MEDIA RELEASE
Infrastructure New Zealand has appointed three new directors to its Board this week. Natalie McClew, Rhys Clark and Fraser Wyllie have joined the team, as announced at yesterday’s AGM.
Natalie joins as Partner at PwC within their Infrastructure and Merger and Acquisitions team. She offers a broad range of expertise with a focus on infrastructure and complex situations. With more than 15 years’ of corporate finance, banking and advisory experience, Natalie has a deep understanding of the challenges facing New Zealand’s infrastructure sector, particularly on pathfinder transactions.
Natalie also has strong international experience in restructuring, turnaround, and structured financing across the leveraged, mergers and acquisitions, and project finance spectrum. She sits on a number of project advisory boards and is a founding member of the Women in Infrastructure NZ Advisory Board.
Rhys Clark, Commercial Director at Tonkin + Taylor, brings more than 15 years’ of CFO-level experience in a career spanning the banking, funds management, insurance, infrastructure and telecommunications industries. Rhys understands the importance of resilience and sustainability in building strong, connected communities and robust economies. He is experienced in leadership of all key finance disciplines, and is well-versed in developing and maintaining working relationships at the Board level.
Fraser Wyllie has had a distinguished career in the New Zealand engineering and construction sector. He joins the Board from McConnell Dowell where he’s Managing Director of their New Zealand and Pacific business. With more than 30 years’ experience in the construction industry in New Zealand and overseas, most recently as General Manager Projects at Downer, Fraser has broad experience in infrastructure construction, and a strong track record of overseeing both quality project execution and sustained commercial growth.
Infrastructure New Zealand Chair, Margaret Devlin, welcomed the new members by saying, “I am delighted by the diverse skills and strengths that Natalie, Rhys and Fraser bring to Infrastructure New Zealand’s Board. Their addition to our governance team will bring fresh new perspectives, and bolster our advocacy work and initiatives. With their contributions, I’m confident our Board will provide valuable guidance and strategic direction as we work to address the key challenges currently faced by our sector.”
On behalf of Infrastructure New Zealand, Margaret also thanked Ian Purdy, Phil Gurnsey and Grant Hodges who retire from the Board this week after more than five years each of dedicated service.
Phil Gurnsey is a passionate advocate of working with others to shape what the future should look like, and more importantly how to get there. During his time on the Board, Phil provided practical direction, engaging effectively and upholding the importance of effective buy-in from stakeholders.
Ian Purdy has been a true advocate for innovation throughout his time on the Board. He was actively involved in the formation of the Infrastructure Commission, laying down the challenge for sustainable infrastructure funding and the importance of partnerships to deliver the infrastructure of the 21st century.
Well-known for his role with Ernst & Young’s Infrastructure Advisory team, Grant Hodges brought his experience and passion to the Board during his tenure. An active and engaged member, Grant was a key supporter for the creation of the Women in Infrastructure Advisory Board and Network, which with his support has grown from strength to strength since its inception.
Media contact
Melanie Drumm 0221201672