Unison welcomes new Group Chief Executive Jaun Park to the helm
Jaun Park has been welcomed into his new role as Chief Executive of the Unison Group today.
Park has been with the Hawke’s Bay-based lines company for the last 16 years.
Originally from South Africa, Park joined Unison Networks in 2006 as Network Development Manager before moving into the role of General Manager of Networks and Operations in 2010, ahead of his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in June last year. He is a Director on the Boards of two of Unison Networks’ subsidiary businesses - transformer manufacturer ETEL and RPS Switchgear.
The appointment followed a rigorous recruitment process in the wake of long-standing Group Chief Executive Ken Sutherland’s announcement last year of his intention to retire in 2023.
Park’s promotion from Chief Operating Officer of Unison Networks to Chief Executive of the wider Unison Group of companies sees him at the helm of a number of companies specialising in delivering a range of electricity and fibre solutions.
Unison Networks, which is wholly-owned by the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust, delivers electricity to the Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupō regions and owns subsidiary businesses offering a range of energy related solutions through Unison Fibre, Unison Contracting Services Limited, ETEL Transformers, RPS Switchgear, and high voltage contracting specialists PBA.
Unison Networks Limited Chair, Philip Hocquard, says he and the Board are pleased to have Park step up into the role as Group Chief Executive of Unison.
“There’s no doubt Jaun has played an important role in enabling Unison’s sustained success and growth over the last decade. Jaun’s vision for the business, his depth of experience and knowledge of the electricity sector and his commitment to delivering outstanding services to Unison’s communities and customers is impressive."
Hocquard says they face some unprecedented challenges in the years ahead.
"In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle our immediate efforts have squarely focused on restoring power to our Hawke’s Bay customers and communities, and rebuilding Unison’s cyclone ravaged network. However, it’s vital that we continue to keep an eye on the future at the same time.
“Our climate is changing, our regions are changing, and our communities are changing. As Aotearoa’s energy future evolves, we know that electricity will do much of the heavy lifting to support the transition to a cleaner, greener electric future and we need to be ready for that.
“Having Jaun at the helm will ensure Unison continues to deliver excellence to its customers, whilst driving towards our vision to deliver a sustainable energy future that enables our communities to prosper.”
