Meet the board: Ian Fitzgerald
What was your first governance role?
Chair of a school board of trustees. It was a great learning experience about stakeholder engagements (parents are very motivated with strong views).
What is the best advice you received as a young director?
That boards are at their best when they make decisions collectively. When others have views that differ from your own, resist the temptation to put your energy into proving you are right, and they are wrong. Rather, ask yourself what they are seeing, or what are you missing that makes them reach a different conclusion.
What has given you the greatest satisfaction in your boardroom career?
Those times when faced with a tough decision, the board has had the courage to do the right thing, rather than avoid the issue by making an expedient decision.
What would be the title of your biography, and why?
“A Rich, Varied and Blessed Life” – During my lifetime there has been incredible social, political, economic, scientific, technological and environmental changes. In the 1960s, growing up in Christchurch, my world view was very narrow and Eurocentric. In the past 50 years, New Zealand’s sense of its place in the world has matured and we are now having a reinvigorated national conversation about honouring Te Tiriti. My life has been blessed in so many ways and I am excited to see what further changes will emerge from a post-pandemic world.
Who would you like to invite to dinner, and why?
It depends on if you are looking for a deep and meaningful philosophical discussion, or meeting those who have lived or are living extraordinary lives, or a group of outrageous characters for a riotous night of fun. If I had to choose, it would be my parents. Both died when I was in my mid-20s and I have so many questions I would now love to ask them.
What keeps you awake at night?
I generally sleep well, but it is my beautiful three-month-old granddaughter who is visiting.
Also see Ian's governance experience.
Read more Q&As with the IoD board