Barbara is an electrical engineering with power systems background. A short stint in transmission system development with the NZED was followed by commercial experience with Comalco, looking after the aluminium smelter power contracts and liaison with both Transpower and ECNZ. This was followed by past directorships with Transpower, Genesis and Counties Energy.

Barbara was appointed to the ETEL Board in 2023 and also holds board roles with Unison, ERGO and a solar inverter startup, Easy Warm. Barbara also sits on the board of the Smart Energy Council, the Australian solar peak body based in Canberra, and is a member of the Security and Reliability council of the Electricity Authority.

Barbara is keen to gain a better understanding of the Hawke’s Bay region and its economic contribution to the rest of New Zealand, and to help ETEL grow as it meets the challenges and opportunities presented by decarbonisation and an electricity sector becoming much more engaged with communities.

Jon’s background is in finance and commercial growth initiatives with over 30 years’ experience. His strengths include strategy development, risk management, collaborations, infrastructure life cycle management and capital structuring. As an experienced director and consultant, he has led and overseen many strategic and operational initiatives across a variety of private, public and not-for-profit entities.

Jon was appointed to the ETEL Board in 2025, and his other current directorships include Ngawha Generation, Top Energy, Eastland Generation and Hawke’s Bay Airport. Additionally, Jon is the Independent Chair of Risk and Assurance at Hastings District Council, and Audit and Risk at Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust.

Former directorships include Electra, Palmerston North Airport, Napier Port, Eastland Group of Companies and Centralines where Jon was the Chair.