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.
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 and Culture OFFICER
Fiona Michel is responsible for people, capability and culture at Vector. 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 and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. Professionally, Fiona is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom and a Fellow Certified Practitioner and Non-Executive Director 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
LLB (Hons), BCom
Chief Public Policy and Regulatory Officer
With over 20 years’ experience across a range of sectors including energy, telecommunications, aviation and technology, Mark Toner has consistently navigated market, regulatory and policy changes across industries in disruption. Responsible for leading the Group’s regulatory, public policy, sustainability and data insights functions, he combines strong stakeholder engagement and reputation management expertise with his commercial and legal background to drive Vector’s vision of Creating a New Energy Future. In 2017, Mark was awarded the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Business Scholarship and in 2018 completed an Advanced Management Programme at MIT in Boston.
Brenda Talacek
LLB, MComLaw (Hons)
Chief Operating Officer, Metering and OnGas
Brenda Talacek 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. Before joining the Group’s executive team, Brenda led 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.
Sarah Williams
BA, Cert. Journalism
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Sarah Williams is responsible for developing and delivering Vector Group’s Marketing and Communications strategy. She is a seasoned executive with 30 years’ experience in communication related roles at an executive and board level with broad experience in both the corporate and agency environments. Sarah joins Vector from Porter Novelli, a public relations and marketing agency where she held the position of Managing Director. Her experience ranges from crisis management, stakeholder engagement, reputation management, to consumer PR, internal communications, brand management, digital and social. In 2019, Sarah was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand in recognition of her significant contribution to the industry and high levels of competence.
John Rodger
LLB, BA
Chief Legal and Assurance Officer and Company Secretary
John Rodger is Vector’s Chief Legal and Assurance Officer and Company Secretary, responsible for legal, corporate governance, business performance, internal audit, risk, compliance, privacy and government relations. He brings a deep experience managing business performance and resilience in the context of fast-moving and rapidly changing environments. John has significant legal and commercial expertise gained from working across a range of sectors including energy, telecommunications and financial services. John joined Vector in 2006 from O2 in the UK and has held legal roles in major corporates and in professional services firms in London, the Cayman Islands and New Zealand.
Peter Ryan
BE
chief operating officer electricity, gas and fibre
Peter Ryan is responsible for the strategic operations of the electricity, gas and fibre network businesses. He has 20 years’ international experience within the telecommunications industry, leading engineering, field and operational teams in the deployment, operations, and maintenance of mobile and fixed networks.
Most recently, Peter was the Chief Network Engineering Officer - Network & Service Operations at NBNCo Australia, where he oversaw the highly successful implementation of the broadband network. He brings a wealth of experience in operations management, performance transformation as well as a proven ability working across technical, operational, and commercial strategy to optimise business objectives.