Former NZ Rugby Chair, MediaWorks CEO and senior director

Overview

Brent Impey has shaped two of New Zealand's biggest industries – media and rugby. As Chief Executive of MediaWorks for 11 years and then Chair of New Zealand Rugby from 2013 to 2022, he sat at the centre of some of the country's most consequential deals, including the $777 million MediaWorks transaction and the Silver Lake investment in NZ Rugby. He brings that hard-won experience to corporate stages, boardrooms and conferences.

Who is Brent Impey? Brent grew up in Papatoetoe and trained as a lawyer specialising in media law. He spent 11 years as Chief Executive of MediaWorks before moving into governance, joining the New Zealand Rugby board in 2012 and serving as Chair from 2013 until 2022. He has also chaired SANZAAR and the Fred Hollows Foundation. He runs his own consultancy and continues to chair a range of boards across media, sport and financial services.

Career Highlights

• Chair of New Zealand Rugby 2013–2022

• Former Chair of SANZAAR (Super Rugby's governing body)

• Chief Executive of MediaWorks for 11 years

• Director of Radio New Zealand (from 2024)

• Chair of Fiji Drua, Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting (Pasifika TV), and Thompson Spencer Advertising

• Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Devon Funds Management / JMI Wealth

• Chair of Te Korowai O Waiheke and Trustee, K.I.W.I.K.A.R.E Ukraine

• Former Chair of the Fred Hollows Foundation NZ

• Negotiator of the $777 million MediaWorks transaction and NZ Rugby's Silver Lake deal

Key Speaking Themes

• Leadership and governance under pressure

• The future of New Zealand media and sport

• Behind the scenes of the Silver Lake and MediaWorks deals

• Boards, CEOs and how to get the relationship right

• Resilience, purpose and leading through a personal crisis

What Your Audience Will Gain Brent gives audiences a rare inside view of two of New Zealand's most scrutinised industries. They leave with sharper thinking on governance, deal-making and what it takes to lead an organisation through a genuine storm.

Ideal For

• Board, chair and director events

• CEO and leadership conferences

• Media, sport and entertainment summits

• AGMs and gala dinners

• Strategy days and executive offsites

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Brent Impey speak about? Governance, leadership, the future of media and sport, deal-making, and lessons from leading NZ Rugby and MediaWorks.

When was Brent Impey Chair of New Zealand Rugby? He was Chair of New Zealand Rugby from 2013 until 2022, having joined the board in 2012.

What was Brent Impey's role at MediaWorks? Chief Executive of MediaWorks for 11 years, before moving into governance and consulting.

What boards is Brent Impey currently on? Director of Radio New Zealand and Chair of Fiji Drua, Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting (Pasifika TV), Thompson Spencer Advertising and Te Korowai O Waiheke, among others.

Did Brent Impey lead the Silver Lake deal at NZ Rugby? Yes. He was Chair of NZ Rugby through the Silver Lake investment process and other major broadcast and commercial deals.

How long is a typical keynote? 45 minutes is standard with Q&A optional. Fireside chats and panel formats are also available.