SPARK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- GM Capital Markets / Spark New Zealand Limited
Job Titles:
- SME and Consumer Director
Job Titles:
- HR Director
- People, Culture, and Ways of Working Director
Heather was appointed HR Director in September 2019. Heather joined Spark in 2013 and has over 20 years international experience as an HR professional, with a proven track record for business transformation, talent management, leadership development and succession planning across a range of industries including FMCG, retail, hospitality, technology, and telecommunications. At Spark, Heather has held various senior HR positions and delivered a number of critical initiatives, including being a key architect of Spark's Leadership and Development programme to build high-performing teams and leaders. Prior to joining Spark, Heather was a senior HR leader for almost a decade within Progressive Enterprises then spent two years in Australia leading HR, People Strategy & Change Management at Dan Murphy's. She has a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree (Hospitality Management) from Auckland University of Technology.
Job Titles:
- Strategy and Regulatory Director
John Wesley-Smith joined the Leadership Squad in August 2023 as Strategy and Regulatory Director, responsible for leading the development of Spark's commercial strategy and Spark's contributions to industry, regulatory, and public policy processes.
John joined Spark in 2005 and has led Spark's industry and regulatory affairs teams for the last 14 years. He has played a pivotal role in many of our major capital investments and transactions and represents Spark on the Boards of the Southern Cross Cable Network.
John started his career as a solicitor at Russell McVeagh, and has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University of Wellington.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Chief Executive
- Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Non - Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director
Leela joined Spark as Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director in January 2020, bringing with her close to 20 years' experience in corporate and agency roles in New Zealand and Australia. Prior to joining Spark Leela was Head of Communications at Fletcher Building, and before this External Relations Director at beverages group Lion in Australia. As Spark's Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director Leela is responsible for reputation management, internal communications, government, industry, and community engagement, sustainability strategy, and the charitable activities of the Spark Foundation. She also serves as a Trustee on the Spark Foundation Board. Leela holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Technology Sydney.
Job Titles:
- Customer Director for Enterprise and Government
Job Titles:
- Marketing Director
- Data and Marketing Director
Job Titles:
- Network and Operations Director
Stefan was appointed Finance Director in December 2019. Stefan has been with Spark since 2003 and has worked across a range of finance and business performance related roles. He played a key role over recent years in important Spark initiatives, including the Turnaround and Quantum business improvement programmes and, more recently, was part of the leadership group that helped shape the organisation's move to an Agile way of working.Stefan is a Chartered Accountant and began his career at Deloitte working across both Audit and Corporate Finance.