CHAIR
Scott St John was appointed a Director of Mercury in September 2017 and Chair of the Board in January 2024. Scott has an extensive background in investment advisory and capital markets. Scott is Chair of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation and a director of Fonterra Cooperative Group, ANZ New Zealand, and Next Foundation. He was formerly a member of the Capital Markets Development Taskforce and the Financial Markets Authority Establishment Board, and was Chancellor of the University of Auckland. He was the Chief Executive of First NZ Capital from 2002 to 2017. Scott is the Chair of our Nominations Committee, and a member of our People and Performance Committee and Risk Assurance & Audit Committee by virtue of his position as Board Chair.
DIRECTOR
Hannah Hamling was appointed a Director of Mercury in February 2020. Hannah is an environmental scientist with a particular interest in sustainable development and resilience. Until January 2020, she was President of the Asia Pacific Region and Global Sustainable Development Leader for Golder, a Canadian global ground engineering and environmental science company. Before joining Golder, Hannah was Managing Director of New Zealand environmental consultancy firm Kingett Mitchell. Hannah has extensive background in consulting, management and board roles across various sectors including electricity, construction and water management. Hannah is a member of our Risk Assurance & Audit Committee.
James Miller was appointed a director of Mercury in May 2012. James is an is an experienced company director and Chair of company Audit and Risk Committees. He has specialist expertise in utility economics and 15 years’ experience in capital markets. He is currently chair of Channel Infrastructure NZ Limited and is a director of Vista Group, and Ryman Healthcare. James’ prior roles have included Chair of NZX, Deputy Chair of Accident Compensation Corporation and board positions with Auckland International Airport, the Financial Markets Authority and Vector.
James is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Institute of Finance Professionals. James is the Chair of our Risk Assurance & Audit Committee, and a member of our Nominations Committee.
Susan Peterson was appointed a Director of Mercury in September 2022. Susan is an experienced director and business leader with a particular interest in helping companies drive growth through technology, innovative customer solutions and organisational culture. She currently chairs Vista Group, is an independent director of Xero, Arvida, Craigs Investment Partners and is a Trustee on the Board of Global Women. Susan is a past director of Trustpower, ASB Bank, The New Zealand Merino Company and Compaq Sorting and Property for Industry. Susan is the Chair of our People and Performance Committee and a member of our Nominations Committee.
Mike Taitoko was appointed a Director of Mercury in August 2015. Mike is a leading advisor on Māori economic development and has well-established networks in Māoridom. Mike has strong commercial skills in the application of digital technologies. He is the co-founder and CEO of Takiwa Limited, and a co-founder and director of Toha Foundry Limited, technology companies commercialising cloud-based geospatial analytics services. He was formerly a Director of Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED). Mike is a member of our People & Performance Committee.
Lorraine Witten was appointed a Director of Mercury in September 2022. Lorraine is an experienced director and business leader with an extensive background in the telco, technology, and ICT sectors. Lorraine currently chairs MOVe Logistics Group and Rakon, and is a director of VWORK. Lorraine has energy sector experience, having been a director of Horizon Energy Group. Lorraine’s previous appointments include as an Advisory Board Member and Audit Committee Chair of the Department of Corrections, Board member WREDA, director of Pushpay Holdings and director and chair of Kordia Group for several years. Lorraine is a member of our Risk Assurance & Audit Committee.
Adrian Littlewood was appointed a Director of Mercury in August 2023.
Adrian brings deep executive experience to Mercury’s board. Adrian’s executive career included 12 years at Auckland International Airport, nine of these as CEO. Before that he held senior roles across strategy, operations, product, and marketing with Telecom New Zealand. Previous governance roles include acting as the New Zealand chair of the Australia/New Zealand Leadership Forum, chair of the NZ Airports Association, a director of North Queensland Airports and Tourism Industry Aotearoa. Adrian is a member of our People and Performance Committee.
Mark Binns was appointed a Director of Mercury in September 2023. Mark brings significant energy experience to Mercury. Mark was CEO of Meridian Energy from 2012 – 2017 and before that spent 22 years with Fletcher Building, including 15 years as CEO of the Construction and Infrastructure division. He currently chairs Crown Infrastructure Partners and Hynds Limited and is a director of Auckland International Airport. Mark is a member of our Risk Assurance & Audit Committee.