The Tonkin + Taylor Group Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Vanessa Stoddart as the new Board Chair.
The Board celebrate the addition of Stoddart’s multi-sector governance experience, wide-ranging proven involvement, knowledge of growth opportunities, commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and understanding of shareholder-owned businesses.
Stoddart says, “I look forward to being part of this well-established professional company, ensuring it is well governed, and supporting the Tonkin + Taylor team to deliver world-class services through outstanding client relationships. My professional legal background, executive experience in operations, including engineering, on both sides of the Tasman, and extensive governance career in the public and private sector, I hope will be of assistance to the Tonkin + Taylor team. It is a privilege to be joining you.
Tonkin + Taylor Group Managing Director Tim Fisher says, “Vanessa joins us with a wealth of experience across many types of businesses and sectors across Australasia, as well as her governance skills, and relationship-building excellence. These will be tremendous assets to Tonkin + Taylor Group for our continued success in 2025 and beyond.”
Dr Jim Mather has acted as Interim Chair of the Board since mid-2024 and will continue as an independent director.
“We welcome Vanessa Stoddart to the Board at a pivotal time for Tonkin + Taylor Group and we’re confident she will be an outstanding Chair,” Mather says.
“As Interim Chair, I was committed to ensuring that the Board appointed a knowledgeable and proven leader, with relevant senior executive and governance leadership experience. We can now look to the future with renewed confidence”.
Fisher says, “We thank Jim for taking on the extra responsibility of Interim Chair for much of 2024. Jim has brought a calm hand to the ship to help us through more challenging markets and led us to make the excellent appointment of Vanessa. Ngā mihi nui e te rangatira.”
About Vanessa Stoddart
Stoddart (BCom/LLB (Hons), PGDip Professional Ethics, GAICD, CFInstD) is a Director for Channel Infrastructure, Waste Management and international forestry company OneFortyOne, and sits on several advisory and not-for-profit boards.
She has held governance positions with other listed, private, public sector and cooperative entities in New Zealand and Australia, and chaired many health, safety and people committees.
Before moving into governance, Stoddart was Air New Zealand’s head of engineering and human resources and Carter Holt Harvey Packaging Australia’s chief executive.
A member of Global Women and a mentor for Kupe Scholarship candidates and Multiethnic Young Leaders, Stoddart is passionate about inclusion. She is a Companion of Engineering NZ and an Honorary Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.
Read more about Tonkin + Taylor’s Board and Leadership
