Naomi Ferguson, 2016 Woman of Influence Winner
The Women of Influence Programme is designed to identify, recognise and celebrate the 100 most influential women shaping New Zealand.
GWN nominated Naomi for her work in championing the birth of GWN.
Naomi has always been a strong champion for diversity. She considers it essential that the public sector is representative of the wider community and is inclusive in its approach to service delivery and people development.
Her championship of diversity has been career-long. As Director of Inland Revenue in Northern Ireland, Naomi focussed on diversity and inclusion in the workforce and, in partnership with the University of Ulster, led Inland Revenue’s implementation of Northern Ireland’s broad diversity legislation. At Barclays Bank, Naomi was instrumental in creating a diversity strategy for the bank.
Not only is Naomi a champion for diversity, she is also an exceptional leader in her own right. She holds the largest job of any woman in government. As Chief Executive and Commissioner of Inland Revenue she is responsible for the country’s entire tax take, collecting over $60 million in revenue, with some 7 million customers. She leads 6000 staff nationwide. Naomi is also leading one of the largest business transformation programmes ever seen in New Zealand, which will simplify the tax system for customers, ensuring their tax requirements are integrated seamlessly into other business processes.
Cited as an inspirational and authentic role model by her staff and wider networks, we congratulate Naomi as a supreme Woman of Influence.
FInd out more about the Women of Influence awards and other award winners.