Our Directors
Meet our Directors
The Board of Directors are appointed by the Northpower Electric Power Trust to supervise the management of the company. The Board establishes the company’s objectives, overall policy framework, and monitors management performance.
Mark Trigg, Chair
B Eng Chemical and Materials
Ex officio Audit and Risk, People and Capability, Investment Committees
Mark brings extensive industry experience with a career in the energy sector encompassing asset management, operations, strategy, market trading and portfolio management, and large-scale project management. He has also held roles in the financial markets industry.
Mark’s current directorships include Liquigas, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Holdings Limited and subsidiaries.
Richard Booth, Director
MBA, Dip Ag
Audit and Risk Committee
Richard brings a robust governance background to the Northpower board, with previous directorships in the food and dairy industries including Delta Produce, Northland Dairy Co-op, the New Zealand Dairy Board, Kiwi Co-op and Fonterra. He also recently served as a ministerial appointee to the commission governing Kaipara District Council, and was an Executive Member of NZ Avocado Growers Association and a Director of NZ Avocado Ltd.
Richard additionally has private interests in two dairy farms and an avocado orchard.
Phil Hutchings, Director
B.Eng. (Hons), Dip Bus Admin
Investment Committee Chair, People and Capability Committee
Phil, a qualified mechanical engineer with additional business qualifications, has extensive experience in Australia’s mining industry. He successfully led the commercial operations of a prominent export-oriented mine and refinery. With ten years as a partner in corporate finance, specialising in energy and resources, Phil’s expertise is well established.
His career also encompasses consulting in the energy and renewable sectors, as well as holding positions as General Manager and CEO, including two years in Europe’s renewable sector.
Michelle Kong, Director
BA (Hons I), LLB, L.Mus.A
People and Capability Committee Chair
Bringing extensive experience in infrastructure industries, Michelle’s expertise spans strategy, customer insights, market analysis, pricing, corporate finance, and growth ventures in telecommunications, media, building products, waste management, andairport sectors.
Previously, Michelle served as a Future Director at Auckland Airport, an Independent Director at Snakk Media, and currently consults to some early-stage companies in the wireless vehicle charging and education sectors.
Laurie Kubiak, Director
MAICD, GAICD, MInstD
Audit and Risk Committee
Laurie’s international career encompasses commercial and strategic roles in energy, ICT, telco, aviation, and infrastructure sectors. He has led multi-disciplinary teams in Europe, USA, Africa, and Asia for several FTSE 100 companies. Laurie is the owner and CEO of Nautech Electronics Ltd, and was formerly the Chief Executive of NZIER and Chair of NZSO and Trustees Executors Limited.
Laurie brings a wealth of expertise in commercial strategy, economics, policy, and regulation to the Northpower board.
Kerry Friend, Director
CAANZ, CMInstD, AICD, BMS
Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Investment Committee
Kerry brings extensive financial management, strong governance, and risk management expertise to Northpower’s board. Hailing from Whangārei, Kerry began his career with EY before venturing to Asia, holding senior finance positions primarily in the media and entertainment sector.
Kerry is a co-founder and Executive Director of NZX-listed Trade Window Holdings Limited and holds a Bachelor of Management Studies, is a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kevin Drinkwater, Director
BCom, CA
People and Capability Committee, Investment Committee
Kevin brings extensive technology, finance, and supply chain experience to the Northpower board. Born and raised in Northland, he has a deep connection to the region. Much of Kevin’s expertise was gained in executive and operational roles with Mainfreight. He was based in New Zealand and the USA, during his 34 year tenure there.
Kevin serves as the Chair of Duffy Books in Homes NZ, a founding board member of Books in Homes USA, a director of Far North Holdings and Bay of Islands Marina, and a past director of SPCA Auckland and TUANZ.
David Prentice, Director
B.Eng. (Hons), PhD (Eng), MInstD, CPEng
Audit and Risk Committee
David brings broad energy sector expertise to the Northpower Board. He is currently the Chief Executive of NZ Windfarms and prior to that, he was Chief Executive and Director of Trustpower, with particular focus on their hydro generation and new development business and was subsequently appointed inaugural Chief Executive upon the entity’s rebranding to Manawa Energy.
David has also chaired the Interim Committee for Climate Change. Before that he was Chief Executive and Managing Director of Opus International Consultants, as well as non-independent and executive Director on the Opus Board.
Julia Steenson, Future Director
Julia (Ngāti Whātua, Tainui, Ngāti Hine) is a lawyer and experienced governor, who currently sits on the board of Kia Puawai/Youth Horizons and Whai Manawa GP, the commercial entity for Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua.
Previously Julia was an elected representative on the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board, and a director of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited.
In 2020 Julia was appointed as a Royal Commissioner on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state and faith based care, among holding other significant leadership roles throughout her career.