This year’s awards judges say Boyd has chaired Telecom in exemplary fashion through difficult circumstances.
“Separating Telecom into two businesses under his watch was bound to be testing exercise,” they say.
“Rather than shy away, he accomplished the objectives with skill and organisational aplomb.”
Boyd now retires from his role as chairman leaving two companies well structured for the new regulatory environment.
His past chairmanship of other major New Zealand enterprises including Auckland International Airport and Meridian Energy has been equally outstanding.
The telecommunications industry issues involved in the restructure of Telecom were extremely complex. The company was New Zealand’s largest listed enterprise. It was also effectively government monopoly.
The judges say Boyd’s legal background, financial knowledge, strategic skills and experience – together with his deep understanding of governance and leadership – made him the best chairman for the job.
The change process had to be properly managed given the economic and political implications of getting it wrong.
“He did superb job,” say the judges.
Boyd was appointed to the Telecom board in 2004 and took over the chairmanship from Dr Roderick Deane in 2006.
He has been director of Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and chair of the New Zealand Hockey Federation.
Boyd was also an independent director of Ngai Tahu Maori Trust for 10 years and chairman of both Shotover Jet and the New Zealand Blood Service.
He is held in high regard by his peers for his governance skills and for his unflinching commitment to best practice governance.
