Our Directors
The Northpower Board of Directors includes a Chair and Directors appointed by the Northpower Trust.
Mark Trigg, Chair
B Eng Chemical and Materials
Ex officio Audit and Risk Committee
People and Capability Committee
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.
Richard additionally has private interests in two dairy farms and an avocado orchard.
Phil Hutchings, Director
B.Eng. (Hons), Dip Bus Admin
Audit and Risk Committee
Phil qualified as a mechanical engineer and later added business qualifications. He has worked widely across Australia's mining sector and led the commercial side of a large export-oriented mine and refinery. He had ten years' experience at partner level in corporate finance, mainly in energy and resources.
Phil's later career included consulting to the energy and renewable sectors. He has served as General Manager and CEO, including two years in the renewable sector in Europe.
Lisbeth Jacobs, Director
PhD (Eng), PGDip Bus, GMP CEDEP-INSEAD, MInstD
Audit and Risk Committee
Lisbeth’s passion for international strategy, change management and innovation is underpinned by strong values in relation to long-term social and environmental sustainability. Lisbeth is Global General Manager Animal Management at Gallagher.
Lisbeth is an elected director of BRANZ and previously was a non-executive director of the NZ technology company Wellington Drive Technologies.
Lisbeth is an experienced director in the technology, engineering and innovations sectors. She brings a focus on customers, a deep understanding of international markets, familiarity with digitisation and long-term strategic outlook to the Northpower board.
Michael James, Director
BCom, CA
Audit and Risk Committee Chair
Michael’s senior executive financial experience in the hi-tech and innovation sector aligns well with Northpower, where he’s been a director since 2014.
Michael’s previous roles include CFO for Plant and Food Research, CFO for Navman and General Manager Europe for Dynamic Controls.
Michelle Kong, Director
BA (Hons I), LLB, L.Mus.A
People and Capability Committee
Michelle brings extensive experience in infrastructure industries to the Northpower board, with experience in strategy, customer and market insights, pricing, corporate finance and growth ventures across the telecommunications, media, building products, waste management and airport sectors. Michelle is passionate about ensuring companies have the right focus, culture and capability to build future focused strategies for a changing world.
Michelle has previously been a Future Director at Auckland Airport and an Independent Director at Snakk Media, and is now part of the leadership team at Smart Environmental as Head of Strategic Projects.
Laurie Kubiak, Director
MAICD, GAICD, MInstD
People and Capability Committee Chair
Laurie’s international career has spanned commercial and strategic roles across the energy, ICT, telco, aviation and infrastructure sectors. Previous responsibilities include leading multi-disciplinary teams across Europe, the US, Africa and Asia for some of the world’s FTSE 100 companies.
Laurie is the Chair of NZSO and Chair of Trustees Executors Limited. Since 2014 Laurie is the Chief Executive for NZIER.
Laurie brings a wealth of commercial strategy, economic, policy and regulation expertise to the Northpower board.