Announcing New Zealand’s CFO of the Year

12 March 2015

Announcing New Zealand’s CFO of the Year

Foodstuffs North Island Limited chief financial officer, David Stewart was named CFO of the Year in the 2015 CFO Awards in Auckland tonight.

David played an integral role in the successful merger of the two cooperatives, Foodstuffs Auckland and Foodstuffs Wellington, resulting in substantial savings in overheads and a new entity with $7billion of revenue and a strong balance sheet.

The judges described Stewart as an astute CFO who thinks strategically and executes successfully.

“We were impressed not only by the results, but by the way David achieved them,” explains Awards judge Chye Heng, CFO and Executive Director of Beca Group Limited. “He established credibility and trust with key stakeholders and acted transparently in the interests of both cooperatives, displaying a wonderful blend of confidence, competence and humility.”

The 2015 CFO Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals, teams and financial projects of the past year. This year’s winners:

CFO of the Year: David Stewart, Foodstuffs North Island Ltd

Finance Team of the Year: Genesis Energy

Outstanding Contribution to Finance and Business: Dr Murray Horn

Young Financial Manager of the Year: Jing Liu, Westpac

Financial Innovation Project of the Year: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

SME Financial Leader of the Year: Keiran Andersen, My Food Bag

Contribution to Community Award: Mark Conelly (CFO, The Warehouse)

The successful $738m IPO listing on the NZX - the largest listing of 2014 - is a key factor in Genesis Energy winning the Finance Team of the Year award. The Genesis team was able to manage the complexities of the IPO against a backdrop of investor indifference. The judges commended the team’s innovative approach to the presentation of financial and risk information - and its shift from retrospective reporting function to a proactive, forward looking team that’s a genuine partner within the organisation.

Young Financial Manager of the Year, Westpac’s Jing Liu was commended by the judges for her infectious enthusiasm, focus on teamwork and commitment to process excellence. Part of the company’s regulatory risk team, Jing has standardised risk management and training processes, and improved coordination between Westpac business units, Westpac NZ and Westpac Group.

The Financial Innovation Project of the Year went to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare for its use of Lean-Sigma techniques, connecting the finance team to the operations of the company, driving efficiency and performance.

Keiran Andersen, CFO of New Zealand grocery delivery company My Food Bag takes the SME Financial Leader of the Year Award. Keiran has employed her experience with a major multinational and brought process and rigor to a successful entrepreneurial company.

This year’s Contribution to Community Award was awarded to Mark Conelly, CFO of The Warehouse. Mark has 30 years’ involvement with a range of community service groups and charities - including CanTeen and the Child Cancer Foundation. In his role at The Warehouse, he encourages team members to use their skills to contribute to the community.

Former bank boss, top civil servant and health advocate, Dr Murray Horn received the Outstanding Contribution to Finance and Business award. Recognised for his considerable and wide ranging service to New Zealand, Murray has achieved a great deal in his career to date and has made a significant contribution to the New Zealand finance and business community.

The judges congratulated all finalists on the high calibre of their entries in the 2015 Awards.

The NZ CFO Summit and Awards, managed by Fairfax Media and Conferenz, is the pre-eminent gathering of CFOs and finance professionals. This year’s Summit focused on the transformation of the CFO role with an inspiring line-up of international keynote speakers including John Goodwin, CFO of LEGO Group, as well as New Zealand finance and business experts.

ENDS

About Fairfax Media

Fairfax Media is an innovative, integrated multi-media business with strong brands across multiple platforms including newspapers, magazines and digital.

Fairfax Media has two national, nine daily and more than 60 community newspapers, 25+ magazines, and market leading website, stuff.co.nz.

Notes to editors:

2015 CFO Awards Finalists

CFO of the Year, sponsored by EY

Richard Keys, Abano Healthcare Limited

Gavin Parker, Kiwi Income Property Trust

David Stewart, Foodstuffs North Island Ltd

Finance Team of the Year, sponsored by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Chorus

Genesis Energy

Kiwi Income Property Trust

Young Financial Manager of the Year, sponsored by ASB

Rowan Cramond, Waikato District Health Board

Jing Liu, Westpac

Charles Widdicombe, Foodstuffs North Island Ltd

Financial Innovation Project of the Year, sponsored by TechnologyOne

Auckland Council

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

Genesis Energy

Westpac

SME Financial Leader of the Year

Keiran Andersen, My Food Bag

Malcolm Davidson, Epicurean Dairy Limited

Brent Norrish, Auto Logistics

Contribution to Community

Mark Conelly, The Warehouse

Vanassa McGoldrick, Henderson Reeves Connell Rishworth

Susan Tremlett, Arran Chartered Accountants

© Scoop Media