Diane Foreman

Diane Foreman is a highly successful businesswoman and CEO of the Emerald Group, one of New Zealand’s most prominent business empires. The Emerald Group invests in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, high-level recruitment, and hospitality, and owns a boutique hotel on Auckland’s North Shore.

Foreman has worked with several charities and was previously the deputy chair of the Business Roundtable. Her experience in various industries, such as health, property, recruitment, and ice cream, has made her one of New Zealand’s leading entrepreneurs.

Foreman’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age when she sold eggs and organised a babysitting circle. Her breakthrough came when she played a pivotal role in selling her husband’s Hamilton plastics business, Trigon, for $130 million.

Later on, Foreman established the Emerald Group, which has grown into a global conglomerate with investments in various sectors, including food, property, and investment. Her most notable achievement within Emerald was the development of the ice cream operation, which earned her the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2009.

Foreman’s journey from being a single parent struggling to make ends meet to becoming one of the wealthiest Kiwi businesswomen is truly inspiring. Despite her success and wealth, Foreman is more driven by the difficulties and opportunities of business than by purely financial gain. She is committed to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in New Zealand and inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

Diane Foreman’s legacy as a distinguished entrepreneur and business leader is a testament to her determination, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence. She has shared her experiences and insights in her book, In the Arena, which has inspired many to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.