Barrie Leay, a long-time advocate for renewable energy and director of several entrepreneurial New Zealand businesses, was presenting at an alternative fuels conference in Sydney last week when he became ill and died later in hospital.
Barrie Leay, chairman of NZAX-listed Windflow Technology died unexpectedly in Australia on Friday at age 73.
In a statement to the stock exchange, the company said Mr Leay, a long-time advocate for renewable energy and director of several entrepreneurial New Zealand businesses, was presenting at an alternative fuels conference in Sydney last week when he became ill and died later in hospital.
“Barrie was a “larger-than-life” character who seemed invincible”, said Windflow CEO and director Geoff Henderson.
“His optimism and enthusiasm for renewable energy, coupled with his technical knowledge and can-do attitude has made a lasting difference to the industry. He will be sorely missed by all those who worked with him”.
Mr Leay had been a director of Windflow since its incorporation in 2000 and became chairman in 2003. The company’s deputy chairman Heugh Kelly will take over as interim chairman.
Mr Leay’s prior roles included executive director of the Electricity Supply Association of New Zealand and chairman of the APEC Energy Business Network in the Asia Pacific.
