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Our advisory committees

Our advisory committees provide advice, recommendations and consultation on issues that affect both the industry and its customers to the UDL Board.

  • UDL's Energy Complaints Scheme Advisory Committee is made up of three consumer and three industry representatives. This committee provides advice, recommendations and consultation on issues that affect both the industry and its customers to the UDL Board.

     

    Consumer representatives 

    Jason Sebestian

    Jason is the National Humanitarian Development Manager at NZ Red Cross.  He has been involved in voluntary organisations from an early age and committed to  supporting voluntary work.  

    Cynthia Brophy

    Cynthia is the Chief Executive for the NZ Humans Right Commission.  Previously, she was General Manager at Transpower and before that General Manager for ANZ Bank and The National Bank.  Her leadership focus is on organisational development and people strategy along with innovations in corporate and community programmes.

    Brooke Loader

    Brooke is a mum, community advocate and lawyer. She is an experienced lawyer with a demonstrated history of working in NZ and is skilled in negotiation, customer service and legal research.

    Industry representatives

    Lisa Hannifin, Chief Customer Officer, Meridian

    As General Manager of Meridian’s retail business, Lisa's role includes accountability for the Meridian and Powershop customer brands and the operational retail functions of the Meridian Group. She brings rich experience and insight from a number of customer roles in her career, including a decade in the New Zealand electricity market. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Management from Lincoln University.

    Brian Middleton

    Bryan is the General Manager of Outstanding Customer Experience at Contact Energy Ltd. He has a wealth of experience in customer and business services. 

    Rachel Wansbone

    Rachel is General Manager - Customer and Community at Northpower based in Whangarei.  Her experience extends across sales and marketing through to innovative business solutions, customer centric and community programmes.

  • UDL's Broadband Shared Property Access Disputes Advisory Committee provides advice, recommendations and consultation on issues impacting on the industry and its customers to the UDL Board.

    Consumer representative (End User)

    Ketan Buddhdev

    Ketan began his career as a chartered accountant in the UK and has experience spanning the UK and New Zealand.  Apart from his corporate life in the telecommunications and energy industries he is also an entrepreneur who co-founded two small successful businesses - Big Bed Bumper and Holiday Swap New Zealand. After selling these as profitable going concerns he began to devote his time to start-ups.  Ketan has a unique blend of corporate and customer insights and looks for innovative solutions to deliver both customer focused and commercial success.

     

    Industry Representatives (Scheme Members) 

    Elissa Bradley

    Elissa is legal counsel at Enable Networks

    Nick Miskelly 

    Nick is the Manager Stakeholder, Consenting & Acquisition at Chorus NZ Limited

    Jason Nadin 

    Jason is Commercial Leader at Tuatahi First Fibre and manages Risk & Compliance, Contract Negotiation and Management. He has a keen interest in business and works across strategic and tactical levels to create the best outcomes for the business using a sustainable approach.   

     

     

     

  • Committee Members 

    Helen Atkins

    Helen is a Commissioner/Barrister. She has a wealth of experience in the areas of environmental, public and local government law. Governance activities have included Waiora Aotearoa Water New Zealand Board and the board of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

    Tāwhiao McMaster

    Tāwhiao McMaster is a man who wears many hats.He was first person in New Zealand to be admitted to the Bar in a fully te reo Māori ceremony, and founded consulting firm Te Whakatupuranga o Te Tika.  Tāwhiao believes in intergenerational commitment and making sure that future generations have a good means of support.  

    Cynthia Brophy

    Cynthia is the Chief Executive for the NZ Humans Right Commission.  Previously, she was General Manager at Transpower and before that General Manager for ANZ Bank and The National Bank.  Her leadership focus is on organisational development and people strategy along with innovations in corporate and community programmes.