Govn365 Webinars

Governing Risk in an Increasingly Complex World

New Zealand organisations face two key challenges: low levels of governance maturity and a limited understanding of risk management. Without strong governance, organisations struggle to implement effective enterprise risk management (ERM) processes, making it difficult to anticipate risks and keep strategy on track. The pace of change has increased these pressures, and boards must now actively understand and manage risk appetite to navigate this complex environment.

What role should the board play in defining and applying risk appetite? Are boards regularly reviewing their risk appetite as the business environment shifts? How can organisations bring meaning to risk appetite, ensuring it’s more than just a theoretical concept? Do board members spend enough time reflecting on their capacity for risk, and what scenarios might push them beyond that limit? What are the warning signs of an unhealthy appetite for risk? How should the board prepare for extraordinary risks?

In this webinar, we explored the essential components of measuring risk appetite and how to continuously review and adapt it to best position your organization for success. Watch the webinar recording to learn how to elevate your governance and ERM processes to actively manage risks in an increasingly uncertain world.

Unlocking Leadership Potential

Govn365 CEO Gerry Lynch hosted an impactful webinar featuring Mike Bennetts, the founding Chief Executive of Z Energy. In Unlocking Leadership Potential, Mike shared his strategies for developing leadership within teams and organizations. Drawing from his extensive experience, including leading Z Energy through major corporate milestones, Mike offered insights on aligning teams, building trust, and driving extraordinary outcomes.

In this webinar, Mike discussed fostering leadership in diverse and cross-cultural settings, navigating complex challenges such as aligning diverse groups, building trust between boards and executive teams, and creating high-performance teams in large organizations.

Whether you are an aspiring leader, an experienced executive, or someone responsible for leadership development within your organisation, this webinar provided insights to help you and your team achieve outcomes beyond profit.

Diversity of Thought in Leadership

Govn365 CEO Gerry Lynch hosted an insightful webinar with Dr. Juliet Bourke, a distinguished professor and global workplace advisor with extensive experience in governance and thought leadership. Dr. Bourke is a Professor of Practice in the School of Management and Governance at UNSW Business School, a renowned TEDx speaker, and a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review. She has received numerous global awards, including recognition as one of Australia’s Top 100 Women of Influence and a Top 100 Global HR Influencer.

In this webinar, Gerry Lynch explored the role of diversity of thought in enhancing the effectiveness of executive teams and boards. Dr. Bourke shared insights from her latest research, real-life examples of diverse thinking, and practical strategies for improving decision-making quality. Participants discovered how understanding and fostering their team’s diversity of thought can lead to significant improvements in leadership and organisational success.

This was a valuable opportunity to learn from Dr. Juliet Bourke’s wealth of knowledge and gain actionable strategies to enhance team performance. Watch the recording to discover how to drive your organisation's success through the power of diverse thinking.

Building Emotionally Intelligence Executives and Boards

Join Govn365 CEO Gerry Lynch for a compelling webinar with Fiona Michel, an experienced executive with extensive experience in governance across various sectors, including technology, banking, insurance, health, and more. Fiona holds an MBA from the University of Auckland, is an alumna of Harvard Business School, and a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors. Currently, she is the Chief Executive of Braemar Hospital and an Independent Director for New Zealand Medical Indemnity Insurance.

Fiona Michel’s rich career and numerous accolades, including her recognition in the 2021 Westpac Women of Influence Awards, underscore her expertise in human resources, leadership, culture, ethics, and industrial relations. Her deep understanding of emotional intelligence (EI) makes her a valuable resource for executives aiming to enhance their leadership skills.

In this webinar, Gerry Lynch explores the critical role of emotional intelligence in building effective executive teams and boards. Fiona shares real-life examples of emotionally intelligent teams alongside strategies for building trust within teams, achieving alignment between the board and executive team, and recognising and addressing emotional cues in teams and boards. 

