Good governance enhances corporate performance

Good governance in the government, private and public sectors is greater today than ever before and its importance should never be understated, a top executive of the country has said.

Wellington based BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said that stakeholder trust was derived from the integrity and accountability of those in positions of leadership in companies, institutions and governments.

“The rules, systems and expectations that guide behaviour at the corporate, institutional and national level therefore deserve our scrutiny,” he said.

Mr O’Reilly will be the Guest Speaker at the Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture, scheduled to be held on Monday, July 30, 2012 at Stamford Plaza Hotel in Auckland.

The programme will begin at 630 pm with cocktails and networking.

Former Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, Lady Susan Satyanand and several other people of eminence will be present at the Lecture.

A tribute

This newspaper established the Lecture series last year as a tribute to Sir Anand who retired after completing a five-year term as the Governor General of New Zealand (2006 to 2011). Guest speakers at the event would highlight the significance of Accountability, Transparency, Integrity and Good Governance, which have been the qualities enshrined in the personal and professional life of Sir Anand over many decades.

The Lecture has been structured to encourage New Zealanders in general and those in public and corporate entities in particular to appreciate and practice these qualities as an integral part of professional and personal life.

As a person of Indian origin, Sir Anand enjoys wide popularity and respect in the Indian community, and as such, a number of people of prominence from this community will be present at the Lecture. We have received expression of interest from members of the Maori and Pacific communities as well.

Spirited speaker

One of the most astute executives and spirited speakers of the country, Mr O’Reilly would indubitably enhance the value of our Lecture series.

Nationally, he chairs the Government’s Green Growth Advisory Group, the Capitalising on Research & Development Action Group and the Redundancy & Employment Transition Advisory Group.

He is Joint Chair of the New Zealand Workplace Health & Safety Council and a board member of the Innovation Board of the Ministry of Science & Innovation and the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand..

He serves on a number of other Ministerial and advisory groups.

He is expected include a number of questions that have been daunting the government, officials, economists, businesses and common New Zealanders.

These include, “Would the recent failure of finance companies that destroyed so much of New Zealanders’ wealth have been avoided with better governance?”

“Would there be greater trust in politicians and political and other institutions?”

“Would there be fewer foreign investment controversies with a better and more transparent overseas investment governance regime?”

Prestigious event

Stamford Plaza General Manager Peter Gee said the prestigious Black Tie evening promises to live up to, and indeed exceed, the very high expectations created in the inaugural function last year.

“The inaugural lecture (held at the Hotel on July 4, 2011), was attended by a diverse range of business and community leaders. They were privileged to hear from both Sir Anand and (Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade Secretary & Chief Executive) John Allen, who outlined his thoughts on New Zealand’s future in a fascinating and impassioned key note address,” he said.

He said Mr O’Reilly is an astute, sometimes controversial and certainly respected commentator and lobbyist.

“He is renowned for his insightful and straight forth views on the political and business landscape of the country. I for one certainly look forward to attending what promises to be a most enlightening and entertaining evening,” Mr Gee said.

He said Stamford Plaza is proud of its on-going association with Indian Newslink.

“I am delighted that our Hotel is once again the venue for the Lecture, which is an outstanding annual event,” he said.

The Hotel’s Sales & Marketing Associate Director Sunny Kaushal said that the Lecture series was an acknowledgment of gratitude and tribute to Sir Anand for his exemplary services to New Zealand as Governor General.

“It is also a tribute to our long standing relations with Indian Newslink. Guests who attended the inaugural lecture last year were impressed by the elaborate and impressive arrangements and the quality of the speeches.

“My team is looking forward to welcome the valued VIPs and other guests on July 30, 2012,” he said.

The picture (by Bhavnesh Soni) appearing in this report shows Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand with (from left) Indian Newslink Managing Director Ravin Lal, former Indian High Commissioner Retired Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Labour MP Dr Rajen Prasad, Panworld Travel Mangere Managing Director Nimesh Amin, John Allen, Mrs Mehta and Master of Ceremonies Paul East.