Our Board

Alongside his governance expertise, Karl Smith brings to the role many years’ experience in finance as a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand. His current directorships include EA Networks Ltd, A.G. Foley Ltd and Contego Systems Ltd. Karl has previously been the Chief Executive Officer of Gough Group.

Lee Babe is currently an independent director for Network Tasman Ltd, and a former Chief Executive of Nelmac). Lee’s other current governance positions include Parallaxx Ltd and AgFirst Consultants Nelson Ltd. He is also a founding and continuing member of the NZ Business Leaders’ Health & Safety Forum.

Diane Brandish is a Chartered Accountant with extensive senior financial management experience in local government. Diane’s expertise spans treasury management, insurance, audit and risk, and financial governance. She currently serves on the Audit and Risk Committee of Kaikōura District Council and as a director of Innovative Waste Kaikōura.

Ross Pickworth has a background in engineering (a past Chartered Member of Engineering New Zealand) and is currently a director of seven commercial businesses, including Network Tasman and two council-controlled organisations, including Westroads Ltd and Ashburton Contracting Ltd. Ross was previously General Manager for Steel & Tube Holdings Ltd.

Murray Strong is a professional director and current Chair of Selwyn Water, bringing more than two decades of governance experience across private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Having chaired 19 of the 24 boards he has served on, Murray brings particular expertise in digital transformation, large capital infrastructure projects and establishing new governance functions.