John Allen

Proven Strategic Leader & Business Growth Agent

John Allen was appointed the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Racing Board in March 2015, having previously held the role of Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade since July 2009.

Topic: Leadership – Workplace of the Future
Organisations need to continuously adapt if they are to survive and thrive in an increasingly volatile business environment. Ensuring successful adaptation against a backdrop of increasing uncertainty and complexity means leadership becomes less about directive structured approaches seeking predictable outcomes and more about empowering others to make effective and timely decisions.

Based on his experience with leading large and diverse New Zealand organisations, John will discuss how the workplace of the future will be different from today. John will share his views of the implications of this for leaders in the future if they are to create vibrant and responsive workplaces.

More about John…
Prior to joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, John was Chief Executive of New Zealand Post. He held a number of senior positions at New Zealand Post before his appointment as its Chief Executive in 2003.

A former partner of Rudd Watts & Stone, specialising in commercial and public policy issues, John has also been a visiting Lecturer in Law at Victoria University of Wellington. He is an experienced company director and was co-chair of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum until April 2011. John is Chair of the New Zealand Police Assurance and Risk Committee and Be Accessible Charitable Trust and a member of the Council of Victoria University.