BackIOI President and New Zealand Chief Ombudsman Beverley Wakem has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the honor was bestowed as part of celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
This honor recognizes her outstanding service to the country and her exceptional career in the public service spanning almost 40, including her current work as Chief Ombudsman. Dame Beverley's background is in broadcasting, public relations and consulting, much of the latter to the state sector. Her broadcasting career in news, current affairs and general programming culminated in her appointment as Chief Executive of Radio New Zealand. She was also for 5 years President of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union. 1997 Dame Beverley was appointed by the Government to the Higher Salaries Commission and was reappointed twice to that body.
In 2005 Dame Beverley was appointed as an Ombudsman and in 2008 she was the first woman to be appointed as the Chief Ombudsman. She has been a member of the I.O.I. Board of Directors since 2008 and was elected IOI President in 2010.
