Four new directors appointed to the Board of Watercare Services Ltd will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the company, says the chair of the Shareholders Representative Group (SRG), Dr Bruce Hucker. The new directors are:

„h The Rt Hon Sir Douglas Graham, whose relevant expertise includes his experience working with iwi, and negotiation and customer relationship skills.
„h Mr Trevor Janes, who has financial and commercial expertise, including from his role as a director of Accident Compensation Corporation, where he was also a member of the Board Audit and Investment Committee.
„h Dr Ian Parton, whose primary expertise is in engineering, but who also has considerable experience in governing a major company through his position as Chair of the Ceramco/Bendon Board of Directors.
„h Mr Gary Taylor, who has experience in the areas of environment, resource management and sustainable development, and experience as a member of the Board of Auckland Healthcare and Infrastructure Auckland.
Dr Hucker, who is the Deputy Mayor of Auckland City, says the SRG looked closely at the future needs of Watercare Services Ltd, and the mix of skills and experience required on the Board when considering the new appointments.

¡§I am delighted with the calibre of the new board members. Their skills in the areas of iwi and customer relations, financial management, engineering and sustainable development will contribute enormously to the company¡¦s ability to meet its future challenges,¡¨ says Dr Hucker. . . . more
The new directors have been appointed as a result of a recruitment process instigated in November 2000.

¡§An annual review of the Board recommended an increase in the number of directors from seven to eight, and these new directors have been appointed to fill the extra position and replace three directors who have recently resigned,¡¨ says Dr Hucker.

Dr Hucker says the shareholders are very pleased with the excellent contribution the continuing and retiring directors have made.

¡§Under the previous board, Watercare maintained an uninterrupted supply of A grade water, won the Institute of Chartered Accountants Environmental Reporting Award six years in a row, and oversaw the first phase of the on-time and on-budget upgrade of the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant, ¡¨ says Dr Hucker.

Watercare Services Ltd is the largest company in the water and wastewater industry in New Zealand and is jointly owned by the city and district councils of Auckland, Manuaku, North Shore, Papkura, Rodney and Waitakere.

The Shareholders Representative Group represents Watercare Services Ltd¡¦s six local authority shareholders and appoints an independent Board of Directors to govern the company.

The continuing directors are Mr Peter Drummond (chair), Mr Jonathan Blakeman, Professor Ray Meyer and Mr David Sadler.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Councillor Dr Bruce Hucker, tel: 025 722 294.

NB: For bios or photographs, please contact:
Matt Bostwick, Public Affairs and Advocacy, Auckland City Council, tel:
(09) 373 6296.

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