Leadership team
Our board, senior leaders and 140-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 16 years global experience in oil and gas and utility industries and is the former GM Finance for WEL Networks.
She is the Chair of Te Nehenehenui Trust, a Board member of ACC, Director on Crown Infrastructure partners, Te Ohu Kai Moana, and NZ Health Investments Limited, and is an Independent Director on 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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Craig Richardson
Craig is an internationally experienced CEO, CFO and non-executive director across the infrastructure, technology, healthcare and FMCG sectors.
Currently he is CEO of healthcare company Autonomy, a partner at professional advisory board firm Faraday and executive director of Founders Capital.
Craig has previously been a non-executive director of private companies, listed companies, crown entities and President of CPA Australia in New Zealand.
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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 current CEO of Pioneer Energy, a position held since 2010. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the energy sector as an energy consultant in South Africa before moving to New Zealand.
Fraser’s areas of experience include project development, contracting, electrical and fibre networks, renewable generation, electricity retail and industrial and waste to energy supply.
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 — Operational Excellence
Craig’s experience in the electricity industry covers 30 years, with a range of senior management roles under his belt, including engineering, asset management and energy metering.
Craig has been working with TLC for eight years, contributing to various bodies of work, including acting GM network.
As GM operational excellence, he is responsible for the implementation of strategic projects relating to business improvement and growth. In addition, Craig also oversees TLC’s communications function.
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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 22 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 joined TLC in 2018. She is an experienced senior financial manager with a strong commercial, financial, regulatory, and systems background. She has successfully led financial system changes, provided financial support for acquisitions, and established a business partnering model for the company’s finance services.
She is responsible for providing financial and commercial support to the business ensuring strong financial, regulatory and IT management.
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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.