Spark announces Director changes as part of Board renewal

Monday 28th July 2025

Spark New Zealand (Spark) today announced a series of director changes as part of a Board renewal process.

Three new directors, Lindsay Wright, Vince Hawksworth, and Tarek Robbiati, have been appointed as independent, non-executive directors. Lindsay Wright will join the Board effective 1 August 2025, while Vince Hawksworth and Tarek Robbiati will join effective 1 October 2025.

In accordance with Spark’s constitution, Lindsay, Vince, and Tarek will retire and offer themselves for re-election at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in November 2025.

To facilitate the process of Board renewal, Gordon MacLeod will step down with effect from 1 September 2025. Sheridan Broadbent will retire at the end of her term with effect from 1 October 2025, owing to an upcoming conflict of interest.

Commenting on the Board changes, Chair Justine Smyth, said, “The Board has an ongoing succession programme, and commenced a director renewal process earlier this year with the retirement of a long-serving director.

"We are delighted to have Lindsay, Vince, and Tarek joining us. Between them they bring broad experience and expertise in governance, executive business management, and deep sector knowledge across the telecommunications, finance, capital management, infrastructure investment, and customer and retail sectors. Their skills will be a valuable addition that will help support our transformation agenda and focus on growing shareholder value.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Gordon and Sheridan for the significant contribution they have each made over the past three years and wish them both every success in the future.

“The Board’s process for Chair succession will continue, and will be considered in the context of the significant Board renewal announced today.”

Lindsay Wright, Non-Executive Director

Lindsay has more than 35 years of executive experience in the financial services sector, both within New Zealand and internationally. Her senior management roles at leading global asset management firms have equipped her with substantial expertise in commercial operations including business development and stakeholder management, strategy, investment management, finance, capital markets, and risk and capital management. Lindsay also brings extensive governance experience spanning 14 years, serving on boards of both listed and private companies. She currently holds directorships with NZX Ltd (serving as ARMC Chair), Milford Asset Management (as ARMC Chair), and ASX-listed Navigator Global Investments. Her previous board appointments include Kiwibank and the Guardians of the NZ Super Fund, where she was Deputy Board Chair and ARMC Chair. Lindsay will join the ARMC and assume the role of Chair upon Gordon MacLeod’s retirement.

Vince Hawksworth, Non-Executive Director

Vince has over 18 years’ Chief Executive experience in regulated utility and infrastructure businesses across New Zealand and Australia, having most recently served as Chief Executive of Mercury Energy, and prior to that of Trustpower New Zealand. He is highly skilled in infrastructure investment, management of large-scale customer bases, and people and culture leadership. Vince is currently a director on the Board of Powerco, a Board Trustee of the Starship Foundation, and an Advisor to Datagrid New Zealand. Vince will be a member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (HRCC).

Tarek Robbiati, Non-Executive Director

Tarek is a highly regarded global telecommunications, technology and financial services leader, best known for his strategic business transformation leadership roles within large-scale organisations. He has a strong commercial background, and deep strategic knowledge of the telecommunications industry having held executive roles at several global telcos, including as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Sprint Corporation, and Group Managing Director at Telstra International Group. Tarek is currently CFO at NYSE listed Pure Storage, and a director on the Board of Digicel (as ARMC Chair). His extensive listed company governance experience includes serving on the Boards of TelstraClear New Zealand, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Financial Services, CSL Limited Hong Kong, and Australia-Japan Cable Limited Bermuda. Tarek will be a member of the ARMC.

Spark announces Director changes as part of Board renewal

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