Leadership team
Our board, senior leaders and 160-strong team are committed to our customers and our community.
Our board
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Bella Takiari-Brame
Chair
Bella is Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato-Tainui. She is a Professional Director, Fellow Chartered Accountant and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Bella has global experience in oil and gas and utility industries and is the former GM Finance for WEL Networks.
She is the Deputy Chair of Te Nehenehenui Trust, a Board member of ACC, Director on Te Ohu Kai Moana, and Moana Fisheries and is an Independent Director on Accordant Group, NZ Health Investments Limited, and Braemar Hospital.
Bella was born in Te Kūiti and raised in Māhoenui and attended secondary school in Piopio.
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of LondonGreen which owns and invests in technology based companies. He holds a number of external governance roles.
A chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Andrew holds a Bachelor of Electronic Commerce from the University of Waikato and has studied strategy and leadership at Harvard University.
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Sophie Coker
Sophie Coker is an experienced finance professional with over 15 years in the financial sector, spanning investment banking, corporate finance, consultancy and tax. Sophie is also a Chartered Accountant and recent Future Director on the NZX Board.
Based in Auckland, Sophie brings strong commercial acumen and deep stakeholder engagement experience across diverse industries. Her career has included advising boards and companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, debt optimisation and strategic investment decisions. In particular, Sophie’s investment banking career has strengthened her understanding of governance, compliance and executing strategy.
Originally from Rotorua, Sophie has a strong affinity for community-focused organisations and understands the importance of TLC’s role in supporting rural communities. She is energised by the challenges facing the energy sector, including decarbonisation, network investment and balancing affordability for customers.
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Mike Underhill
Mike (Ngāti Raukawa) lives between Wellington and Otaki. He has a wealth of electricity industry experience gained over a career spanning more than three decades.
Between 2007 and 2016 Mike was also the chief executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), a government organisation tasked with promoting energy efficiency and renewables. Prior to that, Mike was chief executive of WEL Networks, which owns the electricity networks for Hamilton and Northern Waikato.
Mike has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree and a Master’s of Economics. He is a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and a member of the Electricity Authority’s Security and Reliability Council.
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Todd Spencer
Todd is a commercial lawyer with extensive energy, infrastructure and governance experience. He advises leading private and public sector organisations on a range of commercial issues.
He has significant transactions experience in New Zealand, Europe and Asia. Todd also has direct experience of developing strategy and new business opportunities from new energy technologies (demand response, solar PV, batteries).
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Fraser Jonker
Fraser is the former CEO of Pioneer Energy and currently holds several governance roles that span the energy, health, agriculture, wood processing and investment/development sectors.
Our managers
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Mike Fox
Chief Executive
Mike has worked in the electricity industry for 19 years, bringing an extensive background in asset management, planning, engineering and strategic direction to the team.
He has a clear focus on the strategic direction of the business and a thorough understanding of our people, our customers, our business, and the industry.
Working closely with the board, senior leadership team, and many others across the organisation, Mike will lead the company into the next phase as we look to deliver on our vision to help people thrive by growing communities with energy.
As well as chief executive, he is a trustee of the Maru Energy Trust.
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Craig Hackett
GM — Digital
Craig’s experience in the electricity industry covers 30 years, with a range of senior management roles under his belt, including in the fields of engineering, asset management and energy metering.
Craig has been working with TLC for ten years, contributing to various bodies of work, including acting GM network, Interim CEO for Influx Energy Data and other roles.
As GM Digital, he is responsible for delivering all digital technology across the business. This encompasses Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT), Cyber Security and the Digital Utility Programme.
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Gerhard Buitendach
GM — Network
Gerhard brings a wealth of experience to TLC having worked across a range of industries and a career covering extensive reliability, operations, asset management, project management and leadership experience within the New Zealand electricity industry.
A pivotal role within the business, Gerhard is responsible for the strategic delivery and leadership of the network team, comprising customer and community engagement, operations and assets and engineering teams.
He’s passionate about ensuring TLC’s community-owned assets support communities now and into the future, enabling people who live, work, or visit the region to thrive.
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Simon Batters
GM — People & Safety
Simon’s senior management experience in human resources and safety management spans the technology, agricultural, horticulture, construction, and transport sectors in New Zealand.
He’s passionate about creating workplaces which enhance employee wellbeing through humility, ambition, and courage to create high performing environments where people can flourish.
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Jared Murrell
GM — Service Delivery
Born and bred in Te Kūiti, Jared has been with TLC for over 25 years. During that time, he has held multiple positions within the company beginning as an electrical apprentice, then faults person, project manager, and now general manager, service delivery where he is responsible for network services, programme delivery and key accounts functions.
Jared has a comprehensive multi-level understanding of the electricity industry. His extensive knowledge, inherent and authentic leadership skills, accurate focus on quality customer experience and highly developed technical skills saw Jared become a finalist for New Zealand’s Young Energy Professional of the Year award in 2020.
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Romay Rundgren
GM — Finance
Romay Rundgren is an experienced financial executive with over 20 years of leadership across regulated, asset‑intensive and commercial environments. She brings deep expertise in financial strategy, regulation, systems, and governance.
Romay is recognised for balancing long‑term investment, affordability, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder expectations under public, shareholder, and community scrutiny. At TLC, she is responsible for providing financial, regulatory and commercial leadership to the business, and also oversees the execution of corporate strategy and the communications function.
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Kyle Barnes
GM — Future Energy
A Waitomo local and former Waitomo Energy Service Customer Trust trustee, Kyle has experience across various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and energy. He was the architect of our award-winning Māniaroa marae solar project, playing an instrumental role in establishing relationships, developing the concept, securing funding and project delivery.
Kyle is responsible for identifying and delivering new energy solutions for our customers.