Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

New Zealand has slipped further back in the world ranking of economic competitiveness, and one of the reasons is the quality of our corporate governance.

The Institute of Directors, both locally and nationally, focusses on improving standards of governance at a board and individual level. This includes assisting those who would like to develop a governance career to gain the appropriate skills and knowledge to operate successfully at board level – whether it be in a voluntary, school, not-for-profit, trust, SME or a larger business or corporate capacity.

Last week, the Bay of Plenty Branch of the IOD called for applications for its 2013 Aspiring Director Award. To apply, applicants need to demonstrate a level of management experience with governance exposure, a commitment to developing a career in governance and show they have good leadership and communication skills. They do not need direct governance experience.

The winning recipient will receive a tremendous raft of benefits that will contribute to their career in governance, including:

• Complimentary membership with IOD for 12 months.
• Complimentary attendance at all branch functions for 12 months.
• Mentoring with an experienced director for 12 months.
• A financial contribution towards IOD professional development.
• An experiential ‘directorship' position for 6 months.
• A profile in the IOD ‘Boardroom' magazine.

I have been involved with the Institute of Directors for the last five years. Through attendance at IOD courses, meetings and events, I have learned a huge amount about good and bad governance and I have become a passionate advocate for the need for good governance. The Aspiring Directors Award is one pathway into a governance career, which I can strongly recommend.

An application pack can be obtained from Jo Perry, branch manager of IOD's Bay of Plenty Branch by emailing: bop.branch@iod.org.nz.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please contact me at: neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150. Or you can check out my website at: www.janenees.co.nz