Appointment of Non-Executive Director to Meridian Board

Meridian Energy is pleased to advise that it intends to appoint Graham Cockroft as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 26 July 2022.
Mr Cockroft brings a strong finance and energy industry background to the Board and will add to the Board’s skills and expertise following the retirement of longstanding Director, Jan Dawson, whose term concludes at the Company’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting later this year.

Mr Cockroft holds an MCom and a Masters in Finance and has over 30 years’ experience in the international energy industry, with executive roles in the UK, South America, New Zealand and Asia.

Meridian Chair, Mark Verbiest said Mr Cockroft was an outstanding appointment. “The Board conducted a robust recruitment using independent search advisers and is pleased to recommend Mr Cockroft to shareholders, together with Michelle Henderson, Julia Hoare and Nagaja Sanatkumar, who are standing for re-election this year.”

Mr Cockroft has experience across the energy chain and under different political, economic and regulatory regimes. As well as a strong financial background he has extensive experience in strategy and business development.

During his executive career Mr Cockroft has served as Group CFO at a leading Singapore-based energy and urban solutions provider with operations in Asia, Middle East and UK, CFO and COO at Contact Energy, and in various senior executive roles for close to two decades at BG Group (formerly British Gas), primarily in the UK and South America.

“We believe Mr Cockroft will add to the mix of skills and experience needed by the Board going forward and that together with remaining directors, the Board will continue the effective governance and focus on delivering shareholder value, recognising the Company’s importance and significance to the economy and indeed the importance of all our stakeholders,” said Mr Verbiest.

Graham will retire and seek formal shareholder approval for his election at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.
Meridian’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting will take place in October 2022. Further details will be contained in the Notice of Annual Meeting.

ENDS

Neal Barclay
Chief Executive
Meridian Energy Limited