Strong Governance
Our experienced directors hail from diverse backgrounds and lead Vector on behalf of our shareholders and other stakeholders.
Dame Alison Paterson
DNZM, QSO, DCom(hc), FCA, ADistFInstD
Independent Non-Executive Chair (Appointed on 7 March 2007)
Dame Alison Paterson is Chair of the Forestry Industry Safety Council, Kiwi Wealth Group, Te Aupouri Commercial Development Limited and Te Aupouri Fisheries Management Limited. She is also a member of the Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand.
Alastair Bell
BCom, CA, Chartered Director, JP
Non-independent non-executive director (appointed on 23 September 2019)
Alastair is a chartered accountant, chartered director and qualified member of the Project Management Institute. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors and considerable experience in leadership roles within the community. Alastair leads a consultancy specializing in stakeholder engagement. He is deputy Chair of Foundation North (formerly ASB Community Trust), founding chair of the Centre for Social Impact NZ Ltd, the social business established by Foundation North to support organisations to deliver social programmes for optimum social impact. He is a board member of the NZ National Party. He is currently chair of the Orakei Community Association, a trustee of the Motutapu Restoration Trust, an executive member of Parnell Heritage and a former youth mentor with Project K.
Michael Buczkowski
BE(Electrical), MBA (Hons)
NON-INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (APPOINTED ON 12 NOVEMBER 2018)
Michael Buczkowski is an experienced Trustee and Deputy Chairman of Entrust. He was General Manager Operations at Ricoh from 2007 to 2018 and, prior to that, Managing Director of Hirepool
and also Director of Owens Industrial (NZX top 40). His professional experience includes: Consulting Electrical Engineer at Beca, registered Electrical Engineer from 1984 to 2004 as well as international
consulting expertise in the energy sector.
Tony Carter
BE (Hons), ME, MPhil
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (appointed on 1 May 2019)
Tony Carter was managing director of Foodstuffs New Zealand Limited for ten years until his retirement in 2010. Tony is Chair of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited and Air New Zealand Limited*
and is a director of ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited and Fletcher Building Limited*, and a trustee of the Maurice Carter Charitable Trust.
* Tony is retiring from the Boards of Air New Zealand and Fletcher Building Limited in September and November respectively and joined the Datacom Group Limited Board on 1 August.
Jonathan Mason
MBA, MA, BA
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (APPOINTED 10 MAY 2013)
Jonathan Mason has extensive commercial experience. He has worked in financial management positions in the oil and gas, chemicals, forest products and dairy industries in New Zealand and the USA for International Paper, ExxonMobil Corporation, Carter Holt Harvey, Cabot Corporation and Fonterra. Jonathan also has experience as a non-executive director on boards in both New Zealand and the USA and is currently a director of Air New Zealand Limited, New Zealand Assets Management Limited (NZAM), Westpac New Zealand Limited and Zespri Group Limited. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Management at the University of Auckland, focusing on finance.
Dame Paula Rebstock
BSc (Econ), Dip & MSc (Econ)
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (appointed on 16 April 2019)
Dame Paula Rebstock is a leading Auckland-based economist and company director, who was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015. She is Chair of ACC, Kiwi Group Holdings Limited, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia and the New Zealand Defence Force Board and a director of Auckland Transport. Dame Paula is the former Chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission.
Bruce Turner
BE (Hons), ME, BCom
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (appointed on 16 April 2019)
Bruce Turner is director of Central Portfolio Management at Fonterra. He is a highly experienced senior executive who has held leadership roles in the energy industry, both in New Zealand and overseas. Bruce is a member of the Electricity Authority’s Security and Reliability Council and an advisory board member at the University of Colorado’s JP Morgan Center for Commodities. He was involved in the reform of the electricity industry, as a member of the despatch rules working group, the NZEM Rules Committee, the MARIA governance board and the development of industry common quality standards. * Bruce is joining New Zealand Butter Canners Ltd as a director from 5 August.
Experienced Leadership
Vector’s management team are experts in their field, committed to delivering world-class infrastructure services, and attuned to the rapidly evolving demands of our customers.
