The Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT) has appointed Fraser Jonker and Todd Spencer to the board of The Lines Company (TLC).
William Oliver, chair of WESCT, says the trustees are delighted with the skills and experience Fraser and Todd bring to The Lines Company board.
“Fraser and Todd are high calibre directors with relevant industry experience who will strengthen the skills we have on The Lines Company board. Their addition should give customers in our community confidence in the quality of the board which is guiding the future performance of The Lines Company.”
“The role of WESCT as 100% owner of TLC is to attract and appoint a skilled board of directors and provide oversight, so our community has an efficient and reliable electricity distribution system. The Trust was pleased with the strong interest in these positions.”
Fraser Jonker has spent over a decade as the CEO of Otago-based renewable electricity generator Pioneer Energy. Pioneer Energy is 100% owned by Central Lakes Trust. His career experience spans electrical engineering, construction, maintenance and asset management.
Mr Jonker says he is looking forward to the role, “I’m excited by the opportunity to support the long-term vision of The Lines Company. I understand the importance of electricity services to local communities through my role leading Pioneer. I know directing investment into reliable long-term assets will be important to the King Country and Waitomo communities as well.”
Todd Spencer (Ngāi Tahu) is a senior commercial lawyer with Juno Legal based in Wellington. He has deep electricity industry and infrastructure experience, gained throughout his legal career and while an executive at Contact Energy where he was the Head of Commercial & New Ventures.
Mr Spencer says, “The growth of new energy technologies, the drive to decarbonise the New Zealand energy system and the increasing focus of regulators, makes this an interesting time for network companies, and for the New Zealand electricity industry more broadly. The Lines Company is well placed to respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by these factors, continuing to build on the high-quality services it provides to its customers throughout the King Country, Ruapehu and Central Plateau.”
Mr Oliver says Fraser and Todd’s appointments replace positions vacated by Mark Darrow who retired in October 2021 and Doug Troon who retired in April 2022. “The WESCT Trustees would like to thank Mark again for his contribution, and to recent retiree Doug for his dedication and commitment to The Lines Company. We wish him well for his future endeavours.”
“These appointments of Fraser and Todd add depth to the strong commercial skills we have around the Lines Company Board. We were impressed with the focus and experience they both have on delivering high quality, efficient and reliable services to customers,” Mr Oliver says.
“Appointing directors who understand the importance of our community’s electricity asset, and have experience in developing it, is central to how we will deliver our WESCT vision.”
“Having this focus around the board is important to the Trustees as it will ensure the best decisions are made to grow and enhance our intergenerational community asset.”
“We look forward to their contribution as we continue to work with The Lines Company for the benefit of our community.”
