Our people
We’re backed by some of the best. Powerco Limited is 49% owned by funds managed by QIC Limited and 51% owned by funds managed by Dexus.
Board of Directors
Providing strategic guidance for Powerco, our Board makes sure we’re on track to perform well for our customers and are accountable to our shareholders. They also focus on creating value for our shareholders into the future.
John Loughlin - Chair
MBA, BCA, FCA, FNZIM, ANZIIF (Fellow), AFInstD, INFINZ (Fellow)
John is a professional Company Director and along with being Chair of the Powerco Board, he is Chair of EastPack, Rockit Global, Coda Group and Blulab.
In his executive career, John was Finance Manager, then Chief Executive of Richmond Limited. He has also worked as an institutional fund manager. John and his wife Kathryn established and own Askerne Estate Winery.
John was appointed to the Powerco Board in December 2013.
Bopha Ly
BEc, GradDipAppFin
Bopha Ly is Managing Director, Energy and Renewables at Dexus, where she is responsible for investment in energy infrastructure and asset management of Dexus’s energy portfolio.
Bopha has more than 25 years of experience in the energy and structured trade and project finance industries, with a focus in energy sector acquisitions, divestments, and investment management across all sub-sectors of the energy industry. Prior to Dexus, Bopha held senior roles at AMP Capital, AGL Energy and Export Finance and Insurance Corporation.
Bopha is a Director at Powerco and has been a director at Endeavour Energy, Evergen and Solar Analytics.
Bopha holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of New South Wales, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Bopha is the Alternate Director for Michael Bessell.
Philip Cory-Wright
BCA, LLB (Hons)
Phillip is a professional Company Director and Business Advisor. He is Chair of Papa Rererangi i Puketapu/New Plymouth Airport. He is also a Director of Matariki Forests, NZ Wind Farms, New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency - Te Pūtea Kāwanatanga ā-rohe and South Port NZ - Te Pūkorokoro o Murihiku.
Previously, Philip was a Solicitor at Bell Gully and a Corporate Advisor with Southpac and Macquarie Bank. He has advised QIC, Auckland Airport, Restaurant Brands and Higgins Family. He specialises in long-life essential assets and advised Powerco on most of its transactions as it moved from being a New Plymouth power company to being the second largest gas and electricity distribution network company in New Zealand.
He is a High Court Solicitor in New Zealand and Victoria and a Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
Philip was appointed to the Powerco Board in October 2019.
Michael Bessell
BEc, LLB (Hons), GradDipAppFin, GAICD
Michael Bessell is Co-Head of Infrastructure at Dexus, where he is responsible for jointly overseeing the $10.5 billion infrastructure funds management business, with a particular focus on origination, separately managed accounts and the PPP portfolio.
Michael has over 30 years of experience in investment management and investment banking, with a focus in acquisitions, fund raising and developing infrastructure projects as a sponsor or principal across all infrastructure subsectors. Prior to his tenure at Dexus, Michael held the same role at AMP Capital, and prior to that held roles at NM Rothschild & Sons and Schroders.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Michael is the Alternate Director for Bopha Ly.
Matt David
Alternate Director for Richard Van Breda
Matt is a Senior Principal in QIC’s Global Infrastructure team, where his role covers investment and asset management activities across government, social and transport sub-sectors. QIC’s Global Infrastructure team manages over $30 billion in infrastructure assets.
Matt has over 18 years’ experience within the infrastructure sector across both finance and civil engineering roles. Prior to joining QIC, Matt was an Associate Director with Capella Capital focusing on origination, financial advisory and delivery of social, Public Private Partnerships and other concession-based assets. During this time, he worked across a range of infrastructure transactions including rail, ports, logistics, convention centres, and social and affordable housing.
Matt is on the board of the Port of Brisbane, Titles Queensland and North Brisbane Infrastructure. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland.
Matt was appointed to the Powerco Board in 2023.
David Kenny
LLB (Hons), BCom, MBA
Senior Principal
David joined QIC in April 2023 and is a senior member of the Portfolio Management Group, with a focus on managing the portfolio’s of QIC’s large institutional clients, as well as asset management and governance activities in the airport and utilities sectors. David has extensive experience as an investment professional and as a director, having served on the boards of Heathrow Airport Holdings, Melbourne Airport, YDA Dalaman Airport and Port Hedland International Airport.
Prior to joining QIC, David was employed at Ferrovial Airports where he was responsible for corporate development and strategy, as well as management of Ferrovial’s investment in London’s Heathrow Airport. David’s experience in Australia includes senior roles at AMP Capital where he managed the company’s Australian airport portfolio, and at Macquarie Group where he was Chief Investment Officer of the airport investment fund known as MAp Airports.
David holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, an MBA from Tulane University and Universidad de Chile, and a Masters of Airport Management from ITAERA Aeronautical Business School in Madrid, Spain.
Richard Van Breda
BCompt (Hons), CA(Z), CA (Aus and NZ), Dip. Fin. Serv. GAICD
Mr Van Breda has been involved in the energy industry since 2001. He has broad knowledge and experience of energy markets and operations.
Mr Van Breda was Chief Executive Officer of Stanwell Corporation Limited, a significant energy business in Queensland, for 9 years and prior to that was Chief Financial Officer.
Mr Van Breda is a Chartered Accountant by profession and was a partner with Deloitte, Zimbabwe. He also spent three years with Anglo American Zimbabwe, which held a diverse range of mining and manufacturing interests.
Mr Van Breda has served as non-executive Director on the board of the Australian Energy Council which represents generation and retail energy businesses in Australia.
Executive Team
The needs of our communities are at the centre of the thinking of our Executive Team. Driving our strategic direction, they help lead our business into the future.
