Governance Bites

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Simona Turin about boards balancing strategic discusions with discussions about risk and business as usual. They discuss how director liability can incentivise conservativism, and how boards can find a better balance with strategy. Simona also shares some advice with new directors.  Simona Turin is Chief Executive Officer of AcademyEX, succeed...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Glenys Talivai about governance in autonomous Crown Entities in New Zealand. He asks how they differ from government departments, and how governance differs from private sector and for-purpose organisations. Mark asks how board members are appointed, and how they remain independent and autonomous. Glenys outlines the role the board plays in se...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Dr Peter Crow about boards in crisis situations. His questions include asking about critical leadership qualities, balancing the needs for quick decisions with thorough analysis, and prioritising issues. He also asks about the board's role in managing relationships, building organisational resilience, and post-crisis reviews.  Dr Peter Cr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talk to Angus Ogilvie about Chartered Secretaries. He outlines what a Chartered Secretary is, and what is involved in becoming one. I ask about the role of the Chartered Secretary, and who could benefit from having one. He outlines the benefits of a Chartered Secretary, and the various ways an entity could engage one (particularly if the entity does not have the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Simona Turin about working as an executive in one company, while working as a director in others. They discuss advantages and challenges, and Simona shares how she manages the workload. She also shares the best advice she has received as a director.  Simona Turin is Chief Executive Officer of AcademyEX, succeeding Frances Valintine. She is pre...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Dauniika Maclean about board workplans. He asks what they are, and what key elements they contain. He asks how far in advance they are created, who is involved in creating them, and how they are reviewed and adjusted through the year. He also asks what tools or platforms are used to manage and track them, and how to manage accountability and c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talk to Angus Ogilvie about board charters. I ask what they are, and their purpose. Angus outlines their contents. I ask about how an entity can write a board charter, who writes it, and how it is implemented. We discuss how they influence board meetings, and how they are used in director induction. We also discuss reviews and breaches. Angus also shares some ad...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to Shamubeel Eaqub about changing social demographics, and how they could impact a business. He asks how a strong board can prepare for these types of changes, and asks about the demographic trends that are likely to impact New Zealand businesses over the next few decades. They discuss the uncertainty of change, and how a board can manage thi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Glenys Talivai about women in governance. He asks about the key barriers and challenges, and how these manifest at different stages of a woman’s career. They discuss how diversity on boards enhances performance. Glenys shares thoughts on how boards can create a culture of inclusivity, and how men and women can advocate for gender diversity in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Dauniika Maclean about artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs, such as GPTs), in the boardroom. He asks about the risks of their use, and how to mitigate them. He asks about time saving. Mark also asks about board software, and how they are using AI.  Dauniika Maclean is a professional company secretary, and a Charte...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talk to Angus Ogilvie about the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) of New Zealand (https://cginz.org/). CGI was established in London in 1891, and in New Zealand in 1937. It is now in 80 countries. Angus introduces CGI, and outlines the benefits of membership. He talks about the annual CGI conference, and the biennial Women in Governance Awards. He also shares...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to Shamubeel Eaqub about directors and their knowledge of the political, social and economic environment. He asks why current knowledge of these factors is important, and about examples of when such knowledge has impacted board decisions. They discuss how directors should keep abreast of these factors, and how they can optimise their time kee...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Dauniika Maclean about recruiting a board secretary. He asks about the skills and competencies required, and necessary knowledge and experience. They discuss communication skills, interpersonal skills and technological proficiency. Dauniika outlines professional development for board secretaries, onboarding, and pitfalls to avoid when recruiti...

Send us Fan Mail In this interview, Mark Banicevich asks Richard Coon about the agreements and key terms that form part of angel investment arrangements. Richard outlines the term sheet, its purpose, and its contents. He talks about other documents, such as the company constitution, shareholder agreement, and founder agreement. Mark asks about when angel investors might seek a seat on the board, a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to Shamubeel Eaqub about the value of an economist on the board. He asks about what an economist brings to a board that differs from lawyers and accountants, and what timeframes he considers in the boardroom. Mark asks about divergent thinking, and any similarities among divergent thinkers he has encountered. He also asks about the best advic...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Dauniika Maclean about board minutes. They discuss minutes templates and meeting preparation, legal requirements, content of board minutes, and the process for creating and approving board minutes. Mark also asks Dauniika about the best governance advice she's received.  Dauniika Maclean is a professional company secretary, and a Chartere...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Craig Mulholland about board tenure and avoiding stagnation. Mark starts by asking how the board can ensure a balance between continuity and fresh perspectives, particularly regarding director tenure. They discuss the benefits and drawbacks of limiting board tenure. Craig also shares some great techniques that can be used to refresh board thin...

Send us Fan Mail In this video, Mark Banicevich asks Richard Coon about angel investing. This conversation will help directors of startup or early-stage businesses. Mark asks about pitch decks, business valuations, monitoring performance, and how involved angel investors may get in the business. Mark also asks the best advice Richard received as a director.  Richard Coon, ONZM, was co-founder of t...

Send us Fan Mail In this video, Mark Banicevich asks Fiona Whyte about the difference between online and in-person board meetings. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each format, whether the decision-making process differs, which format is more efficient, and which is more effective. They discuss tools that enable online meetings, and how an effective board balances these advantages...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Craig Mulholland about the board holding management to account. Holding management to account is one of the four pillars of good governance promoted by the NZ Institute of Directors. Mark asks what this means, what types of information the board needs to hold management to account, and what tools the board can use to do so. He asks how the boa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to Peter Kenny about leveraging the regulations and guidance from other jurisdictions. New Zealand regulation in many industries is very principles-based. Are there benefits to researching the regulations and guidance of regulators in other jurisdictions? Peter and Mark particularly discuss financial services resources from Australian regulat...

Send us Fan Mail In this video, Mark Banicevich asks Fiona Whyte about environmental, social and governance (ESG) in the boardroom. He asks what ESG is, why it is important, and why it is relevant in the boardroom. He also asks how an effective board oversees its entity’s ESG behaviours, and how it assesses and manages ESG-related risks. Mark also asks Fiona about the best advice she’s received as...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Craig Mulholland about board papers. He asks about the number of agenda items in board meetings, the size of board packs, and the length of board papers. They discuss how far in advance board papers should be available to directors, and what is usually covered in a board paper. Craig also shares the best advice he received regarding new direct...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to Peter Kenny about delegations of authority. He asks what they are, what sorts of powers are delegated, and what sorts of powers cannot be delegated. They discuss processes to assess and manage risk associated with delegations of authority, and how an organisation ensures accountability and oversight of them. They also discuss options for s...

Send us Fan Mail In this video, Mark Banicevich asks Fiona Whyte about keeping directors relevant. They discuss board evaluations – what they are, how frequently they are performed, who should perform them, and what sorts of questions are asked. They proceed to discuss director tenure, avoiding stagnation, and succession planning.  Fiona Whyte is a director of Woori Bank, a commercial bank in Camb...