OUR TEAM
Our People
Our people make all the difference, providing the energy and expertise that enables MLL to thrive. With strong connections to Marlborough and its people – our people are always geared up and ready to respond, no matter what.
We employ around 170 people in a diverse range of roles including: electrical engineering, network design and construction, arboriculture, accounting, administration, information technology and project management.
We work hard to be a respected employer, so we’re able to find and keep high quality staff both locally and from all over New Zealand.
We’re serious about staff wellbeing, providing support to learn and grow through trade and tertiary qualifications, and ensuring work environments expands our staff skills and abilities.
To see who is part of our Board of Directors and Senior Management Team please see the following sections.
Board
MLL is managed by an experienced and qualified board of directors. Directors are appointed by the trustees on a rotating basis and have responsibility for setting the strategic direction of the company and oversight of management.
Phil Robinson
Chairman
NZCQS, MInstD
Phil was appointed as Chair in March 2021, following his tenure as a Director on the Marlborough Lines Board since September 2015.
He also serves as a director of Robinson Construction Limited and has been involved in various business interests, including several construction and development companies.
Additionally, Phil holds directorships in various other companies.
Donna Bridgman
Director
BE, FEngNZ, CMEngNZ, Int(PE)NZ, PMP, MBCI, MInstD, MSID
Donna joined the Board in February 2023. With a career spanning engineering services, digital infrastructure, executive management and governance, Donna brings extensive experience in the electrical, high-technology, construction, ESG and business continuity sectors. This expertise has been developed through roles held across New Zealand, the Pacific region, APAC, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Donna holds a Bachelor degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. She is an Engineering New Zealand Fellow, a practicing Chartered Engineer, an International Professional Engineer (IntPE), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a certified Business Continuity Practitioner (MBCI), a global tech trainer and conference presenter in digital technology and business continuity, and a Member of the Institute of Directors (NZ and Singapore).
She is the APAC Regional Chair for Infrastructure Masons ‘iM Women’ and serves on its Global Board. Donna has held Non-Executive Directorships and Advisory Board roles in construction, for an NSO, for media, and Engineering NZ, including serving on the Investigations Committee and the Engineering Practice Advisory Group.
Rob Jamieson
Director
ME, MBA, CMInstD
Rob has been a member of the Board since February 2023 and has worked in the New Zealand Electricity industry for over 35 years, including as chief executive of Orion NZ Limited, chair of Connetics Limited and chair of Electricity Invercargill Limited.
He has also been a long-term member of the board of the Electricity Network's Association. Rob has master's degrees in electrical engineering and business administration. He is also a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a director of Electricity Ashburton.
Matt Kerr
Director
BBS, CA, MInstD
Matt was elected to the Board in November 2024 and will be known to many people in Marlborough both as a skilled professional director and formerly of WK Advisors & Accountants. Matt has strong ties to the community with his long-standing support of Marlborough Stadium Trust which he currently chairs as well as serving on the Marlborough Hospice Foundation Trust.
Matt is currently chair of Marlborough Airport and Marlborough District Council Holdings, a grower director for the Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative and previously served on the Port Marlborough Board. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors (NZ).
Rachael Newsome
Director
LLB, BCA
Rachael Newsome was appointed to the Board in November 2025. She has a background in governance, commercial and corporate law, risk and compliance, regulation, change and strategic advisory.
Her career has included roles as Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel for both FNZ and Jarden, General Counsel and Strategist for Icebreaker, and Head of Direct Products and Corporate Counsel for NZX Limited. She has previously held various international legal roles, including for Barclays Capital and Study Group International.
Rachael is currently a director of Oyster Property Group Limited and Eightwire Limited and is also a member of the New Zealand Markets Disciplinary Tribunal. Her governance career has included roles on The University of Auckland Council, and as a Future Director for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
Rachael holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from Victoria University of Wellington and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Rachael and her family operate a small vineyard contract growing grapes for a local winery in the Tasman region.