Simon Mackenzie
Grad DipBS (Dist), DipFin, NZCE
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Simon Mackenzie is passionate about the power of technology to transform the energy industry and consumers’ lives. As Group Chief Executive, he has expanded and driven Vector’s portfolio of businesses to embrace innovative technologies and strategies to deliver efficient, sustainable energy solutions to consumers. Simon was appointed Vector’s Group Chief Executive in 2008. His tertiary qualifications include engineering, finance and business studies, and the Advanced Management Programme at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Colin Daly
Post Grad Dip (Operations)
CEO - Vector Powersmart
Initially joining Vector to lead our E-Co Products Group, Colin Daly now leads newly formed Vector PowerSmart which encompasses HRV and PowerSmart Solar operations and, at group level, our strategic marketing, business development, product innovation and technology functions. Colin brings extensive experience in business and organisational strategy, innovation, customer service and market growth, and has led businesses in B2C, B2B and hybrid channels to market across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He has a proven track record in building high-performing teams, cultural transformation and the delivery of innovative business strategies leading to significant revenue growth. He is also a member of New Zealand’s Institute of Directors and a director of Hauraki Marine (Burnsco).
Jason Hollingworth
MCom (Hons), FCA, CMInstD
Chief Financial Officer
Jason Hollingworth joined Vector as Chief Financial Officer in May 2019. He has over 30 years’ experience in a range of senior corporate finance roles including being CFO of public listed pay television company SKY TV, CFO of telecommunications company TelstraClear, Investment Manager for the diversified investment company Ngai Tahu Holdings, Executive Director at Asian private power development company AsiaPower and a Director of corporate advisory firm Southpac Corporation. Jason has a Master of Commerce degree, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants ANZ and a member of the Institute of Directors.
Fiona Michel
MBA
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
Fiona Michel is Vector’s Chief People Officer, responsible for people, capability and culture. She has worked in the technology, banking, insurance and public sectors for over two decades in New Zealand and overseas. Fiona has won awards in New Zealand and Australia for achievement in human resources, leadership, culture transformation and industrial relations. She has a Master of Business Administration, is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and is completing her Doctorate at the University of Auckland. Professionally, Fiona is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom and a Fellow Certified Practitioner HR of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
Nikhil Ravishankar
BSc BCom (Hons)
CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER
Nikhil Ravishankar leads Vector’s digital team and is responsible for managing the company’s digital and IT functions. He is charged with harnessing the performance of both existing and emerging disruptive digital technologies to ensure Vector is able to provide reliable, relevant and innovative services, and compete in the modern customer driven energy marketplace. Prior to joining Vector, Nikhil was with Accenture where he held the position of Managing Director for New Zealand operations and also sat on its Global Advisory Council for Telecommunications and Media practice. Prior to his role at Accenture, he was the Head of Technology Strategy for Spark and was part of their group transformation office.
Mark Toner
B.Com.LLB (Hons)
Chief Public Policy and Regulatory Officer
Mark Toner is Vector’s Chief Public Policy & Regulatory Officer, responsible for managing the Group’s regulatory, public policy, sustainability and information and insights functions. Prior to joining Vector in 2016, Mark was a partner at New Zealand law firm, Webb Henderson. He has worked across a range of sectors including energy, telecommunications, aviation and technology industries, both in New Zealand and abroad. In 2018 Mark was awarded a New Zealand Prime Minister Scholarship and completed an Advanced Management Programme at MIT in Boston. His legal and commercial expertise is complemented by a strong track-record in reputation management and stakeholder engagement, including broad government networks.
Brenda Talacek
LLB, MComLaw (Hons)
Chief Operating Officer, Metering and OnGas
Brenda is Vector’s Chief Operating Officer, Metering and OnGas, responsible for managing OnGas (LPG and Natural Gas), Metering NZ/AU and the Kapuni Gas Treatment Plant transition. Prior to joining Vector, Brenda held commercial and legal leadership positions at Genesis Energy, and was Senior Associate at New Zealand law firm Kensington Swan.
Prior to joining the Group’s executive team, Brenda led the Vector’s Gas Trading business and has held senior positions in our Electricity Networks division. Her leadership and commercial focus has helped to deliver strong growth, an excellent record in safety and customer satisfaction. Brenda has a Masters of Commercial Law from Auckland University and Bachelor of Laws from University of Waikato.