Joan Withers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Joan Withers
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Withers in 2020
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Joan Blinkhorn
1953 (age 72–73) Manchester, England
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| Spouse(s) | Brian Withers |
| Children | 1 |
Dame Joan Withers is a very successful business leader from New Zealand. She was born Joan Blinkhorn in 1953. She is known for her important roles in many big companies.
Currently, she leads The Warehouse Group. She has also been a top leader at TVNZ and Mercury Energy. She even worked as the chief executive (CEO) for companies like Fairfax New Zealand and The Radio Network.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to New Zealand
Joan Blinkhorn was born in Manchester, England, in 1953. She was the second of three daughters. Her family, including her parents Lilian and Jack, moved to New Zealand in 1959. They eventually settled in Papatoetoe, a suburb of Auckland.
Joan described herself as a bit rebellious when she was a teenager. She left school at 16 after getting her School Certificate. She then started working at the Bank of New Zealand in Queen Street.
Family Life and Early Work
When Joan was 19, she married Brian Withers. He was an electrician whom she had met at a rugby club dance when she was 15. Two years later, they had a son.
After getting married, Joan started writing restaurant reviews. These reviews, called "Out and About with Joan and Brian Withers," appeared in her local newspaper, the South Auckland Gazette. After her son was born, she worked from home. She made jerseys using a knitting machine.
Joan Withers' Business Career
After her son started school, Joan Withers went back to working outside the home. She spent nine years at New Zealand News. There, she wrote articles and sold advertising space.
In 1989, she decided to go back to school. She wanted to get a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Auckland. This was important to her because she did not have a university degree. After finishing her MBA, she became the general manager of Radio i. Later, she became the CEO of The Radio Network.
Becoming a Professional Director
Joan Withers left The Radio Network in 1997. She then became a "professional director." This means she joined the boards of many different companies. She helped guide these companies.
In 1996, she joined the board of Auckland International Airport Limited. In 2004, she joined the Feltex board. She was the only woman director. She left the Feltex board in 2005.
Between 2005 and 2009, Joan Withers was the CEO of Fairfax New Zealand. This company owned many newspapers and magazines. In 2009, she joined the board of Mighty River Power, an energy company. She became its chairwoman within a few weeks. In the same year, she also joined the TVNZ board and became its deputy chairwoman in 2010.
She has also been a trustee for Sir Stephen Tindall's Tindall Foundation. This foundation helps many good causes in New Zealand.
Awards and Recognition
Joan Withers has received many important awards for her work in business. In 2015, she was named the Supreme Woman of Influence in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards. She also won the New Zealand Shareholder Association's Beacon Award in 2014. The University of Auckland gave her the Bright Lights Distinguished Alumni award in 2015.
In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, Joan Withers received a very special honour. She was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This award recognized her great contributions to business, leadership, and supporting women.
