Simon Bennett

Chair

Simon is an experienced business owner, director and manager, and has had exposure to a number of sectors, experience in leading business teams, and managing a range of stakeholders, including government. He has a keen interest in the labour market’s role in a successful economy and the growth of New Zealand’s productivity.

Simon has been a director of several businesses and is on the Board of Trustees for the Ice Foundation (a charitable trust which owns business incubator The Icehouse) and is also a Director of The Icehouse. Simon was appointed CEO of Madison in 2011 and, following AWF Group’s acquisition of Madison in 2013, became Group’s Chief Executive in 2015 – a role that he held until moving onto the Board in 2021. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Simon was appointed as Chair in January 2022. Simon initially joined the Board as an Executive Director in June 2021, subsequently becoming a Non-Executive Director on 1 November 2021, and having previously served as the Group’s Chief Executive for six years.

Simon Hull

Non-Executive Director

Simon founded the Allied Work Force business in 1988. He was AWF Managing Director for 27 years and is its largest shareholder. He has been instrumental in growing what is now the Accordant business from a single office in Penrose to its current market leading position. Before founding Allied Work Force, Simon was involved in farming, horticulture and small business management. He continues to be involved in marine-focussed businesses as well as pursuing his onshore and offshore yacht racing passion. Simon is a non-executive (“non-independent”) Director.

Nick Simcock

Independent Director

Nick joined the Board as an Independent Director in January 2018 after 15 years in Managing Director roles in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia/Pacific with Korn/Ferry Futurestep. Nick brings deep industry expertise in recruiting, outsourcing, and talent management with a global perspective. Nick was the CEO and Director of a start-up SaaS payments business Wrap It Up, which was sold in 2017, and is a Director of a private family property company. He is a Trustee on the Wellington Creative Capital Arts Trust, and was formerly on the Otago University Business School Board of Advisors. Nick is Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.

Richard Stone

Independent Director

Richard initially joined the Board as a Non-independent Director in January 2022, subsequently becoming an Independent Director in November 2022. Richard brings extensive industry and corporate governance experience. Joining the human resources consulting industry in 1987, Richard went on to co-found three successful firms, the most recent of which was JacksonStone & Partners where he was Executive Chairman. Prior to joining the Accordant Board Richard worked alongside a range of Boards, advising on talent management and in particular the appointment of Chief Executives across the private sector and broad state sector. Richard has held a number of governance roles in other enterprises. He has been Chairman of UNICEF NZ, President of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, a Council member of Business NZ and a Director of Wellington NZ, the regional economic development agency. Presently, he is the Chairman of LifeFlight, the Wellington based rescue helicopter and aeromedical services provider, Chairman of Commerce Building Limited and a Director of Cape Horn Land Company Limited.