Governance Bio
Emma Watson
Appoint Professional

Emma Watson

Location
Auckland
Experience
5 Years
Remuneration
Paid or Unpaid Roles

Interested In:

Organisations

Private company
Incorporated Entity
Charity
Community Group
Sport & Physical Recreation Orgs

Roles

Director
Advisor / Advisory Board
Board Member
Committee Member
“I am a committed board member. I bring strong commercial, finance and strategy skills gained from 25 years in global, senior executive and general management roles which can benefit an established commercial board, membership or community not-for-profit entity. I am looking for opportunities to contribute to a board and help the organisation thrive.”
Experience
Memberships

Professional

Institute of Directors

Special Interest Groups

Women In Sports
Governance Roles

Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and Board Member

Marketing Association

April 2015 - Present (4 years)

The Marketing Association is the industry body for Marketing in New Zealand, educating, inspiring and advising a community of marketing and business professionals. I am also Chair of the Finance and Audit Sub Committee.

Apprentice Director

Fronde

May 2014 - May 2015 (1 years)

Fronde is a NZ$50m IT services and solutions provider operating in Australia and New Zealand. In this role I participated in all Board Meetings, and learned from experienced Directors including Jon Mayson (Chairman), Sandy Maier, Wayne Norrie and Greg Cross. I led a board project, working with the CEO and CFO, to improve board reporting and develop forward-looking, metric-driven papers.

Director

CCH New Zealand Ltd

April 2004 - January 2014 (9 years)

CCH is a subsidiary of multi-national information services business, Wolters Kluwer nv. Managed under delegated authority within the Asia Pacific business unit, it has turnover of NZ$15m and employs approx. 90 people providing software for accounting firms and publishing online legal information for professionals. I was a Director for ten years during a period of significant change, including restructuring, offshoring, acquisition and divestment of businesses. I was the Managing Director leading the business unit until Dec 2010, and subsequently a non-executive Director.

Treasurer

Auckland Parents Centre

December 2000 - April 2004 (3 years)

Auckland Central Parents Centre is an Incorporated Society which provides ante-natal and post-natal education. As Treasurer I was responsible for the books and records of the Society, preparation of monthly reports for Committee meetings, organisation of annual audit and I also worked with the President on successful grant applications.

Executive Roles

Chief Operating Officer

Fronde

March 2015 - Present (4 years)

Fronde provides Cloud Computing solutions and IT services to enterprise and public sector clients in New Zealand and Australia. Starting with Fronde as an external consultant in an Interim CFO role, then taking on a CCO role, I now head up Fronde's Operational, Commercial and Finance functions, ensuring that we deliver great outcomes for customers from our technology solutions and also that we deliver long term shareholder value for Fronde.

National Chair

Springboard NZ

December 2014 - June 2015 (6 months)

Springboard encourages and develops the next generation of New Zealand directors and promotes age diversity around the board table. Had 3,000+ members. Role involved working with our voluntary teams in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to provide our member community with events, professional development and opportunities for governance experience.

Principal

Effectivity Consulting

September 2014 - April 2016 (1 years)

Effectivity Consulting is a business performance improvement practice, providing support and facilitation for employee engagement, user-centred design, strategy development and strategic planning, portfolio performance review and change transition projects.

Asia Pacific Director - Strategy, Innovation and Technology

Wolters Kluwer Asia Pacific

January 2011 - January 2014 (3 years)

Operating throughout Asia Pacific, and headquartered in Sydney, the business provides online legal information and tax and accounting software, has turnover of AU$100m and employs 700 people. Key highlights: • Delivered four acquisitions in target market segments providing 13% revenue growth • Led the annual strategic planning process and, with the CEO, developed and refined the overarching strategic direction for the Asia Pacific region • Implemented Customer Loyalty, Data Strategy and Innovation programmes

Managing Director

CCH New Zealand Ltd

April 2004 - December 2010 (6 years)

CCH New Zealand is a subsidiary business unit of Wolters Kluwer Asia Pacific. During my leadership of the business it had turnover of NZ$12m and up to 90 employees. Key highlights: • Led the New Zealand team during tough conditions in the publishing market – delivering a turnaround in financial performance from negative to modest positive revenue growth and 100% improvement in profitability • Managed restructuring and offshoring of editorial and back office functions to Malaysia

Financial Controller

CCH New Zealand Ltd

May 2001 - April 2004 (2 years)

Scope of this role included IT, customer services and office management as well as Finance. During this time I promoted knowledge and accountability for business results amongst the management team though training, reporting and a transparent and inclusive budget and strategic planning processes.

Consultant

Self Employed

September 1998 - November 2000 (2 years)

Senior finance contract roles before and after moving to New Zealand, including large law firm, Meredith Connell, in Auckland and The Times and The Observer newspapers in London.

Senior Finance Roles

Various

August 1993 - September 1998 (5 years)

After six years in a professional accounting firm I held several senior finance roles in an entrepreneurial private company and also with Reed Books, then a division of Reed Elsevier plc. In these roles I prepared financial reports for senior management and also the board.

Chartered Accountant/Auditor

Haines Watts Chartered Accountants

August 1987 - August 1993 (6 years)

Haines Watts is a medium sized, highly commercial, accounting firm in the UK. I trained, qualified and gained broad business advisory experience with the firm, working with management and the board of small businesses and listed companies alike.

Education

New Zealand Institute of Directors

Chartered Member, Governance

2017 - 2017

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Chartered Accountant, Accounting

1987 - 1991