Panel Discussion: The Path Less Taken

For this second of the Deloitte IPANZ New Professionals Leadership in the Public Sector event series, we heard about the “Path Less Taken” from public sector leaders who have taken the less traditional paths to a public sector career. The panelists were: Department of Corrections, Malcolm Millar, Executive Director, G2G Know-how, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise; Fleur Francois, Director, Measurement Standards Laboratory; and Jim Watson, Prison Director – Waikeria.

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About the Speakers

Malcolm Millar, Executive Director, G2G Know-how

Malcolm is currently the Executive Director of G2G Know-How, a joint venture between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NZ Trade & Enterprise. G2G works through New Zealand’s diplomatic networks abroad to partner with other governments to identify their specific needs. From here, G2G works with foreign governments to draw on NZ’s world leading state sector expertise to provide bespoke solutions to their needs. Malcolm has served as an Ambassador, Deputy Ambassador and Deputy High Commissioner in multiple Foreign Affairs postings and he assisted in establishing New Zealand embassies in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Abu Dhabi. Malcolm has also been a Senior Trade Negotiator and Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Auckland.

Fleur Francois, Director, Measurement Standards Laboratory, Callaghan Innovation

Fleur is the Director of the Measurement Standards Laboratory at Callaghan Innovation where she leads 35 scientists and engineers responsible for maintaining New Zealand's measurement system. She did her post-doctoral research at Mt Sinai Hospital, New York City, doing drug discovery work to prevent HIV transmission and treat type 1 diabetes. She has worked in the public sector for over 15 years in a range of policy and operational leadership roles including the Environmental Risk Management Authority, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Health, and Callaghan Innovation. Her policy work has spanned regulation of genetically modified organisms, marine environmental management, establishing the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), childhood obesity, developing New Zealand's first social impact bond, and science and innovation.

Jim Watson, Prison Director, Waikeria Prison

Jim has over 20 years' experience across Corrections Departments in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Jim is focused on continuous performance improvement and has been the Quality Improvement Advisor (QIA) and Performance Improvement Manager for Community Corrections. Since his Corrections journey began in the UK Prison Service in 1997, Jim has worked a wide range of roles from Prison Officer to Residential Governor, which reinforces his understanding of the prison system from the ground up.