Philip Holden

About Me

“I am a widely experienced Chief Executive and Director. Earlier in my career I was Chief Executive of the Lion Foundation, later Breadcraft Limited and a range of other organisations including FMCG, sport and primary sector industry groups. I run my own consultancy and executive contracting practice with a strong interest in strategy, culture, and leadership and I am currently providing Executive support to the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association as their Executive Officer, and the Tractor and Machinery Association as General Manager. Since 2021, following a term as a Board member, I have Chaired the Greytown Lands Trust, a significant Community organisation with over $22m of assets invested for the benefit of the Greytown Community. Between 2019 and May 2024 I was a Board member, then Chair, of Cycling New Zealand, a tier one National Sports Organisation. During this time, I led it through a complex and highly successful culture change, evidenced by the outstanding success of the New Zealand cycling team at the Paris Olympics (the largest contributor to New Zealand’s medal tally). I also currently hold other governance positions – chair of Wellington Rugby, director of the Wool Research Organisation NZ, director of the Hurricanes and trustee of the NZ Wool Industry Charitable Trust. As a leader I have an open, personable, and engaging operating manner and I use this to advantage in leading teams, working with stakeholders with diverse interests and assisting others to grow and succeed. My leadership capability is underpinned with strong commercial disciplines, a principled values led approach, the ability to work with and understand financial information and to identify and manage opportunities and risks. In the Boardroom, I am a full participant and I am respectful of the distinct roles of governance and management and conscious of the fiduciary duties and the values that stem from them. I am a commerce graduate and completed my Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Auckland. I am a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. ”