Jon Calder

CEO of Tompkins Wake, non-lawyer law firm leader
Overview
Jon Calder is the CEO of Tompkins Wake, one of New Zealand's top 10 law firms. A non-lawyer who started as a baggage handler at Hamilton airport, Jon brings a people-first style of leadership shaped by Air New Zealand, Infratil, Fieldays and a major brush with cancer. He is one of NZ's most awarded chief executives.
Who is Jon Calder? Jon began at Air New Zealand, working up over 12 years into senior management. He moved into GM roles at NZ Bus, then became CEO of the NZ National Fieldays Society. In 2016 he was appointed CEO of Tompkins Wake, leading its growth into NZ's top ten law firms. He holds an MBA from Waikato and has studied at Harvard and Stanford. In 2013 he survived an aggressive cancer.
Career Highlights • CEO of Tompkins Wake since 2016 • Two-time NZ Managing Partner of the Year, 2019 and 2020, NZ Law Awards • CEO of the Year, 2018 Westpac Waikato Business Awards • Named a Changemaker in NZ Lawyer's 2021 Influential Lawyers List • Former CEO of the NZ National Fieldays Society • 12 years at Air New Zealand and senior leadership roles at Infratil's NZ Bus
Key Speaking Themes • Authentic leadership and lifelong learning • Leading change, growth and organisational transformation • Diversity, inclusion and rainbow tick workplaces • Surviving cancer and the perspective it brings to leadership • Innovation in professional services and legal technology
What Your Audience Will Gain Jon is humble, courageously confident and people-first. Audiences leave with practical leadership ideas and a renewed appreciation for the people they work with.
Ideal For • Leadership and CEO summits • Professional services and legal industry events • Sales kick-offs and team offsites • Awards nights and gala dinners • Industry, chamber of commerce and government forums
Frequently Asked Questions...
What does Jon Calder speak about? Leadership, growth, change, innovation, diversity and inclusion, professional services and lessons from cancer.
What is Tompkins Wake? A 100-year-old New Zealand law firm with offices in Hamilton, Auckland and Rotorua, now in the country's top 10.
Is Jon Calder a lawyer? No. Jon is a non-lawyer CEO. He won Managing Partner of the Year at the NZ Law Awards in both 2019 and 2020, the first leader ever to do so two years running.
What previous roles has Jon Calder held? 12 years at Air New Zealand, GM roles at Infratil's NZ Bus and CEO of the NZ National Fieldays Society.
What awards has Jon Calder won? CEO of the Year (Westpac Waikato Business Awards 2018), Managing Partner of the Year (NZ Law Awards 2019 and 2020) and Changemaker on the NZ Lawyer Influential Lawyers list.
Is Jon Calder available as a keynote and MC? Yes. Jon is regularly booked as a keynote speaker, panellist and MC for leadership, professional services and industry events.

BUSINESS SPEAKERS | LEADERSHIP SPEAKERS

Jon Calder

CEO of Tompkins Wake, non-lawyer law firm leader
Overview
Jon Calder is the CEO of Tompkins Wake, one of New Zealand's top 10 law firms. A non-lawyer who started as a baggage handler at Hamilton airport, Jon brings a people-first style of leadership shaped by Air New Zealand, Infratil, Fieldays and a major brush with cancer. He is one of NZ's most awarded chief executives.
Who is Jon Calder? Jon began at Air New Zealand, working up over 12 years into senior management. He moved into GM roles at NZ Bus, then became CEO of the NZ National Fieldays Society. In 2016 he was appointed CEO of Tompkins Wake, leading its growth into NZ's top ten law firms. He holds an MBA from Waikato and has studied at Harvard and Stanford. In 2013 he survived an aggressive cancer.
Career Highlights • CEO of Tompkins Wake since 2016 • Two-time NZ Managing Partner of the Year, 2019 and 2020, NZ Law Awards • CEO of the Year, 2018 Westpac Waikato Business Awards • Named a Changemaker in NZ Lawyer's 2021 Influential Lawyers List • Former CEO of the NZ National Fieldays Society • 12 years at Air New Zealand and senior leadership roles at Infratil's NZ Bus
Key Speaking Themes • Authentic leadership and lifelong learning • Leading change, growth and organisational transformation • Diversity, inclusion and rainbow tick workplaces • Surviving cancer and the perspective it brings to leadership • Innovation in professional services and legal technology
What Your Audience Will Gain Jon is humble, courageously confident and people-first. Audiences leave with practical leadership ideas and a renewed appreciation for the people they work with.
Ideal For • Leadership and CEO summits • Professional services and legal industry events • Sales kick-offs and team offsites • Awards nights and gala dinners • Industry, chamber of commerce and government forums
Frequently Asked Questions...
What does Jon Calder speak about? Leadership, growth, change, innovation, diversity and inclusion, professional services and lessons from cancer.
What is Tompkins Wake? A 100-year-old New Zealand law firm with offices in Hamilton, Auckland and Rotorua, now in the country's top 10.
Is Jon Calder a lawyer? No. Jon is a non-lawyer CEO. He won Managing Partner of the Year at the NZ Law Awards in both 2019 and 2020, the first leader ever to do so two years running.
What previous roles has Jon Calder held? 12 years at Air New Zealand, GM roles at Infratil's NZ Bus and CEO of the NZ National Fieldays Society.
What awards has Jon Calder won? CEO of the Year (Westpac Waikato Business Awards 2018), Managing Partner of the Year (NZ Law Awards 2019 and 2020) and Changemaker on the NZ Lawyer Influential Lawyers list.
Is Jon Calder available as a keynote and MC? Yes. Jon is regularly booked as a keynote speaker, panellist and MC for leadership, professional services and industry events.