The Group Shared Services (GSS) Board has appointed Helen Robinson ONZM as independent chair of the GSS Board effective 4 September 2024.
The purpose of Group Shared Services is to enable Auckland Council Group to deliver high-quality and cost-effective services for Aucklanders. This is achieved through integrating common functions and technologies, developing a consistent and scalable service delivery model, and eliminating duplication.
The role of the independent chair is to guide the GSS Board, which is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and governance of Group Shared Services to ensure the model provides quality services, manages and mitigates risk, delivers on value, the Long-term Plan outcomes, and savings targets. The independent chair will work closely with Richard Jarrett, Director of Group Shared Services on the successful implementation across Auckland Council Group.
The GSS Board comprises the independent chair and the chief executives from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Watercare, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Eke Panuku Development Auckland.
About Helen Robinson
Helen is an entrepreneur and professional director with over 30 years’ experience leading technology companies and driving innovation across the technology, finance, sustainability, and consumer goods sectors.
Her previous executive positions include Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand and Head of Pivotal Corporation Asia Pacific.
She is Independent Director of Generate Kiwisaver and Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA), Board Member of NZ Tech, Chair of Kara Technologies, Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ) and Astrix Astronautics, and NZTE’s Beachhead Advisors NZ.
In 2018, Helen was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her outstanding services to technology and business.
