, Auckland

• Telecom Outstanding New Member of the Year: Cassandra Crowley, Chief Executive, Local Government Online, Wellington

• American Express Outstanding Service to the Profession: Emeritus Professor Bevan Clarke, Christchurch

• NZICA Life Member: Warren Allen, Partner, Ernst & Young, Wellington

Also recognised this evening was excellence in annual reporting.

“A strong annual report is a solid indicator that the organisation has an equally strong commitment to sound performance. It shows a commitment to going the extra mile and that is worth celebrating,” says Mr McLaughlin.

Presented by the Hon Peter Dunne, Minister of Revenue, the winners included:

• Crombie Lockwood Best Annual Report by a Corporate Organisation: The New Zealand Refining Company

• Crombie Lockwood Best Annual Report by a Public Sector Organisation: Watercare Services

• Crombie Lockwood Best Annual Report by a Not-For-Profit Organisation: Agriculture Industry Training Organisation

• Crombie Lockwood Best Sustainability Reporting: Auckland City Council

Information about the Leadership Award winners:

John Waller is a highly respected New Zealand business leader who aptly demonstrates the ability that members of the accounting profession have to provide leadership and make a difference. Whether leading the early delivery of Eden Park for the Rugby World Cup, or guiding some of New Zealand’s largest businesses like Fonterra, BNZ and Sky Network television as a Professional Director John is widely regarded as a ‘legend’. Prior to 2008 John was a Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers including serving a ten year period on PWC’s Board. The judges commented that John’s leadership style is inclusive, decisive and focused on adding value. He is a very open, honest person with real integrity.

Cassandra Crowley is the Chief Executive of Local Government Online. An outstanding leader Cassandra has revitalised Local Government Online, whilst sitting on the executive of two not-for-profit boards and overseeing a thriving business of her own called Essity. The judges noted that Cassandra is a shining example of the positive contribution that NZICA’s newer members are making to the profession, the business environment and the broader community.

Emeritus Professor Bevan Clarke was responsible for the development of New Zealand’s first Information Systems course in Commerce in the 1960s and his ongoing contribution to education is considerable. A lecturer at the University of Canterbury in accounting and information systems for the last 40 years, Bevan is a Fellow of NZICA and an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Computer Society, the highest honour that can be bestowed on an individual in the ICT profession. He is very highly regarded both in New Zealand and around the world.

Warren Allen has been recognised for his exemplary contribution to the development of the profession. The highest honour that NZICA can bestow, and there are only ten members who hold a Life Membership. Warren was recently been appointed as the deputy president of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), is a Past President of NZICA and current senior audit Partner with Ernst and Young.

ENDS

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