Deloitte Top 200 Winners Announced for 2019

MEDIA RELEASE –  5 December 2019

Deloitte Top 200 Winners Announced for 2019

Mainfreight’s Don Braid has reinforced his reputation as one of New Zealand’s most successful executives, being named Executive of the Decade at the 2019 Deloitte Top 200 Awards in Auckland tonight (5 December 2019). Mainfreight was also named Company of the Year, sponsored by Deloitte Digital and Marsh.

Chosen from New Zealand’s top companies, this year’s Deloitte Top 200 award winners and finalists have been recognised for their focus on shaping the future; led by executives thriving on the opportunities presented by innovation and globalisation.

In other awards this evening Mercury CEO Fraser Whineray was awarded Chief Executive of the Year, sponsored by Deloitte and ServiceNow, while Dame Fran Wilde was named Visionary Leader sponsored by NZ Herald Premium.

Awarding the Executive of the Decade to Don Braid, judging panel convenor New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) Head of Business Content Fran O’Sullivan said, “The judges were unanimous that amongst a group of other high-performing CEOs over the past decade, Don Braid stood out as the most deserving of this recognition. Mainfreight has demonstrated that a company founded on kiwi values can succeed with a focus on people and hard work. Leading the way has been Don Braid.”

Naming Braid’s Mainfreight, Company of the Year, judge Neil Paviour-Smith commented, “Mainfreight reported one of the standout performances of the 2019 year with strong growth in operating earnings in the international regions it operates in.”

Chief Executive of the Year Fraser Whineray has shown “an excellent track record, having delivered record earnings for Mercury along with solid dividend growth. Fraser is highly regarded and is motivated to contribute to New Zealand’s long-term success, ” said Neil Paviour-Smith.

Awarding the Visionary Leader accolade to Dame Fran Wilde, Judge Dame Alison Paterson said, “Dame Fran is a truly remarkable leader who has been absolutely instrumental in helping lead New Zealand’s course with her tremendous vision, bold leadership and proven ability to get things done.”

Given the focus on businesses shaping the future, the Sustainable Business Leadership accolade awarded to Air New Zealand, sponsored by MinterEllisonRuddWatts, carries a special significance in 2019. “More so than ever, organisations that successfully balance all stakeholder needs will be those that thrive into the future” said Deloitte Chief Executive Thomas Pippos.

Reflecting on the 30-year history of the Deloitte Top 200 Awards, Thomas Pippos said, “The calibre of businesses and their ability to deliver to their communities and stakeholders has improved significantly over the past three decades. They make a huge contribution to the sustainability of our business community and the regional communities in which they operate.”

NZME Chief Executive Michael Boggs paid tribute to all of tonight’s winners and Deloitte Top 200 finalists, “These companies and the teams that drive them represent the finest businesses in New Zealand. We should all be incredibly proud of not only what they have achieved but how they have gone about it.”

The awards would not be possible without the support of award partners Eagle Technology, University of Auckland Business School, Hobson Leavy Executive Search, 2degrees, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Marsh, ServiceNow, Deloitte Digital, New Zealand Herald Premium and OneRoof.co.nz.

ENDS

For further information please contact: Cliff Joiner, GM Communications, New Zealand Media and Entertainment, +64212709995, cliff.joiner@nzme.co.nz