Vector names Chris Blenkiron new group chief executive

Vector has appointed Chris Blenkiron as its new group chief executive officer, effective December 2025. Vector chair Doug McKay praised Blenkiron's leadership, focus on operational excellence, and strategic thinking, highlighting his astute insights into the energy sector and Vector's future growth opportunities. Blenkiron will relocate his family to Auckland for the role.

Prior to this appointment, Chris Blenkiron served as chief executive at Rio Tinto's Tiwai smelter in Invercargill, New Zealand's largest energy user, and previously worked for BlueScope in New Zealand and Indonesia. At Tiwai, he was credited with creating a high-performing culture, achieving an outstanding health and safety record, and demonstrating a proven ability to balance commercial results with operational excellence and positive customer, community, and staff outcomes.

Blenkiron expressed enthusiasm for joining Vector during the energy transition, recognizing the opportunities and challenges ahead, and looks forward to building on the company's success. The search process, which considered both local and international candidates through comprehensive assessments, was facilitated by Johnson Partners.