Joan Withers

Dame Joan Withers (née Blinkhorn; born 1953) is a New Zealand business executive and professional director. Currently the chair of The Warehouse Group, her previous roles include being deputy chair of the board of TVNZ, chair of Mercury Energy, and a member of the advisory board of the New Zealand Treasury. She has also served as chief executive officer of Fairfax New Zealand and The Radio Network.

Early life and family Withers was born Joan Blinkhorn in Manchester, England, in 1953, the second of three daughters of Lilian and Jack Blinkhorn. The family moved to New Zealand in 1959, eventually settling in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe. A self-described rebellious teen, she left school aged 16, after gaining School Certificate, and found work at the Bank of New Zealand in Queen Street. After graduating, she was appointed general manager of Radio i, and subsequently became the CEO of The Radio Network.

Between 2005 and 2009, Withers was CEO of Fairfax New Zealand.

Honours and awards

Withers has won a number of business awards, including being named the 2015 Supreme Woman of Influence in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards, the New Zealand Shareholder Association's Beacon Award for 2014, and the University of Auckland Bright Lights Distinguished Alumni award in 2015.

In 2025, Withers was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, in recognition of her contributions to business and governance.