What makes a director independent and why does it matter?

Shareholders should want to be sure directors are aligned with their interests, Oliver Mander said. (Image: Getty)

Wed, 19 Mar 2025

What distinguishes an independent and non-independent director can be self-evident. Rod Duke, the managing director of Briscoe Group, its deputy chair, and its largest shareholder, is clearly not independent.However, when expatriate businessman Jim Grenon proposed replacing NZME’s board and nominated himself and three others at the coming annual general meeting in April, the company indicated it had some due diligence to do. In an update to shareholders about the director nomination, NZME chair Barbara Chapman said the...

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