Fonterra CFO Jonathan Mason has secured the 2011 CFO of the Year Award.
The judging panel - Beca Group's Chye Heng, Skycity's Nigel Morrison and Solid Energy's Anthony Burg - recognised his approach to the cooperative's capital structure, and described him as a passionate, strategic thinker, "whose prudent financial management during a period of market volatility has Fonterra extremely well placed".
"Jonathan never underestimates the importance of getting farmers on board and held hundreds of local shed meetings around the country," the panel said.
Other finalists for the award were James Bayly of Gen-i, Peter Floris from The New Zealand Merino Company, Athol Ryan from Seales and the Ministry of Social Development's Marc Warner.
Others honoured at the event, held in Auckland by Fairfax Media Business Group and Conferenz, included Rugby New Zealand 2011 corporate services manager Sally Kane, who took the Young FInancial Manager of the Year prize.
“Sally’s involvement in strategic decision making through financial analysis and insight to the board has helped shape the structure of the Rugby World Cup. Sally is a driven, dynamic financial manager with the ability to embrace change and build strong relationships," the judges said.
Bank of New Zealand Finance won Finance Team of the Year; the Ministry of Social Development secured Project Initiative of the Year; while Beca Group's Cullum Vibert received a special commendation.
Outgoing General Motors CFO Chris Liddell was earlier given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
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