Our management team

As an electrical engineer with over 25 years’ experience in the utility sector, Russell has significant experience in strategy, management, risk and operations with extensive knowledge of asset management, performance improvement and engineering. Prior to joining Top Energy in 2008, Russell was General Manager for Operations at WEL Networks where he led WEL’s Asset Management, Procurement and Field Services groups of over 150 staff. Prior to this Russell was a partner with UMS Group, a global utility management consulting group. Russell is a Chartered Electrical Engineer, has an honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, an MSc in Engineering Business Management and is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and Engineering NZ. He is also a member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

David leads the Contracting group, managing the internal Field Services group of over 60 staff who complete maintenance and capital works on the network as well as providing specialist external services. With 44 years’ experience in the distribution sector, which started in 1975 with the Auckland Electric Power Board, David has extensive Distribution and Contracting management experience with a high focus on safety and project delivery. Before joining Top Energy in 2017, David was the Technical Manager for Downer in Tauranga coordinating the technical aspects of their electrical business throughout New Zealand. Prior to this David was the Eastern Manager for Tenix in the Bay of Plenty. David holds an NZCE in Electrical Engineering and is also a registered Distribution Line Mechanic.

Claire is an Electrical Engineer with over 15 years of experience in Asset Management, including 6 years in the Distribution sector. She has extensive experience in asset strategy, contract management, and lifecycle management, with a high focus on continual improvement and programme delivery. Prior to joining Top Energy, Claire worked for Counties Energy as the Asset Engineering Manager and subsequently as Head of Network Systems. She was responsible for asset lifecycle and maintenance strategies, renewal and replacement projects, capital design, standards, and compliance engineering, and implementing continual improvement initiatives to the asset management system. Claire started her career as an Electrician in the pharmaceutical industry, where she progressed and gained her honours degree in Electrical Engineering with Systems for Environmental Services. In 2021, she also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Business at Massey University. Claire holds professional membership with the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET).