New independent directors and chair at TeamTalk

Monday 15th March 2004

Mobile radio communications company TeamTalk has appointed three independent directors to the company's board.

The new directors are Joe Pope, Beverley Wakem and Tone Borren with Pope replacing Paul Collins as chairman of the board. Collins will remain a director of TeamTalk.

TeamTalk managing director David Ware said the appointments were an exciting step forward for the company.

"We are delighted to welcome Joe, Beverley and Tone to our board. Their vast commercial experience and expertise further strengthens our company's capabilities, and ensures we are well placed for an escalation in business activities," Ware said.

Pope brings a wide range of corporate governance, marketing, strategy and change management skills to TeamTalk's board. His current directorships include Martinborough Vineyard Estates, Dow Real Estate (Chairman), Anzon Energy, Mooring Systems and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. His former directorships include Fruitfed, Rural Properties, Enza UK, Enza Europe, Frucor Holdings and he was previously chief executive of Petrochemical Corporation of New Zealand and the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board (ENZA). He also chairs the Wellington Rugby Football Union, the NZRU Appointments Committee and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Wakem has a distinguished career in broadcasting, which culminated in her appointment as chief executive of Radio New Zealand in 1984, a position she held until 1991. She has also held management positions at Wrightson and was executive chairman of Hill & Knowlton New Zealand. Currently chair of the Insurance & Savings Ombudsman Commission, chair of the St James Theatre Charitable Trust and deputy chair of the Remuneration Authority, Wakem is a Rotarian, a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Management, an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors and was awarded a CBE in 1990 for services to broadcasting and the community.

Borren has worked within the telecommunications sector for much of his life. Formerly the chief executive of Alcatel New Zealand, where he turned around the company's performance, Borren has also undertaken management roles at Telecom, Mitel and has been the President of the Information Technology Association of New Zealand. Borren is an experienced manager within smaller start-up companies, and is currently director of SFX Ltd and chief executive of Next Generation Internet, who are developing a new business model for high speed data telecommunications services.

"All three new directors have an impressive work and performance history," Ware said. "We wanted new directors who could add value to our company's future direction. With their knowledge of corporate governance and the telecommunications industry, we believe we have been able to fulfil that objective."

TeamTalk director Donald MacLachlan has resigned from the board. David Ware and Geoffrey Davis remain as directors.

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