Top 200 : QBE Chairperson of the Year Geoff Ricketts, Chairperson of Lion Nathan – Strong returns and integrity

Auckland-based Geoff Ricketts has served on the board of brewer Lion Nathan since 1988 and took over as chairman in 2001. Closely associated with the recent history of the company, he brings considerable group institutional knowledge and experience in commercial law, mergers and acquisitions and governance to the board.
Ricketts’ philosophy is to deliver strong returns for shareholders while conducting the business in line with deeply held values of integrity and doing the right thing for the long-term health of the business, the environment and the societies in which Lion Nathan operates.
Ricketts was born in Auckland, and educated at Sacred Heart College and the University of Auckland, where he gained his LLB in 1970. He became partner in legal firm Russell McVeagh in 1973, rising to become senior partner before he retired to become consultant to the firm in 2000.
He is one of the most widely respected and well connected business leaders in New Zealand, chairman of Lion Nathan and involved with several other boards including Promina, the Spotless Group and the Todd Corporation. He was, until recently, chairperson of Royal and Sun Alliance, New Zealand.
Ricketts has particularly strong service ethic, including his being key member of the Auckland Catholic Diocesan Advisory Board. He is a strong supporter of the arts and charitable activities in Auckland and is also trustee of the Business in the Community mentor scheme.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS
WINNER
Geoff Ricketts
Best known for his chairmanship of Lion Nathan, Geoff Ricketts is considered one of New Zealand’s best commercial chairmen. He is astute, articulate, has wealth of commercial knowledge and is well liked for his analytical skills, leadership capabilities and commitment to best practice governance. No one would question Ricketts’ commercial acumen or the benefit he brings to the organisations he serves. The benefits come from his wealth of business experience garnered in New Zealand and Australia. To CEOs he works with, he’s the best in the business. An outstanding director and chairman whose reputation among his peers is second to none.

FINALIST
Brian Corban
Brian Corban is change agent chairman and community leader. He is the epitome of professional director – deeply knowledgeable about governance, principled, ethical, committed to the community and the country’s economy, and responsible for bringing best practice governance to many of New Zealand’s state-owned and crown enterprises. Highly respected by his peers.

FINALIST
Tony Gibbs
When it comes to bold and different, Tony Gibbs is stand-out. He is forthright, strategically shrewd, often courageous and right on the button when it comes to commercial considerations. He is meticulous with respect to stock exchange disclosure and always looks to add value to business. He is also compliance focused when it comes to governance practice.