About Us
ETHICAL PRACTICE THROUGH ETHICAL LEADERS
For over 15 years, we’ve been helping organisations embed ethical thinking into the way they lead, decide, and act. We believe culture is built on the foundation of ethical practice.
What we stand for
The values that shape every conversation, every engagement, every room we walk into
Expect more
We bring ethics to everyday decision-making and believe in what's possible when people engage honestly
Say the thing
We will raise concerns clearly, without flinching, regardless of who's in the room.
Be counted
We will show up on issues that matter, whether or not there's a fee attached.
Leave it better
We recognise that impact isn't the end game. It's what remains after we've gone.
Meet the Team
The Ethics Conversation is a small, purposeful team of experts brought together by a shared belief that ethics isn’t a compliance exercise, it’s the standard by which organisations earn trust. Between us we bring decades of experience across governance, public affairs, research, and organisational culture. We work across sectors, speak plainly, and show up for the issues that matter.
Jane Arnott MNZM
OUR FOUNDER
Jane Arnott MNZM has been presenting, writing and researching ethical governance for over 15 years. In New Zealand business marketplace Jane’s credentials are unique. Across health, finance, engineering and with a dedicated public sector workshop on speaking up, delivered through a Victoria University of Wellington subsidiary, Jane has earned respect and been recognised for her commitment to ethical engagement across the business spectrum.
She is an adjunct research fellow for the Brian Picot Chair in Ethical Leadership, School of Management, Victoria University of Wellington. In 2021 became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Jane led the market development of the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE), UK in New Zealand. She was appointed IBE Country Manager and Associate in 2008 a role she held for over 10 years. She has spoken at ethics conferences and workshops in the United States, Spain and UK.
Jane has a post-graduate qualification from University of Auckland in Professional Ethics and has recently completed a new micro credential AI Ethics through the London School of Economics.
Craig Dowling
ASSOCIATE
In joining as an Associate Craig supports and advocates for the significant role The Ethics Conversation plays in enhancing the place of ethics, speaking up and values-based decision making in organisational culture.
Craig is strong in his belief that a focus on ethics, including articulating and embedding core values in processes and training, underpins a flourishing society. He has formerly worked in public affairs and communication roles in the public and private sector and across renewable energy, transport logistics, banking and finance and insurance industries. His other advocacy work has included campaigning for a young family battling local government and over known flood risks in a (wrong)fully consented sub division.
Craig’s volunteer work has included support for a young New Zealander’s social and community skills programme for women in Kenya, and building capability through e-mentoring staff at a not-for-profit operating in Timor-Leste.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Philippa Foster Back CBE
Philippa began her career in Corporate Treasury and Finance, prior to her appointment as Director of the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) in 2001 from which she stepped down in April 2020. In her IBE role Philippa was responsible for implementing strategy, leading the team and building the profile of IBE across regulators, listed and unlisted companies, professional membership bodies, educational institutions and charities.
Her leadership ensured the Institute met its charitable aims, of raising awareness and spreading best practice nationally and internationally through research, publications, advisory and training in the field of business ethics.
Craig McFarlane
Craig is an independent and full-time professional company director. He is one of the founders and a director of Report it Now, a global independent external reporting service. He chairs the Pinnacle Incorporated Executive Committee, Midlands Health Network Limited, LearningWorks Limited, Simply Dental Limited and Demolition Traders Limited.
Craig has an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK, has extensive offshore commercial experience, and holds additional directorships in waste, health, education, B2B consultancy, early childhood education, advertising as well as numerous not-for-profits and community groups.