IIA AU President, CIA, Reserve Bank of Australia

Ross is an executive at the Reserve Bank of Australia reporting to the Chair of the Audit Committee and the Deputy Governor. He advises the Board and executives on governance, risk and control and is playing a substantial role in the various transformation programs currently underway at the Bank. Ross joined the RBA after retiring from KPMG after 37 years with that firm. Ross held a variety of management and governance roles within the KPMG partnership including the National Partner-in-Charge of KPMG’s GRC Advisory practice. He was a founding partner of KPMG’s Risk Consulting division.

Ross is President and a Fellow of IIA Australia, he is chair of IIA-A’s Board, and several of its Board Sub-committees. He has previously served on a number of IIA Australia’s committees, including being Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ where he is the Chair of its Risk Specialisation group and has served as a Councillor on CAANZ’s NSW Council. He is a Graduate member of AICD. He is also Treasurer and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of a major Sydney-based not for profit organisation.

Member for Port Waikato, National Party Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister of Small Business and Manufacturing, Minister of Statistics

Andrew Bayly is the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, and Minister of Statistics. He is the MP for Port Waikato and was first elected to Parliament in 2014 to represent the then-seat of Hunua.

Andrew was born in Whanganui into a farming family. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University and qualified as a chartered accountant.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Managers and Leaders, the NZ Chartered Institute of Corporate Management, and the UK Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in London. He worked for the Southpac corporate finance team in New Zealand before transferring to London where he worked for a number of years. After returning to New Zealand, he co-founded a merchant bank, Cranleigh. He has also owned many other businesses and been a director to a range of organisations.

Andrew served for nine years as a member of Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure select committee and was also the Co-Chair of the Middle East/Africa Parliamentary Friendship Group and Co-Chair of the Antarctic Parliamentary Group, which he established in 2019.

Auditor General, OAG

John Ryan began his term as Controller and Auditor-General on 2 July 2018.

John graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration. He studied strategic leadership at Oxford University and is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

He has held senior executive positions in a range of public sector organisations and in the private sector. His experience spans corporate, regulatory and operational management, and assurance.

During his career of more than 40 years, John has led some of the largest programmes of capital works in the public sector, large-scale change management, and significant regulatory reform.

John has also contributed widely to his community. Before his appointment, he was a board member of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Festival, and the Wellington Jazz Festival.

The Panel - Charting the Future: Strategies for Internal Auditors in Times of Change

The Panel sessions at the IIA NZ Conference 2024 offer a dynamic platform for engaging discussions and insightful perspectives on key topics shaping the future of Internal Auditing.

Each panel session comprises a diverse lineup of experts, including a facilitator. These bite sized sessions provide attendees with the opportunity to delve into critical issues facing the profession, exchange ideas, and explore innovative approaches to address emerging challenges. With topics ranging from governance and risk management to technological advancements and industry trends, The Panel sessions promise to deliver valuable insights and practical strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of Internal Audit. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in these interactive sessions and gain actionable perspectives from industry leaders and experts

Health New Zealand 

Dr. Ray Rewat Khanthaporn is a data analyst in the Audit and Assurance Group at Health New Zealand. He holds a fully funded Ph.D. in applied statistics with a focus on data analytics from AUT in 2023. Additionally, he has earned two master's degrees - MSC in financial mathematics with distinction and master’s in economics - as well as a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics. His expertise lies in time series analysis, data mining, multivariate analysis, Bayesian statistics, Bayesian machine learning, and optimisation. 

Before joining Health New Zealand, he gained a diverse range of experiences, including work in academia and research as a lecturer and researcher, as well as in the financial industry as a pricing analyst and software developer.

Professor, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa

Prof. Fourie joined the Nelson Mandela (Metropolitan) University in July 2008 after serving more than 17 years at Tshwane University of Technology. Houdini holds the position of Professor of Internal Auditing in the Department of Applied Accounting.

Houdini obtained a Doctor of Commerce (D Com) degree in Internal Auditing from the University of Pretoria in September 2014. In addition, he is a Professional Accountant (South Africa).

Houdini has an extensive academic research profile, being one of four individuals in the auditing discipline in South Africa to possess a National Research Foundation (NRF) rating. He published on topics that relate to corporate governance, Internal Auditing, public sector Internal Auditing, accounting education and work-readiness skills of entering Internal auditors. More than 20 articles are published in academic journals and several papers were read at both International and National conferences.

Houdini served on the Accreditation Committee of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA); and on the Examination Board of the South African Institute of Government Auditors; and served on the Board of Directors of the Institute of Internal Auditors (South Africa) (IIA-SA) from 2000 to 2004 and held the position as Regional Governor for the Port Elizabeth Region of the IIA-SA since 2009 up to 2013.

Chief Internal Auditor, ASB Bank

David has recently joined ASB to lead its internal audit team after having been a Partner at KPMG, leading the Auckland Consulting division for 11 years. David specialises in Governance, Risk, and Internal Audit, and has over 25 years of experience in this area. He is a Fellow member of Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ, a Life member of the Institute of Internal Auditors of New Zealand, and was New Zealand Internal Auditor of the Year in 2011. David has worked with a wide range of Boards and organisations in an advisory capacity across a number of sectors and, from a governance perspective, has held a number of Director roles.

Before KPMG, David led the Risk, Internal Audit, and Compliance teams at Telecom for five years, reporting directly to the Board, and prior to that, in a similar role with Fisher & Paykel Appliances, where he was also the secretary to the Audit & Risk Committee.

David is a key facilitator for the Institute of Directors and supports the development and delivery of the Audit & Risk Committees Course and Risk Essentials.

