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For immediate release
13 November 2007
New chairperson for electricity and gas consumer complaints
commission
The independent body that oversees
the handling of disputes between consumers and their electricity
and gas companies has a new Chairperson.
Wellington company director
Dr Richard Janes takes over as Chairperson of the Electricity
and Gas Complaints Commission from retiring chair Alison Paterson
next month. Ms Paterson had served as chairperson since the
inception of the independent complaints scheme in 2001.
As chairperson of the Electricity
and Gas Complaints Commission, Dr Janes will lead a commission
made up of two consumer and two industry company representatives.
The commission is responsible for ensuring the effective operation
of the electricity and gas complaints scheme.
Dr Janes brings a wealth of
professional experience to the role. Existing company directorships
include the deputy chairmanship of newly merged SOE AsureQuality
Ltd; deputy chair designate of the Crown Research Institute,
Crop and Food Research Ltd; director of the high-tech agricultural
supply and marketing group, Gallagher Holdings Ltd, Wellington’s
CentrePort Ltd, and strategic and financial advisory company
LEK Consulting Pty Ltd. Before becoming a full-time company
director he was Chief Executive of the New Zealand Game Industry
Board.
Dr Janes says his focus as Chairperson
will be working with the government, industry, consumers and
the Commissioner to ensure electricity and gas consumers and
member companies continue to be served by an effective and
independent complaints resolution scheme.
Founding chairperson Alison
Paterson leaves the Electricity and Gas Complaints Commission
after six years, having recently accepted a new appointment
on the board of electricity company Vector Networks, and to
continue her many other chair, deputy chair and director roles
for New Zealand companies and organisations.
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