Patrick Strange to join Mighty River Power Board

Patrick Strange to join Mighty River Power Board

One of New Zealand’s most experienced electricity industry leaders, Patrick Strange, has been appointed as a director of Mighty River Power and will join the Board in February 2014, following the completion of his tenure as Chief Executive of the National Grid operator, Transpower.

The appointment by the Board fills a casual vacancy arising from Trevor Janes’ retirement at the end of his current term on 31 December 2013.

Mighty River Power Chair, Joan Withers, said Dr Strange had an outstanding record of management experience and strategic leadership in the industry – including overseeing Transpower’s $3.8 billion of essential investment in the National Grid to enhance security and reliability of electricity supply in New Zealand. Dr Strange stepped down as a director of Mighty River Power in 2007 to take up his current role as Transpower Chief Executive. In 2011, he was named Energy Executive of the Year at the Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards.

Mrs Withers said there was ongoing review of the skills and experience on the Mighty River Power Board and the retirement of two directors over the past year provided an opportunity to complement the current range of skills and experience.

“We’re pleased to be welcoming Patrick as a director of the Company, with his deep sector knowledge and successful track record in both management and governance. He is also recognised as a champion of health and safety and the ‘zero harm’ workplace, which is a vital focus for us – in line with the Government’s and WorkSafe NZ’s aspirations for New Zealand businesses.”

Mrs Withers said Trevor Janes had made a significant contribution to Mighty River Power over nearly a decade – a director since 2005, and Deputy Chair since November 2009. “Throughout Trevor has been a strong voice, providing valuable capital markets expertise during a period of major evolution and growth for Mighty River Power.”

Mighty River Power announced at its 2013 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting that it would be bringing the Board complement to eight directors, with the addition of a further director in 2014. Dr Strange and any other director appointed by the Board will retire prior to the next Annual Meeting and stand for election by shareholders – alongside those directors retiring by rotation who are standing for re-election and any other candidates.

ENDS.

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