Trustee Profiles

Chairman

Formerly Chief Executive of Farmlands, John operates his own business, as a company director and business advisor. He is a director of Mission Wines, C-Dax Systems Ltd, Direct Imports Ltd and is on the Advisory Boards of Stewart Financial Group, 3R Group, Hurlstone Earthmoving Ltd and Smart Franchising Ltd. John is the Chairman of the Hawke's Bay Helicopter Rescue Trust and a Trustee of the New Zealand Export Academy.

John was elected to the Trust in 2008. He recognises the importance of ensuring that best commercial practice is applied to the governance and management of the Unison Networks operation. He sees the need to balance the current needs of consumers with the long term objective of sustaining an effective and efficient service.

Diana was first elected to the Trust in 2002. She is Hawke’s Bay born and raised and has four sons. Diana wants to ensure that the value of the Trust’s investment in Unison continues to be protected and enhanced on behalf of the consumer-owners.

As a Trustee, Diana actively support projects carried out by the Trust. She also fully supports the Company’s intention for increased under-grounding of power lines and the annual cash rebate policy for all consumers.

Diana has a real passion for working in the community and served 6 years on the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board. Diana is also active in education as an EIT manager.

James is employed as the Director of Strategy Development for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Before this he worked as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and previously as an advisor, including on energy and climate change matters, to the ministers of Economic Development and Consumer Affairs.

As well as chairing the Eastern and Central Community Trust, James is privately involved with developing wind and hydro power generation in the region.

James is an advocate for local ownership of strategic assets, lower prices for low users, greater energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable energy production.

Arch is a Chartered Accountant with broad business experience in the accountancy profession and industry, including more than 20 years involvement in the electricity industry.

He is committed to ensuring that control of Unison remains in the hands of Hawkes' Bay Consumers, that the company continues to operate at a very efficient level, and that the best possible deal is obtained for consumers both through high quality service and substantial dividends.

John is a self employed Consultant Electrical Engineer with 40 years of professional power engineering experience at national and local level. He is now providing engineering services to local and regional authorities.

John has been involved in major power projects and is committed to the electricity supply industry and its involvement with New Zealand's economic development.

John believes that the present Trust ownership should be retained and that all the benefits of such ownership should be returned to you, the owners of Unison. John proposes to see to it that the customers continue to receive power supply at the best possible costs and reliability and that the directors of the company continue to grow the business to the customers economic advantage at all times.