The Board has determined for the purposes of the NZX Listing Rules that, as at 30 June 2018, Mark Verbiest, Kim Ellis, Abby Foote, Peter Kean, and Mark Rushworth are independent Directors. Andrea Staines was appointed as an independent non-executive Director on 20 August 2018.
Mark was appointed a Director in February 2010 and Chairman in October 2018. He is a professional director with a strong working knowledge of technology and technology-related businesses, as well as having extensive capital markets experience. A lawyer by training, with widespread corporate legal experience in private practice, he spent over 7 years on the senior executive team of Telecom NZ through until mid-2008, where among other things he had executive accountability for two business units. Mark recently retired from his role as Chairman of Spark New Zealand Limited. Mark is currently Chairman of Willis Bond Capital Partners Limited, MyCare Limited (an early-staged digital company) and UDC Finance Limited. Mark is also a director of ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited and Meridian Energy Limited and a member of the Advisory Board of The Treasury.
Abby was appointed a Director in June 2018. She is a professional director with over 10 years’ governance experience, with qualifications in both law and accounting, Abby has experience in a range of senior management, finance and legal roles, with a focus on corporate finance and commercial transactions. Abby is currently a director of Z Energy Limited, where she chairs the Health, Safety, Security & Environment Committee; a director and chair of the audit & risk committees of The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, TVNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation Limited; and a director of Sanford Limited.
Andrea was appointed a director in August 2018. Based in Australia, she has 12 years’ governance experience with an undergraduate degree in Economics, and an MBA focused on financial analysis and strategy. Andrea’s executive experience was mostly in airlines, including American Airlines in Dallas, and Qantas Group in Sydney. During her last five years at Qantas, she co-launched international subsidiary, Australian Airlines (mark II), as Chief Commercial Officer, becoming CEO soon after launch. Earlier roles at Qantas included running Global Revenue Management. Andrea has chaired multiple Board Committees, including Audit & Risk, Remuneration & Nomination, and temporary Committees with a business unit or project focus. Andrea is currently a director of SeaLink Travel (Australia), Long-term Asset Partners, UnitingCare Qld, Tourism Australia and NDIA (the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme Agency).
Kim was appointed a Director in August 2009. He spent 28 years in chief executive roles in a number of sectors, including 13 years as Managing Director of Waste Management NZ Limited until its sale in 2006 to Transpacific Industries Pty Limited, and has developed businesses in both New Zealand and Australia. Kim is now a professional director working with both private and listed companies. Kim is currently a director and the Chairman of NZ Social Infrastructure Fund Limited, Metlifecare Limited and Sleepyhead Group Limited. He is also a director of Port of Tauranga Limited, FSF Management Company Limited and Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited and an advisor to Envirowaste Services Limited.
Mark was appointed a Director of Freightways in September 2015. He has extensive experience in the technology sector, with a decade’s governance experience, predominantly in the high tech and innovation space. An electrical engineer by training, with widespread operations and marketing experience, he spent four years on the senior executive team of Vodafone NZ through until 2010, where among other things he had executive accountability for the fixed line business and as executive director of marketing. Mark previously served as chief executive of Pacific Fibre, Paymark Limited and internet provider ihug.
Peter was appointed a Director in July 2016. He brings to Freightways many years of senior executive experience with the Lion group of companies in both New Zealand and Australia. Peter’s last executive roles were as Managing Director of Lion Nathan New Zealand and Managing Director of Lion Dairy and Drinks, based in Melbourne. Peter retired from Lion in 2014 and has since developed his career in governance. Peter is also a Director of Sanford Limited, the New Zealand Rugby Union and a number of private companies.