Governance Bites

Send us a textUncover the hidden dynamics of corporate boards with Dr John Peebles, an expert with a PhD in governance and extensive experience as a director and executive search specialist. In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks with Dr Peebles about ""Power Cliques on Boards,"" revealing how informal groups control decision-making outside the boardroom.Learn why boards are not seamless units, the shocking prevalence of passive acceptance of agendas, and why transparency and a good process are more important than diversity metrics. Discover the key questions every Chair should be asking and the best governance advice for new directors. Tune in for essential insights into the real power structures governing your business.Dr. John Peebles is a highly experienced board director, governance consultant, and executive search advisor. In 2008, he was named one of the 50 most influential search consultants in the world by Business Week. His extensive board experience includes current roles as Chairman of Premier Lifestyle Villages Limited and past roles as a Director for The Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand.Dr. Peebles holds a Doctorate in Business and Administration from Massey University. His doctoral research focused on corporate governance, specifically investigating who determines the board's agenda in New Zealand's public companies. He found that directors often passively accept established agenda-setting systems, and his study suggests that competence and transparent boardroom processes are more critical to good governance than factors such as director independence, age, or gender.#PowerCliques, #BoardAgenda, #CorporateGovernance, #BoardofDirectors, #BoardDynamics, #DirectorTips, #BusinessLeadership, #AgendaSetting, #GoodGovernance, #Transparency, #GovernanceBites, #Governance

Send us a textIn this episode of Governance Bites, Mark Banicevich sits down with family governance expert Sandy Kimpton to discuss a crucial topic: what is true intergenerational success?Discover why family governance is about more than just wealth management; it's about developing human capital and preserving your family’s legacy and values. Sandy explains the power of "operating with intentionality", providing practical steps to align family and business. Learn how a long-term family perspective differs from short-term business thinking  and why an independent voice on a family council is essential.Website: https://kimptonandco.co/Reference: Freakonomics episode #38, The Church of "Scionology", https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yKHPJ2mBeTqxMRIRYddb9https://freakonomics.com/2011/08/the-church-of-scionology-yuengling-beer-gallery/Succession can make or break a family legacy. In this episode of Governance Bites, Mark Banicevich sits down with expert Sandy Kimpton, who draws on 30 years of experience within family-owned enterprises.They tackle the tough questions: What makes succession in family firms so different? When should you start planning? And how do you manage the tension between family expectations and business needs? Discover why clear communication is essential  and learn the one piece of advice that could save your business: “the family business is not the family nursery”.#FamilyBusiness, #SuccessionPlanning, #Governance, #Leadership, #BusinessSuccession, #NextGeneration, #CorporateGovernance, #BoardOfDirectors, #FamilyLegacy, #BusinessStrategy, #Entrepreneurship, #GovernanceBites

Send us a textIn this episode of Governance Bites, Mark Banicevich speaks with Tony Dench about what it really means for boards to think strategically — not just plan strategically. X123 shares practical insights on how directors can lift their thinking beyond operations, keep strategic discussions alive between board meetings, and create energy and focus around long-term opportunities. They explore how chairs can enable deeper conversations, how diversity enriches strategy, and what distinguishes high-performing boards. A must-watch for directors who want to move beyond compliance and drive real strategic impact at the board table.Tony Dench is an experienced board member and chair with a passion for applying governance principles in a practical and pragmatic manner. He has more than 30 years of combined international experience in leadership roles across financial services, accountancy, and law. As a leader, Tony has a proven track record of delivering impressive results through a hands-on, collaborative style that builds trusting relationships based on integrity and empathy.A strong advocate for purpose-driven strategy, he successfully implemented this approach as CEO of SHARE, where profits more than trebled under his leadership. Tony currently holds several governance roles, including Independent Director for Utilities Disputes and SBS Insurance, and serves on the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee for the New Zealand Law Society.#Governance, #BoardsOfDirectors, #BoardStrategy, #StrategicThinking, #CorporateGovernance, #BoardLeadership, #HighPerformingBoards, #GovernanceBites, #BoardroomInsights, #ChairLeadership, #StrategicGovernance, #DirectorDevelopment, #FutureOfLeadership, #BoardEffectiveness, #BoardroomExcellence, #BusinessStrategy, #GovernanceMatters, #LeadershipPodcast, #NZBusiness, #BoardConversations

