Powerco has appointed Jason Franklin as Chief Executive following an executive search conducted by SEQEL Partners.

Powerco is one of New Zealand’s largest electricity and gas distribution businesses with networks comprising 28,441 kilometres of electricity lines and cables serving 344,000 homes and businesses, and 6,200 kilometres of gas pipelines serving 112,000 homes and businesses across the North Island.

Jason Franklin is currently Chief Executive Officer of PowerNet, the distribution networks delivering power to Invercargill, Southland, West Otago, parts of Central Otago and Stewart Island. Jason has led PowerNet since 2012. Before joining PowerNet, he had a 14-year career in the Rio Tinto group working in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. Jason began his career at the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. He is a board member of the Electricity Networks Association and has previously served on the Executive Committee of the Major Electricity Users Group and the Wholesale Advisory Group for the Electricity Authority. Jason is a director of SBS Bank Limited, Great South, and has previously been a director of Invercargill Airport and chair of Rugby Southland.

Jason in a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in Commerce Subjects, both from Lincoln University.

Jason will take up the position as Chief Executive of Powerco on 28 April 2025.