Matt Todd
Director
NZCE, PG Dip Bus, MBA, CMInstD, JP
Matt has been a member of the Board since November 2024 and is a director of Yealands Wine Group. He was Chief Executive of Eastland Group Limited for over 20 years which he successfully grew from small beginnings into a diversified energy and infrastructure business worth over $1 billion.
Alongside this he has extensive governance experience across a number of sectors. Matt holds qualifications in electrical engineering, engineering management and a master’s in business administration.
He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School advanced management program and a director of Connectics Limited, Ngawha Generation Limited, and Top Energy Limited. Matt is also a justice of the peace and a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
Senior Leadership Team
Meet the decision-makers and people responsible for our operations.
Tim Cosgrove
Chief Executive Officer
ME(Mgt), BE(hons) (mech), BCom, CEng, CMInstD
Tim joined MLL as Chief Executive in April 2020. He is responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and delivery of all stakeholder, financial and operational objectives. Tim has held roles within the Todd Corporation as General Manager Todd Generation and headed Operations and Development for Nova Energy. Prior to his time with Todd Corporation, Tim was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Ray Brown
General Manager Engineering & Development
BE (hons) CPEng, IntPE(NZ), FEngNZ, CMEngNZ
Ray joined MLL in November 2021. Ray’s team is responsible for planning MLL’s network, preparation of the Asset Management Plan, developing capital projects that support the company’s aspirations, and providing engineering services. Ray has 35 years of engineering and development experience in electricity generation, transmission and distribution businesses largely in New Zealand.
Rebeca Clifton
HSEQ Manager
GradDipBusStuds, NZDipWHSM, ProfNZISM
Rebeca leads the strategic direction for workplace health, safety, wellbeing, and the integrated management system covering health, safety, environment, and quality. With a strong foundation in both operational and strategic HSEQ management, she is passionate about embedding “Safety Differently” principles to enable smarter, more resilient ways of working. Rebeca is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, empowering teams, and driving initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes for people and the business.
Gareth Jones
Chief Financial Officer
BCom, CA
Gareth is responsible for accounting, finance, enterprise risk and treasury operations, including financial reporting. Gareth is a Chartered Accountant, with previous experience working at KPMG in both audit and corporate finance. Gareth has significant experience in the electricity distribution sector, having held several senior finance roles at Powerco Limited for the five years prior to joining MLL as CFO in 2016.
Warner Nichol
General Manager Network Operations
DipEng (Electrical)
Warner is responsible for the day-to-day operations of MLL’s network. Warner has substantial supply industry experience with over ten years at WEL Networks and most recently managing projects for various power companies through his own consultancy business.
Dan Quinn
General Manager Field Services
MInstD
Dan is responsible for the day-to-day running of the operational part of the business including procurement, project delivery and the installation and maintenance teams. Dan has 20 years of experience working in the electrical industry. His experience has predominantly been in High Voltage both in the UK and in New Zealand. Working in Wellington for 10 years with most of that time being spent working with or for Transpower and managing a large commercial electrical company. Dan has a broad range of experience as a people leader, and in the electrical industry.
Rebecca Wheeler
HR Manager
BBus (HR & IR)
Rebecca joined MLL in October 2020 and is responsible for the full HR portfolio. Developing and delivering the people plan to support the achievement of our strategic objectives. Rebecca has over 20 years’ experience as an HR business partner, supporting medium and large teams in the FMCG industry in Australia and New Zealand.
Scott Wilkinson
Commercial Manager
BSc Hons, MESt, MBA
Scott is responsible for Commercial and Regulatory work, including network pricing, customer services and network connections. Prior to joining MLL, Scott worked at engineering consultancies and for the World Bank.
Liam O’Rourke
General Manager Digital Transformation Services
BSc, GradDipCompSci, MBA, MIEEE
Liam joined MLL in May 2022. Liam’s team is responsible for MLL’s information technology, network management systems, and the activities to digitally-enable and transform the MLL organisation, its products, and services. Liam has over 30 years’ IT experience, including more than 20 years in the UK, USA and Europe managing international IT teams in financial services and pharmaceutical industries.