Send us a textIn this episode, Mark Banicevich interviews governance expert Ian Fitzgerald, as he shares lessons from over 35 years in boardrooms in New Zealand and overseas. Ian breaks down what truly defines a high-performing board.Discover the fundamental elements: trust-based teamwork, clarity of purpose, and diversity of thought. Ian reveals how boards balance short-term pressures with long-term value creation, the role of constructive culture and candour, and the power of regular board evaluations. Learn the critical importance of the Chair's role in fostering a safe, high-value discussion. Whether you're on a small company board or a large organisation's, Ian's advice on advancing the conversation and building collective value is a must-listen.Ian Fitzgerald is an experienced company director and advisor based in Blenheim, New Zealand. A Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, his career in governance spans the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.Ian began his career at the NZ Treasury, working on public policy and international economics, before moving into executive roles at Westpac in both New Zealand and Australia. In 1998, he founded the professional services firm Burleigh Evatt, where he advised senior executives on complex strategic issues. Since 2012, Ian's main focus has been on directorships and advisory assignments.His extensive governance portfolio highlights his diverse expertise. He is currently the Chair of the Niue Development Bank. His former leadership roles include serving as Chair of Public Trust, a Crown Entity; Deputy Chair of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand; Chair of Timaru District Holdings Limited; and Chairman of the Ngati Apā ki te Rā Tō Investment Company. He has also been a director for organisations such as World of Wearable Art and Kiwibank.#CorporateGovernance, #HighPerformingBoards, #BoardofDirectors, #Leadership, #BusinessStrategy, #BoardCulture, #Teamwork, #Director, #GovernanceBites, #ValueCreation

Send us a textIn this episode, Mark Banicevich speaks with Dr Richard Carson about why most change initiatives fail — and what boards can do differently. They explore the common traps leaders fall into, the importance of people-centred strategies, and how governance structures can support rather than hinder transformation. With real-world examples and practical governance advice, Dr Carson highlights how boards can secure employee buy-in, measure meaningful progress, and challenge top-down approaches that miss the human element. Packed with insights for directors, executives, and governance professionals, this conversation offers a roadmap for leading change that truly sticks.Richard H. Carson is a consultant, author, and academic researcher with a 40-year career focused on organisational change management. He is the CEO of Carson & Associates, a consultancy he established in 2017 to serve public-sector and non-profit organisations. The firm specialises in making organisations more performance efficient and cost-effective through services like strategic planning, human resources, and executive coaching.Dr Carson’s has served as a senior policy analyst for three Oregon governors and held numerous public sector management roles. His doctorate research in organisational psychology at Washington State University resulted in his trademarked “People Sustained Organizational Change Management (PSOCM) model”, a comprehensive, three-phase, 10-step framework for managing workplace transformation.Dr Carson authored “The Book of Change” (see https://www.bookofchange.com/ for a free PDF), a practical, step-by-step guide written for business and government executives, consultants, and students navigating organisational change. Dr Carson has also served on several boards, including the Oregon Development Network, the American Planning Association in Oregon and Washington, and Kit Carson Historic Museums.#ChangeManagement, #Leadership, #Governance, #BoardOfDirectors, #OrganisationalChange, #FutureOfWork, #EmployeeEngagement, #BusinessTransformation, #ChangeLeadership, #CultureMatters, #BoardroomInsights, #DirectorAdvice, #PeopleCentredChange, #CorporateGovernance, #ChangeThatSticks