'Best connected Kiwi in London' wins CFO Lifetime Contribution award
Smith and Nephew chair Sir John Buchanan scoops honour for contribution to NZ and international business community.
Wednesday, February 08 2012 || CFO Summit || BY Unlimited and Businessday.co.nz
Sir John Buchanan, best known for his 33 year career with BP, highlighted by its US$50 billion merger with Amoco, has been awarded the 2012 Lifetime Contribution to FInance and Business award as part of this year's New Zealand CFO Awards.
Buchanan is the current chair of hip and joint maker Smith and Nephew and was recented knighted by the queen for his services to industry. He also serves on the University of Auckland Business School's advisory board and is a former deputy chair of Vodafone's global board.
"His early days growing up in Papatoetoe fortified him with a competitive, can-do attitude that has served him well in his career; from a packer at the Otara freezing works through to boardrooms of some of the world's most respected companies," says Chye Heng, the executive director and CFO of Beca Group, one of the three judges. "[Buchanan] is a noted philanthropist and involved with a number of charitable organisations."
Although based in Britain, Buchanan has always retained close ties here and has been putting his self-confessed "very good network" to effect as a trustee of the British branch of the earthquake fundraising appeal for Christchurch.
"As a New Zealander I was quite moved at the thought of so much devastation and loss of life. I have cousins in Christchurch, my father grew up in Christchurch, so I have some close links. But, apart from that, it's devastating for this nation."
He said young New Zealanders in London had done an amazing job raising money for the appeal in a number of ways, including pop concerts and auctions.
So far the UK branch had raised about 2 million pounds (NZ$3.78m) directly with the money going to a variety of causes such as Women's Refuge, sports and arts facilities in Canterbury, and the Burwood community.
"When you consider what's needed it's a scratch really. Nevertheless it's another step forward."
He said there were still some British funds looking for a big-ticket item they could donate to and the trustees were "continuing to work that".
