Leadership Team

Managing Director

David Baldwin was appointed Chief Executive Officer in May 2006 and became the company’s Managing Director in March 2009. Prior to joining Contact, he was based in Asia and the US overseeing the energy asset interests of a US-based investment fund. Before that, David held senior roles in Asia and the US with MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, a US-based global energy company, and Shell in New Zealand and the Netherlands. David holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical).

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Steve Bielby joined Contact in mid-2008 and is the Company’s General Counsel and Company Secretary. His responsibilities include corporate governance, legal, risk management, internal audit, health safety & environment, communications, regulation and property. Prior to joining Contact, Steve held similar roles in a number of listed New Zealand energy companies and was a partner in a leading national law firm. He holds bachelors degrees in Arts and Law (with Honours) from Auckland University and a masters degree in Law from King’s College, London.

Chief Operating Officer

Graham Cockroft was appointed as Contact Energy’s Chief Operating Officer in June 2009. In this role, Graham is responsible for the operation of Contact’s wholesale and generation functions, including generation development. Before joining Contact, Graham worked for nearly two decades for BG Group in senior strategy, business development and operational roles. Most recently, Graham was BG Group’s Asset General Manager based in Sāo Paulo, Brazil. He holds a Master of Commerce from the University of Otago, and a Master of Finance from the London Business School.

Chief Financial Officer

Mark Elliott joined Contact in November 2009 as Chief Financial Officer. Mark has held a number of senior financial management roles in large energy, mining and industrial companies in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and has worked extensively in electricity and gas markets in roles covering both strategic development and financial management. His most recent role was Regional Director of Australia and Asia for Nyrstar NV, the worlds largest zinc smelting company. Mark holds a Master of Commerce degree with first class honours from Auckland University.

Chief Information Officer and General Manager, ICT

Luc Hennekens joined Contact in October 2007 as General Manager - Information and Communication Technology. Prior to joining Contact he was Client Director at Hewlett-Packard Outsourcing Services. Luc has wide experience in the ICT sector, in roles based in Europe, the Americas and Asia. He holds a Masters degree (with Honours) in Industrial Engineering and Management Science from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.

General Manager - Development and Acquisitions

Liz Kelly joined Contact in December 1999 and is responsible for Contact's strategic planning, acquisitions, and commercial development and provides analytical and strategic support to other parts of the business. Liz has previously managed investor relations and the fuel business within Contact. Liz joined Contact from Rothschilds investment bank where she was Assistant Director in the Utilities and Privatisation team, based in London and Singapore. Liz holds degrees in Commerce and Administration and Law (with Honours) from Victoria University.

General Manager, People and Culture

Annika Streefland joined Contact in January 2010 as General Manager, People and Culture and has a strong background in strategic executive recruitment and human resources. Prior to joining Contact, Annika held the role of Managing Director at a leading international talent management and executive search firm.

General Manager, Enterprise Transformation

Andy joined Contact in January 2010 as General Manager, Enterprise Transformation. This position sees Andy responsible for the company's current SAP systems replacement programme and for ensuring Contact's ongoing evolution as an innovative, dynamic and performance-focussed provider of energy services. Andy has particular experience in change management and the implementation of SAP systems and has led numerous business transformation projects in the energy sector. Andy's most recent role was as Managing Director - Utilities Asia Pacific for Accenture.

General Manager, Retail

Ruth was appointed General Manager, Retail in July 2010. She has held senior management positions with Contact Energy since 2007, serving as both Manager of Retail Transformation and Business Performance, and Manager Customer Solutions. Ruth has a strong background in technology as well as marketing and business operations and has broad experience in change management. Prior to joining Contact, Ruth worked in several senior roles with the BNZ.