Chris Taylor
Acting Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer
BCom, MBA, CA
Chris is our Chief Financial Officer, leading the teams responsible for Strategy, Business Development and our accounting and treasury activities.
Chris joined Powerco in 2016. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the energy sector and professional services. Prior to joining Powerco he managed the finance function at Counties Power and was a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers advising on a range of sector issues.
He’s a member of the Institute of Directors and Governance NZ.
“Providing stewardship over Powerco’s financial affairs is both challenging and rewarding. We have a fantastic, dedicated team, committed to making sure that the business is ably supported in its decision making, is financially robust and runs efficiently.”
Don Elers
General Manager Gas
Don leads the Gas Team, ensuring the planning and operations of our Gas networks are aligned to deliver the energy mix that customers want today and in the future. This includes the development and integration of biogas and other renewable gases to reduce New Zealand’s emissions and increase renewable energy to help Aotearoa ‘grow to zero’.
With a trade background, starting as an engineering cadet in the gas industry 30 years ago, Don has hands on experience in construction and maintenance, project management and contract management.
He has held senior service delivery and operational roles in the gas sector within New Zealand and is experienced in asset strategy and planning, management of safety and operational risk.
Don joined Powerco in 2010 as the Gas Service Delivery Manager and has successfully led a transformation of an asset-centric delivery model to a customer-focused operations model.
"The challenge for New Zealand to move to a more sustainable energy future is significant. With that challenge comes opportunity, and our gas business is well placed to provide leadership and solutions to transition to a net zero carbon energy mix in New Zealand. It’s more than opportunity – it’s our responsibility. We service New Zealand communities, these are our whānau, so we have a responsibility to ensure the pathway to a sustainable energy future is an affordable one."
Emma Bennett
General Manager Business Transformation
BA, BSc (Hons), MBA, MInstD
Emma is at the forefront of steering our organisation through an exciting era of digital transformation. With a can-do approach and a deep understanding of the intersection between people, technology, and work, Emma is dedicated to leading a cultural shift towards innovation and being customer-led.
Her team is responsible for integrating solutions that unlock new opportunities in customer engagement, operational efficiency, workplace culture, financial and business performance.
Emma joined Powerco in 2019. She has two decades of experience in energy and manufacturing sectors, and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
“Generative AI opens up vast possibilities and is putting once unimaginable solutions at our fingertips. We’re redefining what’s possible in service, choice, and value for our customers.”
Jemma Gerring
General Manager Corporate Services and Company Secretary
LLB (Hons), BA
Jemma heads up the Corporate Services team, responsible for key areas of governance and risk management, including health and safety, sustainability, legal and risk.
Jemma joined Powerco in 2009 and has been General Counsel since 2016. Prior to joining Powerco, she worked as a commercial lawyer in private practice.
A major focus for Jemma is on encouraging innovation and efficiency, making things easier for the business.
"I am proud to work for a company that cares about not just what we deliver, but how we deliver it. Our team is committed to ensuring we keep people safe, meet the evolving needs of our customers and demonstrate care for our environment."
Karen Frew
General Manager Electricity
BEng (Hons), CPEng, Dip FM Mgt
Karen’s team manages our electricity network, responsible for planning, designing, constructing, maintaining and operating our network 24/7. The team utilise the best information and engineering advice from within the electricity group for investment decisions and operations.
Karen has an electrical engineering degree and a diploma in management. She’s a chartered engineer with 25 years’ experience in electricity generation, distribution and large industrial sectors in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
She has held leadership roles in Powerco across engineering, asset management, strategy, system project delivery, regulation, and service delivery and operations.
She was the winner of the NZ Energy Awards Young Executive of the Year in 2013. She joined Powerco in 2002.
“Our team ensures our customers have electricity to thrive in their communities. This includes planning for delivery of regional electricity demands now and in the future, building new assets, replacing old or managing the 24/7 operation of our network. I get really excited about the work we do in partnership with our community stakeholders and service providers to provide the best experience we can for our customers.”
Ryno Verster
DSO Programme Director
BEng, Meng, MBA
Ryno and his team are orchestrating Powerco’s transformation from an electricity Distribution Network Operator to a Distribution System Operator (DSO). This programme is a foundation of Powerco’s future-ready network strategy. It reflects the emerging role of electricity distribution utilities in a more holistic approach to energy and particularly how we will partner with our customers to achieve optimum future energy solutions.
While the DSO team is spearheading the initiative, this is an all of Powerco transformation. Ryno plays a lead role in developing Powerco’s enterprise-wide strategy, as we navigate the changing energy landscape.
Ryno was an executive at Vector prior to joining Powerco in 2015. He has extensive international experience in engineering and management consulting - advising on energy regulation, asset management, asset valuation, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, engineering design and project management. He also plays a leading role in a number of energy industry associations, with a focus on energy transformation.
“The electricity distribution sector faces a period of major challenges, but also huge opportunities. Our contribution to society is more important than ever before - our communities look to us to help them thrive while also helping our country achieve our net zero carbon emission goals.”
Stuart Dickson
General Manager Customer
BEng
Stuart’s team is responsible for transforming the way we work with our customers by putting them at the heart of what we do and delivering new ways of working to help meet the challenges of the electrification of Aotearoa.
Stuart worked in the energy industry for the past 30 years here and in the United Kingdom. He has experience in engineering, asset strategy and management, network and plant operations, project delivery, sales and marketing.
Stuart joined Powerco in 2012 as the General Manager of Gas and moved to his current role in 2020.
“Electricity and gas are incredibly important to our customers and the economy, and I am committed to Powerco delivering the best outcome for our customers.”