Kordia is wholly-owned by the Crown but is not part of the public service. We are a state-owned enterprise (SOE), a commercial entity. Our shareholders are the Minister of Finance and the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises, on behalf of the Crown.
Increasing the value of shareholder investment shapes our business strategy. Business policies are designed to maximise the net present value (cash inflows over time, minus cash outflows) of future earnings, based on a long-term perspective of those earnings.
Although we are an SOE, we operate as a commercial entity with the purpose of making a profit.
The Kordia board have oversight of two committees: Audit, Risk & Environment and People, Wellbeing & Safety.
Sophie is a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors and has a BCom and Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from The University of Melbourne. Over her executive career, Sophie has worked with a diverse range of companies across New Zealand and Australia developing extensive M&A, innovation and growth strategy experience.
She held senior positions at Citibank NA, ANZ Investment Bank, Ernst & Young and New Zealand Post. Sophie is also Deputy Chair of CentrePort and an Independent Director of Livestock Improvement Corporation (NZX:LIC), Rangatira Investments, nib NZ and Payments NZ. Sophie is a member of Kordia's Audit, Risk & Environment and the People, Wellbeing and Safety Committees.
Ben is a globally recognised expert in cloud computing, enterprise technology and digital transformation.
Ben has consulted to many large technology vendors internationally and been called upon as a technology and business adviser to a variety of organisations. A recipient of the Sir Peter Blake leadership award, Ben currently sits on the boards of a number of organisations in New Zealand including Pegasus Health, Paenga Kupenga, CactusOutdoor, Corde Ltd and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. In addition, he is Deputy Chair of Unimed. Ben is a member of Kordia’s Audit, Risk & Environment and the People, Wellbeing & Safety Committees.
Linda is a professional company director with over 25 years governance experience, combined with 30 years senior financial management experience having worked in both the banking and energy sectors in New Zealand. Linda has been a full-time company director since 2015. Linda’s governance experience spans many industries such as banking, funds management, electricity generation retail and distribution, broadcasting services, co-operatives, local authority owned and state-owned entities and charities. She has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Diploma in Banking. Linda also holds a Sustainability and ESG Designation; and a Climate and Biodiversity Certificate. Linda is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand (INFINZ), a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Chartered Governance Professional and a Certified Fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand. Linda is the Chair of Kordia’s Audit, Risk & Environment Committee.
Nicola has over two decades of executive experience in scaling global, high-growth technology businesses including Xero, Skype and Tweetdeck. Nicola brings a strategic focus on innovation, a drive to deliver commercial results and a strong empathy for customers. She holds an M.A. in Strategic Marketing Management, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Relations, a BBS in Business and IT, and is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors. Nicola is a Director of the Real Estate Institute of NZ, Realestate.co.nz, Diabetes NZ, NZ Financial Services Group. Nicola is the Chair of Kordia's People, Wellbeing & Safety Committee and a member of Kordia's Audit, Risk & Environment committee.
Martin is a Director of MetService and Experience Wellington, the Independent Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Finance, Risk and Assurance Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee’s for Auckland Council and Whaikaha. Martin has previously held executive roles as Controller and Auditor-General, Secretary for Transport and CEO of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. He has a B.A (hons) in Economics, is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Institute of Directors. Martin is a member of Kordia’s Audit, Risk and Environment Committee.
Kent is an executive and independent director with over 15 years' experience across the energy and agriculture sectors working with a wide range of multinational companies. He is currently a National Operations Manager for Assets at Fonterra. Kent brings strategic focus and expertise in asset and risk management to the Kordia Board. He is an authentic and strategic leader focused on developing high performing teams and boards. Kent is of Ngāi Tahu Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Kahungunu descent. He holds a Bachelor of Chemical and Process Engineering as well as a Master of Engineering Management from the University of Canterbury. Kent is a member of Kordia's People, Wellbeing and Safety Committee.
Dhaya is a recognised technology leader in New Zealand with over 25 years management experience across a variety of industries including travel, hospitality, telco, payments, healthcare, financial services and agricultural technology. He is currently Chief Information Officer at dairy genetics company LIC. Dhaya has significant experience in high growth start-up businesses as well as in large corporate transformations. He currently advises early stage companies and is Chair of charitable trust Hau Tutu, aiming to increase the participation rates of Māori and Pasifika in the technology sector. Dhaya has a Bachelor of Business and brings a specific technology and product focus to the Kordia Board. He is a member of Kordia's Audit, Risk & Environment Committee.