The CFO's Secrets: Insider Top Tips to Maximise Your Company's Value

Enhance your strategic insight with an exclusive webinar featuring Gerry Lynch, CEO of Govn365, as he interviews Paul Roberts from The CFO Ltd. With a wealth of over 30 years in senior finance roles across multiple sectors, Paul brings unparalleled expertise from his experience with both small enterprises and multinational corporations. As a fellowship member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Paul's dedication to business growth and strategic financial leadership is exceptional.

This webinar is designed to provide business owners executives with critical insights into maximising company value through effective financial strategies. Paul will delve into his methodical approach to business assessment, highlighting the key questions and indicators he uses to evaluate financial health. He will also reveal common pitfalls that can undermine value and increase risk, offering practical advice to steer clear of these errors.

Attackers and Hackers: A Blueprint for Cyber Resilience

Join Govn365 CEO Gerry Lynch in conversation with Simon Howard, the Chief Technology Officer and founding member of Bastion Security, a leading New Zealand cybersecurity consultancy. With over two decades of experience spanning various domains within the IT industry, Simon brings a wealth of expertise in security engineering, architecture, management, and strategy to the table.

In this exclusive webinar, Simon will delve into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, shedding light on the critical need for cyber resilience in today's digital age. As cybersecurity oversight takes centre stage for Boards worldwide, Simon will highlight the importance of proactive measures beyond mere awareness.

Drawing from his extensive experience, Simon will unravel the complex world of cyber threats, decoding the motives and techniques employed by attackers targeting organisations. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into identifying and mitigating cyber risks effectively.

Moreover, Simon will equip directors and executives with practical strategies to navigate the cybersecurity realm, empowering them to pose the right questions and hold management accountable without getting lost in technical jargon.

Risking Rigidity: Exposing the Flaws in Traditional Strategic Thinking

Join us for an eye-opening webinar "Risking Rigidity: Exposing the Flaws in Traditional Strategic Thinking," where Gerry Lynch, CEO of Govn365, and David Turner, CEO of RiskNZ, will engage in a dynamic conversation with leading strategist JP Castlin.


JP Castlin is globally recognised for his expertise in strategy, leadership, and organisational complexity. With a background in corporate governance and strategy consulting, JP is hailed as a prominent voice in the strategic management realm. He is the creator of the ABCDE framework, an acclaimed author, and an international keynote speaker.

During the webinar, Gerry and David will delve into critical questions surrounding strategy and enterprise risk management. From defining good strategy versus bad strategy to exploring the role of hypothesis and test and learns, JP will share invaluable insights garnered from his extensive experience. Attendees can expect to gain practical advice on crafting effective strategies, aligning them with organisational goals, and navigating the complexities of risk management.

Global Trends: The Growing Link Between Good Governance and Organisation Performance

Join us for our webinar, "Global Trends: The Growing Link Between Good Governance and Organisational Performance," where Gerry Lynch, CEO of Govn365, sits down with governance expert Carolynn Chalmers. CEO of Good Governance Academy, Carolynn brings a wealth of experience and insights from her extensive background in global governance, corporate governance, IT governance, and leadership.

In this discussion, Carolynn will delve into current global governance trends, shedding light on the evolving landscape of governance practices and standards. Drawing from her vast expertise, she will explore the crucial link between good governance and organisational performance, highlighting the tangible benefits of effective governance structures and practices.

Shifting Culture: Rethinking Organisation Values

Join us for a transformative webinar hosted by Govn365 CEO Gerry Lynch, featuring esteemed guest speaker Michael Henderson. In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, traditional values and approaches may no longer suffice. Our webinar, "Shifting Culture: Rethinking Organisation Values", will challenge conventional wisdom and inspire a new era of leadership.

Meet Our Speaker:

With over four decades of experience and a track record of 300+ successful culture transformation projects, Michael Henderson is a seasoned Corporate Anthropologist who strategically moulds organisational cultures using anthropological insights. As a distinguished keynote speaker and educator, he emphasises the significance of understanding, evolving, and optimising culture.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights from Michael Henderson and reinvigorate your approach to leadership, values, and talent management. Stay ahead of the curve – Unlock your culture's potential with Michael's expertise.

