SPEAKERS

Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Ben Bateman (Ngāi Tahu and Cook Island Māori) has previously served Te Rūnanga as its Chief Operating Officer since 2022. Ben has a lead role in shaping organisational strategies, leading their implementation and driving operations that deliver outcomes for Ngāi Tahu whanau.

Ben had a diverse executive leadership career before coming to work for his iwi, both within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Chief of Staff, National Security Group) and the New Zealand Defence Force (Deputy Director, Intelligence and Operations Law). Ben was a Commissioned Officer in the New Zealand Army and retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Ben is also a Manawa Nui graduate of our Ngāi Tahu Group Associate Director programme, having held roles as an Associate Director of both Ngāi Tahu Property and Ngāi Tahu Seafood. He subsequently served as a Director of Ngāi Tahu Seafood, and then as the Chief Operating Officer of Oha Honey from 2020 to 2022.

The common theme of Ben’s career has been service leadership. He is deeply motivated to ensure the benefits of Settlement are enjoyed by Ngāi Tahu Whānui now and for future generations – Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei.

An experienced lawyer with Bachelors degrees in both Laws and Science from the University of Canterbury, Ben also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Victoria University of Wellington. He is a seasoned professional director, currently serving as an Advisory Panel Member for the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, a Future Director on the Meridian Energy Board and a Board Member of the Ministry of Education, Risk and Assurance Board.

Christina Benty, MA is a recovering politician who still loves local government. She only wants to work with leaders and organizations committed to building a culture of excellence in an environment that is kinder, wiser, and more conscious.

As a national speaker, facilitator, published author, and a performance coach for governing bodies and senior management teams, she masterfully uses her lived political experience and her educational background to deliver intellectual content with energy and enthusiasm. Christina has developed and facilitated various leadership retreats, educational sessions, and roundtable discussions about sustainable service delivery across Canada.

Weaving both the art and science of leadership, check out Christina’s TEDX Talk on Leadership here.

Gavin recently stepped down from serving as the Chief Executive of one of the UK’s largest authorities, Essex County Council, to concentrate on his UK Government role as a Best Value Commissioner. Prior to his 20 years in Local Government, he worked in senior positions within the private sector. His last role before joining public service in 2005 was as Vice President for Marketing and Customer Services within the airline industry.

Recognised as one of Britain’s most innovative leaders, he’s been listed among the top 50 New Radicals and voted as one of the most influential people in the UK local Government sector.

Improving organisational performance and turning around troubled organisations has always been at the centre of his work. As the Lead Commissioner for both Slough and Thurrock Councils, he has been appointed by the UK Government to support the Councils recovery. Gavin also sits as Chairman of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Challenge Board

For 8 years, he served as the Chairman for the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE), working with Council's across the UK.

Gavin was recently appointed a senior advisor to a large UK based consulting company, Newton.

Alongside his professional achievements, he has served as a trustee for a local hospice. He is also passionate about writing performing and publishing music.