Advisory Group

Simon MacKenzie
Group Chief Executive - Vector
Bio
Simon has been with Vector for 16 years and was appointed its Group CEO in 2008. He has extensive experience in the infrastructure sector, including strategy, regulation, network management, information technology and telecommunications. In addition to international experience in the construction and consultancy sectors, Simon has tertiary qualifications in engineering, finance and business studies, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. As an infrastructure business, Simon leads Vectors transformation into the new energy sector to create the new energy future. Solar PV, storage and energy services form a part of that strategy.

Chris Talbot
Managing Director – YHI New Zealand
Bio
On completing his Bachelor of Commerce from University of Auckland, Chris held a variety of accounting, branch and sales management positions in the industrial, agricultural and CNG/LPG vehicle conversion sectors. Moving to Cheviot Pacific Ltd, who manufactured and distributed a range of automotive products, Chris was appointed Sales and Marketing Manager. In 1996 Chris established YHI (New Zealand) Ltd who today distribute a wide range of power and automotive products including an extensive portfolio of solar PV and storage and battery brands. YHI maintain six branches across New Zealand and are a major supplier to the industry throughout the country.

Phil Harrison
Managing Director - Harrisons Solar
Bio
Phil has been involved in the retail sector for over 25 years, developing
and building successful businesses within a number of industries that can scale. He has a strong entrepreneurial spirit which brings new vigour and alternative perspectives to some of the obstacles and challenges that we face with the solar and battery industry.
His involvement and interest in solar started back in 2012 and over that
time has built a successful nationwide network of business owners,
specialising in residential and SME solutions.

Scott Russell
Principal Russell Legal – Commercial and Litigation
Bio
Scott advises and represents SEANZ in all legal matters. Scott has worked at the highest level in private practice, in-house roles and in the government sector.
He started his career in private practice with Bell Gully, before moving to London and Hong Kong with Ashurst. He then moved in-house as Head of Litigation at Virgin Media UK.
On his return to New Zealand Scott worked as Senior Legal Counsel at the Commerce Commission before founding Russell Legal. Scott also has a strong academic background in both business and law having completed an LLB (Hons), a BCom (Economics) where he received the Auckland University Senior Prize and has recently completed his MBA at University of Auckland.
Scott has provided SEANZ with successful and positive outcomes, given his unique ability to solve complex legal problems gained from his practical experience working on all sides of the table.

Terry Paddy
Managing Director - Cortexo
Bio
Terry spent the first 20 years of his career in the aviation sector after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics at Canterbury University. In 2001 he started a software development company with a colleague that became Cortexo, specialising in remote monitoring and control in the electricity industry and in particular, the connection and control of distributed energy resources. In 2017 Terry was appointed to the Electricity Authorities Innovation and Participation Advisory Group (IPAG) which provides advice to the Authority board on the new innovation and business models in the electricity sector. His specific areas of interest are data privacy and security and in the wider use of distributed energy flexibility to drive our zero-carbon, 100% renewable future. In 2014 he was made a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Management and is a member of the Institute of Directors.