Top business experience added to Techscape board

A significant amount of international business experience has been added 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 have skills and experience that includes local authorities, the maintenance and construction industry, community and customer relations, financial reporting and legal and strategic planning and corporate governance.

Mr Cull has more than 30 years of management experience, having worked for a number of petroleum companies in New Zealand, Australia and Britain. 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 organisations, including Netball New Zealand.

Mr Hassell is the former partner of a major law firm and has advised or worked for a variety of major organisation in the areas of governance, strategic planning and financial analysis. Among the organisations he has been associated with are 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.”

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