The Game Changer: Strategy for the Courageous

Join us for an exhilarating journey into the world of strategy like you've never experienced before! In our upcoming webinar, "The Game Changer: Strategy for the Courageous," we invite you to explore a fresh perspective on strategy development that dares to defy convention.

Hosted by Govn365 Chief Executive Gerry Lynch, this insightful conversation will feature the brilliant Dr. Jason Fox, a leading expert in the realm of narrative strategy. Dr. Fox's approach is nothing short of revolutionary, and he's here to challenge the status quo and inspire courageous thinking in the realm of strategic planning.

In a world where the landscape of business, government, and innovation is constantly shifting, the need for bold, innovative strategies has never been greater. Dr. Fox will guide us through the exciting terrain of narrative strategy, demonstrating how quests, leadership and courage can be harnessed as a powerful tool to shape the future of organisations and government initiatives.

Unlocking the “S” in ESG: A Deep Dive into Social Impact

 Join us for an enlightening webinar as our CE Gerry Lynch, alongside Rob Campbell, delve into the often overlooked but profoundly significant 'S' in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. While environmental and governance factors have dominated ESG conversations, the social pillar is emerging as a critical aspect in today's rapidly changing socio-economic landscape. This webinar will provide attendees with a further understanding of social factors and their undeniable influence on long-term business sustainability and profitability.

Discover how forward-thinking businesses prioritise social metrics alongside traditional financial markers. Learn why a company's treatment of its employees, its stance on inclusivity, and its broader community engagement can dramatically impact its bottom line.

Whether you're an investor, business leader, or simply an ESG enthusiast, this webinar will offer invaluable insights into how the social dimension can no longer by ignored. Embrace the future of ESG by unlocking the transformative potential of the 'S'. 

Making Sense of Mental Wellbeing at Work: Obligations and Opportunities

Mental wellbeing can be a difficult topic to discuss and an even trickier area to navigate. There are few ways to identify wellbeing risks and it's hard to know whether you’re making progress. And whilst it often falls within an organisations health and safety area, how its managed, mitigated and progressed can look quite different. 

In this webinar, Govn365 CEO Gerry Lynch will sit down with renowned mental wellbeing expert Hillary Bennett to discuss what directors and executives can be doing to understand, track, and minimise organisational mental wellbeing risks.

Effective Boardroom Leadership: From Conflict to Consensus

Any high performing team requires trust, commitment to each other and the collective goal, and efficient teamwork. Boards and directors are no exception to this. Each member has a role to play in maintaining a psychologically safe environment that fosters trust, free speech, and cohesion. In theory, this is easy, but making it work in practice is much harder. Whose responsibility is it to set the tone and manage board member dynamics? And what can be done when things go a little pear-shaped?

In this webinar, Govn365 CEO Gerry Lynch will speak with Dr. Peter Crow about how to navigate difficult team dynamics in even the most trying situations. Pulling from real-world experiences in both chairing and advising boards, Peter offers insights and tips to help directors work productively as a team and move from conflict to consensus.

Webinar: Why businesses fail and what you can learn

Was it really the fall in coal prices that sank Solid Energy? Why did Pumpkin Patch collapse? Why do over 2000 small businesses go into liquidation every year in New Zealand?

In this webinar Gerry Lynch, CEO of Govn365, will chat with Bob Weir about his research on why businesses fail and the key learnings he uncovered along the way.

Join them on this journey through the failures of kiwi businesses and our irrational minds. While failures were caused by factors such as excessive debt, no cash, external forces, weak governance, poor skills, failure to pay taxes and more, all can be linked back to the decisions people did or did not make.

Bob Weir is a former company executive with 25 years in engineering, leadership and management roles across Australia, New Zealand and other countries. His book, why businesses fail, is backed by extensive research from leading academics, interviews with CEOs, CFOs and board members from failed businesses and includes discussions with journalists, fraudsters, insolvency experts, official information requests and so much more.