Liz Coutts, ONZM

In 2020, Liz Coutts was recognised as a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Waikato in recognition of her career success, contribution to the community, and promotion of good governance across a wide range of businesses.

Liz Coutts (ONZM) is a highly sought-after board director and chair of public, private and social enterprises. Liz became a CEO at the age of 31, and she was appointed the first female president of the New Zealand Institute of Directors in 2017.

In 2020, Liz was named Chairperson of the Year at the Deloitte Top 200 Business Awards. She also received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Waikato, in recognition of her significant contribution to the business community.

She currently chairs the boards of 2degrees, Oceania Healthcare, EBOS Group and Skellerup Holdings, and is a member of the Marsh New Zealand Advisory Board.

Raised on a Matamata dairy farm, Liz was a quiet achiever as a young woman.

She studied at Waikato Management School and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Management Studies, majoring in finance and marketing.

“My time at university taught me tenacity, self-motivation and discipline. Having a BMS from Waikato has held me in good stead,” she says. 

Her first job as a graduate saw her move to Kawerau for an accountant’s role in the forestry sector.

Liz quickly realised she had an interest and a talent for business strategy.

The opportunity to be involved in different industries and work with different people is still incredibly stimulating to me.

Liz Coutts

“I wanted to have independence, I wanted to be self-sufficient – it wasn’t about a job. I wanted to be in business and run a business and have my own financial independence,” she says.

“I was fortunate to have people in senior positions who supported me when I was in my late 20s to early 30s.”

At just 31, Liz was appointed CEO of the Caxton Group, a vertically integrated forestry, pulp and paper business, with operations in NZ, Australia, Pacific, Asia and the United States.

She established herself in governance roles at just 34, when she was made a director of Trust Bank New Zealand.

Since then, Liz’s ability to work in complex, challenging environments – and her attention to detail – has made her a sought-after board director and advisor.

She has worked in a wide range of industries, including Air New Zealand, the Public Trust, the Reserve Bank, the Ministry of Health, and several not-for-profits.

“The opportunity to be involved in different industries and work with different people is still incredibly stimulating to me.”

“My experience has meant I have been involved with navigating a vast array of circumstances that an organisation may face,” she says.

“I understand the importance of managing risks, relationships and finances, and the need for good people, systems and processes.”

In 2016, Liz was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).