Maxine Simmons on finding fresh inspiration at the Advanced Directors’ Course
Having been a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) for over 30 years, Maxine Simmons says that when it ‘came to looking for inspiration’ the organisation’s Advanced Directors’ Course was the only programme she hadn’t yet done.
“If found it very interesting,” says Simmons. “Particularly interacting with my peers on the programme, as it was very diverse in terms of the kind of organisations they were in, and hearing about the different issues they are experiencing.”
The Advanced Directors’ Course (ADC) was created for skilled directors as progression after completing IoD’s Company Directors’ Course (CDC).
The immersive three-and-a-half-day programme is based around three key themes - board leadership, cultural intelligence and climate awareness. Each day focusses on a different facet of being a director - you, your board and practical governance.
“It was very upbeat and fast tempo, which I enjoyed,” says Simmons. “There were a lot of diverse aspects. Some will resonate with some people more than others but I think it was a good balance, covering a very broad range of topics that appeal to a wide proportion of people.
“I think the most important thing I took away from it was the importance of open questions. I always thought I could do that well but I realised from the course that some of my questions may not be as open as I thought they were.”
Simmons governance career began in the 1980s when, having gained a Master of Science in biological sciences, she co-founded one of New Zealand’s first biotechnology companies. She also subsequently set up the BioCatalyst biotechnology consulting company.
That led to “getting to do all sorts of interesting things,” including serving on the boards of a number of government organisations, where she was invariably the youngest member and one of few woman.
These included Industry New Zealand - now New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Foundation for Research Science and Technology and Industrial Research Ltd.
She has also been chair of NZBIO, a New Zealand representative on the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), and executive director of Cure Kids Ventures, a seed and early stage healthtech company investment fund. She remains passionate about science commercialisation and early stage biotechnology company development.
Today, she is a director of BioCatalyst, and two diagnostic companies IGENZ and Pictor. IGENZ is a privately-owned accredited clinical laboratory delivering innovative diagnostic genomics services.
Pictor, which she chairs, is an in-vitro diagnostics company that offers a patented multiplexed platform for highly accurate and efficient testing of complex and infectious diseases for human and animal health.
“In those early roles I learned a lot about governance boards and how they operate,” she says. “I joined IoD on the recommendation of an independent director with our company, and the Government also sent me on a five-day course with IoD.”
She went on to do further programmes, finding significant value in completing the Company Directors’ Course and the pathway and exams to become a chartered member of IoD (CMInstD) – and is always eager for further professional development.
“You have to have new ways of thinking or things can get very stale. Even in a very successful business, nothing stays the same, so you have to be able to anticipate what is going to change and to be able to respond and be adaptive.”
Each ADC cohort is selected via the application process to ensure the right mix of skill sets and experience to create a strong and vibrant learning experience.
Most participants will be IoD Chartered Members with at least three years’ board experience, have already undertaken the CDC, or an international equivalent, and held positions on multiple boards of qualifying organisations for at least five years.
The programme is facilitated by a team of highly experienced directors who share their experiences, facilitate discussions and work through challenging board scenarios. The curriculum is tailored to suit the skill set, experiences and sectors of each cohort.
“The speakers were enjoyable. I liked the futurists they brought in to speak, who challenged us. I enjoy being challenged with different ways of thinking.
“I found the sessions about culture interesting, particularly the sessions about Māori approaches to governance, that was fascinating, understanding the different perspectives and the way Māori culture approaches ownership.
“It opened my mind more, about iwi but also about the various cultural aspects you come across in work.
“Our organisations are very diverse in terms of geography. If you are English-speaking it can be easy to think that culturally you align - but the way that, for instance, the British and Americans approach governance is different in some ways.
I find that increasingly and you need to know how to balance that and the many different expectations. Laws may be different but the way we approach things may be too. I appreciate that more now.”
If you are interested in knowing more about the Advanced Directors’ Course, and whether this development opportunity is right for you, contact our team on 0800 846 369.