Roger Sutton appointed CEO of Orion

Roger Sutton appointed CEO of Orion New Zealand

The new chief executive of Orion New Zealand is Roger Sutton, the company’s general manager operations, Orion chairman Linda Constable announced today.

Mr Sutton takes up the position on 1 May 2003. Ms Constable says the Orion Board was delighted to make the appointment and was excited at the prospect of working with Mr Sutton to take Orion forward.

“The appointment process was contestable with a strong field of 38 candidates from both New Zealand and Australia. He was an outstanding candidate.

“Mr Sutton’s appointment reflects the confidence the Board has in his ability to drive the company forward. He is highly regarded both in the energy sector and within the company.”

Mr Sutton says he is delighted to accept the position and looks forward to implementing the strong vision he has for Orion. “It is a company I obviously know well and I see clearly the opportunities we have for the future. I’m thrilled to be asked to lead it.”

Mr Sutton has worked in the energy industry for more than 15 years and has extensive experience at general management level, including managing operational and strategic development projects in the New Zealand energy industry.

He has operated at a senior level in both the electricity and gas industries in both customer service/sales roles as well as in the management of infrastructure. He played a key role in managing the gas retailing and network business, Enerco New Zealand, during the time it formed part of Orion’s business.

In his most recent role at Orion, Mr Sutton had key operational responsibility for the electricity network, and for commercial relationships with energy retailers and Transpower.

He has also been involved on a number of government industry groups, including being seconded to the Minister of Energy’s office as an advisor during the 2001 energy shortage, and as member of the New Zealand Energy Market rules committee, and market rules structure groups in the late 1990s.

He is a director of Energetics Pty, Australia’s largest energy consulting business, a board member of the University of Canterbury Centre for Advanced Engineering, and a trustee of Christchurch-based Community Energy Action.

Mr Sutton was appointed Orion’s general manager operations, in December 2002. He has been acting CEO since early March 2003.

© Scoop Media