Kordia names Tong as Future Director

Australasian broadcast and telecommunications services company Kordia has appointed Simon Tong to sit on its board under the Future Directors scheme, an initiative aimed at deepening the talent pool of directors. 

Administered by the Institute of Directors, Future Directors was founded by Sir Stephen Tindall, Michael Stiassny and Des Hunt in 2013. It provides talented executives with the opportunity to gain valuable experience by sitting at the board table of a large or listed New Zealand company for one year. 

Institute of Directors CEO Simon Arcus says the Future Directors programme offers real value for both host boards and successful candidates.  

“The next generation of directors receive mentoring, advice and practical insight into the boardroom, while host boards get a new perspective and expertise on emerging issues like sustainability and social media.”

Mr Tong, currently Managing Director of Fairfax Media, has an extensive background in technology leadership roles, something Kordia Chair Lorraine Witten says will add value to its board.

 “We're into media distribution and telecommunications, so having Simon join our board will provide us with helpful and insightful discussions around strategy and where media in particular is going. We understand a more diverse board and leadership is likely to lead to a better performing company.”

“This is  an exciting opportunity for me to learn from leading directors, to observe boardroom dynamics; and prepare for a greater role in governance moving forward,” Mr Tong says.

The IoD works with one of several leading search firms or, in this case, its own DirectorSearch service to refine the search and recommend potential Future Directors.  Candidates are taken from the Future Directors database as well as from the IoD’s own database of its members.

Kordia board members were shortlisted and interviewed from a strong long list of potential and aspiring directors. 

Now in its fourth year, the programme has placed 18 Future Directors on boards of leading New Zealand companies, with a further six placements in progress. 

“Future Directors is a fantastic opportunity for developing the pipeline in governance,” says Ms Witten. “We’re very proud to be involved and can’t speak highly enough of the whole process.”