Top business experience brought to Techscape board
A significant amount of international business experience has been brought to Council-controlled company Techscape
Limited with the appointment of three additional directors.
The appointment of Nelson Cull, Peter Hassell and Miklos (Mike) Szabo to Techscape’s independent board, brings its total
number of directors to six – the maximum allowed under the company’s constitution. Existing directors included Ross
Jewell (chairperson), Bruce Connor and Noel Fowler.
The three new appointees were deemed to have the necessary skills and experience for the job, including local authority
knowledge and experience, sound knowledge of the maintenance and construction industry, strong community and customer
relations focus, financial reporting and legal and strategic planning experience, and commitment to and experience in
corporate governance.
Mr Cull brings more than three decades of management experience, having worked for a number of petroleum companies in
New Zealand, Australia and London. In recent years he has held the positions of General Manager (Retail) at Contact
Energy and Chief Operating Officer at Works Infrastructure. He is currently the director of three companies, including
Netball New Zealand.
Mr Hassell is the former partner of a major law firm and has experience in governance, strategic planning and financial
analysis from having advised or worked for such organisations as the Auckland Regional Services Trust, Infrastructure
Auckland and America’s Cup Village Ltd. He has also worked for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as a
policy advisor.
Mr Szabo brings about 40 years experience in engineering, local government management, strategic planning and contract
management. The former Franklin District Council CEO and Auckland University director is currently a principal
consulting engineer with Fraser Thomas Partners and a consultant to Watercare Services on local authority relations.
Owned equally by Waitakere and North Shore city councils and operated as a Council-controlled Trading Organisation (or
CCTO), Techscape Ltd specialises in maintenance contracting and asset management, primarily in water, wastewater and
greenscape areas.
Techscape is a major competitor for physical works and maintenance contracts in the Auckland region – and also provides
emergency services support when required.
Waitakere City Councillor, Greg Presland – a member of the Joint Working Party established to form the interview panel
for the directorship positions – says there was no shortage of candidates. Eight people were short-listed for an
interview from an original pool of 42 applicants.
“The three successful applicants demonstrated a good understanding of the governance role required and what Techscape is
seeking to achieve, as well as a commitment to working for the benefit of both Councils,” he says.
“We’re confident we’ve found the best people to fill the positions.”