Souella is an independent director and works with a number of boards in the non-profit and government sectors. She has recently retired from KPMG New Zealand where she held a number of leadership roles in KPMG’s Consulting and Government sector practices. Souella is a life member of the Institute of Internal Auditors in New Zealand, a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ); a member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and Global Women and was awarded an ONZM in 2022 for her services to governance. 

Souella specialises in governance, risk management and assurance services and is passionate about making a positive contribution and improving outcomes for the organisations she works with. She is a strong champion of diversity and good governance, and the role and contribution that assurance professionals can make to enhancing organisational governance. Souella’s board portfolio includes Zonta International (a women’s rights organisation), where she is a member of the global board; Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, where she is an independent member bring finance, risk and assurance experience to the board; Hohepa Wellington, an intellectual disability provider, Special Olympics New Zealand Foundation, St John New Zealand Audit and Risk Committee; Victoria University of Wellington Foundation and the audit committee for the Financial Statements of Government. 

Souella enjoys travel and is supported in her work and community activities by her husband, Brian, and son, Timothy.

Chief Audit Executive, Ipswich City Council, Australia

Freddy Beck epitomises the pinnacle of professional excellence and unwavering integrity within the realm of Internal Audit. With a wealth of experience spanning Australia and South Africa, he has held distinguished roles as a chief audit executive for over two decades, spearheading Internal Audit functions in multifaceted organisational landscapes.

Recognised with the esteemed Bob McDonald Award by the IIA-Australia, Freddy's commitment to fostering talent and nurturing the next generation of Internal Audit leaders is unparalleled. His mentorship has propelled numerous aspiring auditors to senior positions, contributing to the advancement of the profession.

A captivating presenter, Freddy's repertoire often features gripping case studies drawn from his extensive experience, illustrating his steadfast resolve to uncover and combat corruption. His notable achievements include playing a pivotal role in the Crime and Corruption Commission Queensland's Operation Windage, where his leadership led to the exposure and prosecution of individuals involved in criminal activities within Ipswich City Council.

Freddy's unwavering courage and adherence to ethical principles, as outlined in Internal Audit standards, serve as a guiding light for professionals navigating complex and challenging environments. His exemplary conduct underscores the indispensable role of Internal Audit in upholding integrity and accountability across organisations.

Internal Audit Consultant at the Ministry of Infrastructure - Government of Tonga & Director, Common Utility Board of Directors

Maika Haupeakui has had an illustrious career spanning over three decades, with extensive expertise in financial management, internal audit, and strategic leadership across various sectors. He currently serves as an Internal Audit Consultant and Financial Advisor for the Ministry of Infrastructure - Government of Tonga - and holds a position on the Common Utility Board of Directors, overseeing Tonga Power Limited, Tonga Water Limited, Waste Authority Limited, and Tonga Gas Limited. Maika played a pivotal role in establishing the Ministry's Internal Audit Division, where he was responsible for designing its structure, developing key documents such as the Internal Audit Charter and Audit Manual, and overseeing human resource development and staff training initiatives.

Prior to his role at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Maika served as a Financial Consultant for the Office of the Ombudsman, Tonga, where he provided invaluable financial oversight and guidance. He also held the position of Deputy CEO and Head of the Internal Audit Division at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, where he spearheaded the development of audit strategies, annual plans, and policies, and played a key role in staff recruitment and training.

Maika's diverse career also includes roles such as Principal Procurement Officer at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, where he was responsible for managing procurement activities and developing control mechanisms, and Principal Auditor at the Tonga Audit Office, overseeing government financial and compliance audits.

With a passion for financial management and governance, Maika has served in various leadership positions, including Finance Manager and Acting CEO at the Tonga Water Board, where he managed all aspects of financial operations, project coordination, and budgeting. He also held key positions at the Tonga Free Wesleyan Church, where he contributed to financial oversight, business development, and community initiatives.

In addition to his professional roles, Maika has been actively involved in education, serving as a secondary school teacher and part-time tutor in accounting and economics. He has also served on the boards of several public enterprises, providing strategic financial advice and oversight.

Maika holds a wealth of experience and expertise in financial management, Internal Audit, and strategic leadership, making him a highly respected professional in his field.

Safeguarding the Future: Strategies for Internal Auditors in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

In this interactive session, we will explore the top 5 questions that Internal Auditors need to consider to adapt to change and safeguard New Zealand and the organisations they work in or assist.

The Great Debate: Survival or Revolution: The Battle Cry of Internal Auditors in an Age of Unprecedented Turbulence

David Sutton | Adjudicator

The Great Debate promises an engaging and competitive event where teams will present thought-provoking arguments on the ultimate challenge for Internal Auditors. Adding an element of excitement and impartiality, David Sutton will carefully evaluate the arguments presented by each team.

Sir Ashley Bloomfield studied medicine at the University of Auckland, where he met his wife. They worked as House Surgeons in Whangarei before embarking on their OE, cycling through Europe and working as junior doctors in the UK. Back in New Zealand, Sir Ashley specialised in public health and joined the Ministry of Health in the late 1990s. 

He has 25 years of experience in public policy and health leadership including a year at the World Health Organization in Geneva. He has held leadership positions across multiple District Health Boards including Capital & Coast, Wairarapa and Hutt Valley where he held the role of Chief Executive.

In 2023, Sir Ashley began a new role as a professor at the University of Auckland where he is teaching on public health and leadership and establishing a new Institute to strengthen the impact of the University’s world-class research. He is also working on global health with the World Health Organization and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, having recently been appointed to the Board of ESR.

He was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to public health.