Governance

Dean Hamilton  BCA, CMINSTD
CHAIR

Dean joined the Board in June 2023, and assumed the role of Chair on 1 August 2023. On 22 April 2024 he assumed the role of Executive Chair while the search for a new Group CEO was underway. He resumed the role of Chair on 29 November 2024, following a period of handover with CEO Naomi James. He has an extensive background in governance, large company leadership and financial markets, across both New Zealand and Australia. He is currently Chair of trans-Tasman civil contractor Fulton Hogan and holds director roles at Auckland International Airport and The Warehouse Group.

Paula Jeffs  BA, GRAD DIP (IR), GAICD, CAHRI
DIRECTOR

Paula joined the Board in 2019. She is a Melbourne-based executive, currently holding the position of EGM People and Transformation at Melbourne Water. She brings with her more than 25 years’ experience leading culture, capability and safety in organisations across the healthcare and finance sectors. Early in her working life, Paula spent several years as a carer in the aged and disability sector.

Anthony Leighs  NZCB, CFINSTD, NZIOB FELLOW
DIRECTOR

Anthony joined the Board in 2018. Based in Christchurch, he is also a director of Leighs Construction, which he founded in 1992 and built into one of New Zealand’s leading commercial construction contractors. He is a former Chair of the New Zealand Registered Master Builders Association.

Claire Higgins  BCOM, FCPA, FAICD
DIRECTOR

Claire joined the Board in 2014 and was appointed interim Chair in November 2022, relinquishing this role on 1 August 2023. Based in Victoria, Claire brings experience in a range of sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Claire is Chair of REI Superannuation and GMHBA and is a director in the medical device sector.

James Miller  BCOM, AMP HBS
DIRECTOR

James joined the Board in June 2023. He has extensive knowledge in both Audit and Risk and financial markets and is also the current Chair of Channel Infrastructure and a director of Mercury NZ and Vista Group. James was previously chair of NZX.

Kate Munnings  LLB, AMP INSEAD
DIRECTOR

Kate joined the Board in November 2023. Based in Australia, she was most recently Chief Executive at Virtus Healthcare and holds extensive experience across the construction, law and healthcare sectors. She is a former Partner at law firm Baker Mackenzie and is currently the Chair of Digital Health CRC in Australia.

David Pitman  BEng (Aero, Hons), MBA, MAICD
DIRECTOR

David joined the Board on 1 May 2024. Based in Sydney, he has over 35 years’ experience in general, operational and financial management, strategy development and M&A. As a Group Executive at Stockland for more than six years, he led Group Strategy and was the CEO of Stockland Retirement Living. He is a former Partner with Boston Consulting Group and also served as the firm’s Global Finance Director, based in Boston.

Scott Pritchard  
DIRECTOR

Scott joined the Board in 2024. Based in Auckland, Scott has been CEO of Precinct Properties since 2010, New Zealand’s largest owner, developer, and manager of premium real estate in Auckland and Wellington. Scott has extensive experience in property development, property funds management and asset management. Scott also serves as the Independent Chair of the Auckland Council City Centre Advisory Panel and is a Trustee of the Tania Dalton Foundation. Scott was previously a Board member of Property Council New Zealand for 14 years and Chair for four of those years.