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Leadership team

Our board, senior leaders and 150-strong team are committed to our customers and our community.

Our Board of Directors governs our business strategy and key decision-making. Across our board members, you’ll see national and international experience in major infrastructure and engineering projects, finance, governance and risk management, as well as a deep understanding of the electricity sector.

Our senior managers bring together extensive skills and experience, gained in the power industry and other sectors, in New Zealand and all around the world.

Our board

  • Mark Darrow

    Chairman

    Mark is an experienced businessman and professional director, specialising in corporate governance. He has a number of board roles including a Ministerial appointment on the New Zealand Transport Agency where he chairs the Finance & Audit Committee.

    He also chairs Armstrong Motor Group, Signum Holdings, Courier Solutions, Primary ITO and The Lines Company and is a Director for Trustees Executors, Motor Trade Association, and Balle Brothers Group.

    Mark has held a number of senior executive positions in the past and has been involved in around 30 merger and acquisition transactions in the last decade.

    He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, and is also a Justice of the Peace.

  • Andrew Johnson

    Andrew’s commercial background is across a diverse set of industries, including farming, forestry and tourism. He has significant technology and data systems experience and enjoys engaging with communities for improved outcomes.

    He’s currently managing director of IT Partners Group, and has governance roles with Te Kuiti-based Inframax Construction Limited, the Waikato Anglican College Trust and the University of Waikato’s Audit and Risk Committee.

  • John Rae

    John has a broad range of management and directorial experience in a variety of different business sectors including banking, investment, venture capital, technology, infrastructure, construction, and engineering.

    He has had wide-ranging global experience with management and governance responsibility for operations in New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Europe.

    In addition, he chairs the National Infrastructure Advisory Board which provides independent advice to Treasury and the Minister for Infrastructure.

    John is also currently a director or chairman of a number of other boards across many sectors.

  • Craig Richardson

    Craig is an internationally experienced CEO, CFO, and non-executive director across the infrastructure, consumer goods, manufacturing, and emerging technology sectors.

    Currently managing director of consulting firm Beckette, he’s previously held senior roles with Wynyard Group, Jade Software, BlueScope New Zealand Steel, Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand, Vodafone (Sweden and Australia) Cable & Wireless Optus, Burger King Corporation and BHP.

    A trustee of not-for-profit KiwiSaver fund Simplicity and the West Coast-based Institute for Minerals to Materials Research, previous non-executive directorships include NZ Defence, Callaghan Innovation and Enable Networks, as well as being President of CPA Australia in New Zealand, of which Craig is a fellow.

    With a Bachelor of Commerce and MBA, Craig’s a die-hard Boston Celtics fan, who sails small catamarans between family football games and hip-hop concerts.

  • Roger Sutton

    Currently a director of Network Tasman, Independent Lines Services, the Church Property Trust and an advisor to the Wells Group, Roger brings a strong background in infrastructure and the electricity sector to our board.

    Formerly Chief Executive of Orion New Zealand Ltd and of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), Roger’s governance roles, include the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), Connetics, Energy Developments and Energetics.

    He’s a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers (IPENZ) and a Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Married with three sons Roger enjoys cycling, running, skiing and the odd stint in the kitchen.

  • Simon Young

    Simon has 20 years’ experience in the New Zealand electricity industry working with entities such as Empower, Opunake Hydro, Trustpower and Alliant Energy. He has worked throughout the value chain from start-up, corporate investment and divestment, and operations management, through to governance.

    Holding qualifications in business, horticulture, science and economics from Massey University, Auckland University and California State, Simon’s earlier career in economic and market development saw him practising in six industry sectors in a dozen different countries.

    Simon’s current and previous directorships include Top Energy, Ngawha Generation, Embrium Holdings, Trustpower, Utilise, Windflow Technology, EcoSecurities New Zealand, and The Karo Group.  Simon has also been involved in sports governance — especially basketball.

Our managers

  • Sean Horgan

    Chief Executive

    Sean has over 20 years’ of successful business development, strategic management and operational leadership experience within the energy sectors of Asia, UK, Australia and New Zealand, with entities such as Northpower, Alstom, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, and WEL Networks where he was responsible for IT/IS infrastructure, and delivering business innovation through new technology.

    Since joining us, Sean has been appointed as one of three industry representatives on the Utilities Disputes Energy Complaints Scheme Advisory Committee and a director of our subsidiary, Embrium Holdings.

    When not spending time with his wife and children, Sean can be found keeping fit at the gym or exploring all that New Zealand has to offer with his family. Sean has previously been a volunteer firefighter, ambulance officer, and Navy reserve.

  • Mike Fox

    GM — Network

    Mike has worked in the electricity industry for 14 years, spending the last 10 of those in senior roles. He has an extensive background in asset management, providing strategic direction and leading teams responsible for planning, engineering and delivering work plans.

    Long-term management of our network assets is Mike’s responsibility. He’s passionate about making sure our customers have a safe, reliable, electricity supply.

    When he’s not at work, Mike and his family enjoy fishing, cycling, walking and relaxing on their small lifestyle block. He also leads a small group that fundraises to improve facilities in their community.

  • Jo Ireland

    GM — Customer Service & Communications

    Jo has worked in a variety of senior management positions for the past 20 years in sectors including banking, health and local government. She’s lead teams, often through change and challenging times, to successfully deliver work programmes. Previous portfolios have include communications, customer service, strategy, economic development and iwi liaison.

    Jo is passionate about ensuring customer and stakeholder relationships are strong and communication is open and transparent.

    Outside of work, Jo is a keen gardener with a strong interest in literature, exploring countries and cultures and renovating her 1885 villa. She has three grown children.

  • David Kitchen

    GM — FCL Metering

    David has many years’ experience in New Zealand’s electricity metering sector, having previously worked for SITEL NZ, Genesis Energy, and DataCol Group before joining us in 2014.

    He is responsible for our wholly-owned subsidiary, Financial Corporation Limited (FCL Metering), which specialises in supplying metering equipment, data, and associated services to retailers, developers and lines companies throughout New Zealand. FCL also manages the Meter Installation and Manual Meter Reading operations on our network.

    David is a highly energetic, hard-working, flexible and experienced hands-on manager with a track record of delivering excellent customer, financial and people results in large, complex, high volume and time-critical environments.

    In his spare time, David volunteers with Business Mentoring NZ enjoys tramping in the New Zealand countryside and spending quality time with his family.

  • Sue Lomas

    GM — People & Safety

    Sue holds a post-graduate degree in HR Management from Salford University in the UK. She has more than 20 years’ experience across a wide range of industries including chemical, manufacturing and consulting both in the UK and in New Zealand.

    Delivered through best practice HR management, and learning and development work programmes, Sue brings the right mix of leadership capability and knowledge, to guide cultural change, and embed health, safety, and wellbeing into our way of working.

    She is married with three teenage children.

  • Audrey Scheurich

    GM - Finance

    Audrey brings more than 20 years’ experience in senior financial roles, as well as significant commercial experience in the infrastructure sector to our team. Most recently with Wellington Water Ltd and prior to that Genesis Energy.

    Audrey is a chartered accountant, has a Management Studies degree from the University of Waikato and is married with two adult children.