Nigel Barbour appointed Orion Group chief executive

Nigel Barbour is Orion Group’s new chief executive and will move to Christchurch to take up the role on July 1 with EVs becoming an increasing consideration for the electricity industry.

He is currently New Plymouth-based electricity and gas company Powerco chief executive.

Barbour will lead the Orion Group which comprises the central Canterbury electricity distribution business, Orion, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Connetics, which provides design, construction and maintenance services to the electricity distribution industry in New Zealand.

With Orion Group, Barbour will be responsible for a $1.2 billion combined asset base and more than 600 staff.

He has been with Powerco for 19 years in a range of executive management positions – more than nine years as chief executive.

Barbour has an economics and legal background and previously held roles with Transpower and the Bank of New Zealand.

Announcing Barbour’s appointment, Orion Group chair Jane Taylor says Orion’s board is delighted to have secured the services of such an extremely well connected, experienced and capable executive.

“Nigel has an impressive track record of delivering results in the electricity sector and we look forward to him bringing Orion’s strategic vision to life to serve the future needs of our communities,” she says.

“This is a challenging and exciting time of change in the electricity sector. With Nigel’s leadership, the Orion Group will take a leading role in supporting the Canterbury region and customers nationally to transition to a low carbon future.”

Former Connetics chief executive and group transformation lead Jono Brent has been the interim Orion Group chief executive since Rob Jamieson left in September 2020.

Brent will continue in his Orion role until Barbour takes up his new position mid-year.

The Orion Group is 89% owned by CCHL, the investment arm of the Christchurch City Council, and 11% owned by Selwyn District Council.