New season of Board Matters 2025

In the new season of Board Matters you'll hear about the top issues facing directors in 2025 and the impacts they'll have on decision making.

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Article
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By Sonia Yee, Senior Content Writer, IoD
date
24 Apr 2025
read time
2 min to read
New season of Board Matters 2025

The new season of Board Matters launches on 30 April. 

Over five episodes, Steven Moe explores some of the top issues facing boards in 2025, and digs deep on topics such as return on capital, climate as a competitive edge, the need to adapt rapidly to new technology, and the importance of a high performing chair. Plus, the long- and short-term impacts for directors and how these will inform decisions at the board table. 

Paul Reid features in episode one of Board Matters S4

In episode one, Paul Reid MInstD discusses the red flags in board meetings, why there isn’t one style or approach for a high-performing chair, his experience of being on the board of Pukeko Pictures, and what it means to govern in a creative industry.  

He says one of the biggest lessons he’s learnt as a chair is adaptability. 

“One style, one approach, one governance model just doesn't work, particularly when you're dealing internationally. So that really flows back into not only your adaptability, but your cognitive ability as well. That's something I really focus on.” 

Helen van Orton MInstD explores AI as a co-pilot and the need for a human lens, in episode two. She shares her tips to use AI effectively in preparation for board meetings and the parameters that need to be set to safeguard sensitive information. 

In episode three, Kate Bromfield CMInstD delves into sustainability and climate, and why it’s possible for businesses to be sustainable while making a profit. 

“There is some pain that has to be gone through to transition your business into that sustainable business model, and that is really hard for small to medium enterprises,” she says. 

Mike Sang features in episode four of Board Matters S4

Mike Sang takes listeners into the ‘hive mind’ in episode four.  

Rearing queen bees and the cyclical nature of honey production is a topic of conversation in episode four with Mike Sang CMinstD, who draws parallels with boards and productivity, attracting great talent and working towards a common goal. 

“Bees work together for a common purpose. . . sort of one team, one hive type mentality, which is key to business today. And the more pressure businesses are under, the more change they're having to do to work together collectively and constructively, and in an engaged and useful way. It just becomes more and more important,” he says.  

In the final episode, inspirational entrepreneur Ben Irving tells the backstory of working towards a greater vision that impacted the community as a high school student, governing technology, growing a business and making sense of risk. 

“I've gone through these different learning opportunities and . . .collected a toolbox of what's worked, and what hasn't. It’s given me the confidence to have some more direct and courageous conversations around talking about possibilities, especially around risk and uncertainty.” 

Season 4 of Board Matters launches Wednesday 30 April with new episodes weekly. 

Listen to the episodes as they drop here or subscribe on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.