Meet the board: Julia Hoare
What was your first governance role?
It was with a smaller NZX-listed company, then called AWF Limited, now Accordant Group. I had been a PwC partner for 20 years and being interviewed for board roles was an unnerving experience. I was fortunate to have the great support of my IoD Mentoring for Diversity mentor, Graeme Hawkins, along with AWF chair Ross Keenan, who took a big leap of faith, given I had no governance experience. Of course, we all have to start somewhere.
What is the best advice you received as a young director?
Be prepared. Listen well (as the saying goes, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason”). Be constructive. And always be respectful. If you’ve done your homework, there’s no such thing as a silly question. And finally, don’t take the oxygen from the room if the issue that’s top of your mind has already been canvassed by others around the table. Save your voice for those real questions which have not been asked or answered. And remember, you’re working on the business, not in it.
What has given you the greatest satisfaction in your boardroom career?
Being appointed as the chair of Port of Tauranga. It is a great company with an excellent management team and board. It is a real privilege to hold this role.
What would be the title of your biography, and why?
“Let’s talk about it on the weekend”. Big decisions and big issues often need decent percolation, energy and strategic thought to land the best outcomes. Although great perspectives can be spontaneously shared and often quick decisions are required, on the big stuff I find that time and grind is needed to make sure the answers are right. “Let’s talk about it on the weekend” is a phrase I’ve used throughout my life when I’ve felt that I need that time to reflect.
Who would you like to invite to dinner, and why?
I have chosen a table of six. In no particular order, my guests comprise Angela Merkel, who grew up as an East German pastor’s daughter and rose to be a world leader who has stuck to her values. Roger Federer, not only for his incredible feats on the tennis court but who matched this with a steely determination and mental fortitude and became a great role model. And Bruce Plested, who I’ve never met, but is an extraordinarily successful Kiwi. He has created a truly iconic international business whose performance is without peer … and I love the slogans on the trucks! My other guests are my two children, Rachel and Cameron, now both in their twenties. It’s vital for the younger generation to listen and learn, as well as contributing their perspective.
What keeps you awake at night?
I am fortunate to work with great companies and talented individuals who make a difference. That certainly aids in a good night’s sleep. My concerns are broader. How can we ensure we leave New Zealand in a more prosperous and cohesive state? There’s still lots of work to be done in these areas. And let’s not forget the enormity of the challenge that climate change poses. The world, and indeed New Zealand, has been consumed by the Covid-19 battle, but the real global war we must win is against climate change so our fragile planet is inhabitable by future generations. It’s that serious.
Also see Julia's governance experience.