New appointments for ENA

The Electricity Networks Association has appointed new staff to take forward its new strategy focusing on innovation, advocacy, customers and health and safety.

David de Boer has been appointed Senior Adviser, Regulatory and Policy and Richard Le Gros, Senior Adviser, Customer and Innovation. A Senior Communications Adviser role is currently being filled by Sharon Williams on a short term contract. "We are delighted to welcome David, Richard and Sharon to the team. They bring with them a wealth of experience and skill in their specialist areas," ENA chief executive Graeme Peters said. "The electricity sector is fast moving with legislative changes, policy and new technologies all impacting on our members. We have built this team to respond to that, and look forward to having a more dynamic presence in the sector," Mr Peters said.

David, an economist with experience in the energy sector, has consulted for the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. He has an extensive background in telecommunications and also has an MBA in strategy, marketing and finance.

He will help set the strategic direction of the policy and regulatory agenda for the organisation. "David will support the ENA's objective to provide effective advocacy for our members. His expertise will enable us to provide constructive input into the decision-making of government agencies such as the Commerce Commission, the Electricity Authority, MBIE and Worksafe.

Legislation like the Resource Management Act, for example, has a huge impact on our members so making sure we have a clear and concise position and plan of action is crucial," Mr Peters said. Richard, who takes up the position of Senior Adviser, Customer and Innovation in mid May, returns from London where he has spent the past eight years working for the UK's Energy Networks Association developing policy for the energy sector.

His experience covers health and safety, emergency planning, EU regulation and adaptation to climate change.

He has most recently been working on the British Government's smart meter roll-out programme. Richard will help our members adapt and grow their businesses by identifying and harnessing opportunities from emerging technologies and changing consumer trends.

His expertise will enable us to advocate for a regulatory regime that recognises the changing technical and consumer landscape; for example removing the impediments to members installing charging stations for electric vehicles.

He will support an ENA Smart Technology Working Group that is to be established and his role will work to encourage the sector to enhance engagement and communication with consumers. The ENA will also improve its communications.

Sharon Williams, an experienced communications professional, has worked across a number of sectors in New Zealand and the United Kingdom including local government, transport, education and health. She worked on the award winning press team at Transport for London and has experience in social media, marketing and campaigns with the UK's National Health Service.

Sharon will set up the senior communications adviser role, help build the profile of the organisation and the work it does, write a communications strategy and revamp the ENA website. "It's an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to implementing our new strategy and really making a difference for our members and to the sector," Mr Peters said.