Celebrating the best of private business

The Best Managed Companies programme recognises outstanding private businesses and the exceptional performance that drives them to be the best. Backed by a proven framework, and active in 45+ countries around the world, this year marked the third year of the programme in New Zealand.

The programme assesses entrants across four key business pillars: strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, and governance and financials, and the results are then evaluated by an independent judging panel to determine if they meet the “Best Managed” standard. This year, we were delighted to name five businesses as Best Managed Companies.

The “Best Managed” designation lasts for one year, and winners are encouraged to re-enter each year to retain their Best Managed title. This year, New Zealand was excited to celebrate its first cohort of returning winners including inaugural Best Managed Companies winner, Barfoot & Thompson, alongside other returning winners Leighs Construction, Service Foods, and Southbase Construction. Signature Homes has also joined the cohort of winners for the first time.

Read more about the programme here.

Highlights from our winners’ celebration

Entrants of New Zealand’s 2024 Best Managed Companies programme and executives from other high-performing New Zealand private businesses came together for a celebration of high performance and excellence on 8 May.

Guest speaker and double Olympic gold medallist, Ellesse Andrews, captivated the room as she spoke about the highs and lows of her journey in professional sport so far and how she finds balance within a high pressure, all-consuming career. MC and Deloitte Private National Lead, Bill Hale, explored with Ellesse how the four pillars of the Best Managed Companies programme (strategy, capabilities and innovation, culture and commitment, governance and financials) have relevance in a sporting context, with Ellesse sharing a glimpse into the team and data behind her strategy, how technology helps her to have competitive edge, and the “board of directors” that keeps her accountable.

There were plenty of takeaways for the audience – both in their professional and personal lives.

Do you have what it takes to be the best?

Could your business join this exclusive group of 1,700 of the best private companies across the globe? Entries for the 2025 Best Managed Companies programme will open soon – register your interest here to stay in the loop.