Chorus Executive Team

Meet the Chorus Executive Team

Mark Ratcliffe, CEO

Mark will tell you that he doesn’t see himself as a specialist in any one area. It's this 360-degree view, particularly in the face of complex issues, combined with Mark's pragmatic leadership that will see us in good stead as we establish operations in the new telecommunications landscape.

Born in England, Mark moved to New Zealand 20 years ago and is proud Dad of teenagers Tessa and Patrick. On his thoughts on Chorus, Mark said: "I love our brand, I am proud of the calibre of our people and am confident that together we will exceed all expectations."

Mark has been in the telecommunications industry for 19 years and was previously Chief Operating Officer, Technology & Enterprises where he was responsible for all of Telecom's network and IT operations and the wholesale business. Before this, he was Telecom's Chief Information Officer.

Prior to coming to Telecom, he worked in senior accounting, IT, project management and consulting roles in England and New Zealand. Mark has a BA (accountancy and commerce) from Huddersfield University, England. In 2006, Mark completed the London Marathon.

Ed Beattie, General Manager, Property and Network Operations

Ed Beattie has more than 30 years experience in building and maintaining fixed line and mobile telecommunications networks in New Zealand.  He has a proven reputation for delivering large-scale network programmes and managing a national field operations team to deliver world-class customer service.

“I am excited about being a part of building a new organisation and the opportunity for us to stand on our own feet. We will be industry leaders in providing fixed access services for a whole new suite of products that our customers can supply to New Zealand homes and businesses. In achieving this we will be able to deliver benefits to our stakeholders - the shareholders, customers, and service partners.”

With his experience and knowledge of the Telecom network Ed will focus on improving the performance and operations of Chorus’ fibre and copper network, maintaining its portfolio of local exchanges, cabinets and telecommunications infrastructure and delivering outstanding customer service in the field.

“Delivering fibre to the node was our training ground. We learnt a lot in terms of working out smart ways of doing things and motivating people. UFB allows us to do this on a much larger scale. It really takes New Zealand into the next generation of access services – it allows us to become world leaders in delivering infrastructure and access services,” says Ed.

Born in Dunedin and based in Christchurch, Ed has been part of most major network programmes in Telecom since he joined in 1979 as a telephone Lineman.

He has been part of significant deployment and network upgrade projects over the years and most recently he managed the delivery of the successful Fibre to the Node programme and continues to play lead role in Telecom’s Christchurch crisis response and restoration activities. Ed remains a committed and passionate South Islander. He is also a motorsport fanatic and follows V8 supercars.

Sara Broadhurst - General Manager, Human Resources

  • Sara Broadhurst is responsible for developing and sustaining Chorus’ organisational management; ensuring that the company has the capabilities, skills and resources to deliver on its business strategy; and, the expectations of stakeholders.  She is dedicated to ensuring that Chorus builds the culture and people engagement necessary to create a high performing organisation.

    “We need to recruit and retain the right people. We need to create an environment that they enjoy working within and empower them to be successful. I believe that if we get the right people, everything else just happens. My ultimate goal is that our people say that Chorus is the best place they have ever worked,” says Sara.

    With more than 10 years experience in human resources in New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a wide range of industries including housing, manufacturing, banking and not for profit organisations, Sara has a strong track record of managing organisational change, organisational design, employee relations, recruitment and remuneration.

    Sara has a very personal view of UFB. “I have good broadband speed at home. My iPod comes to the gym with me every day. I am in love with my Kindle – I never have to worry about not having a book to read. Facebook is a nightly ritual and twitter makes me laugh. I am not a ‘techie’ but it is incredible to me that five years ago words like iPod, iPad, twitter and Kindle weren’t even in my vocabulary. I then start thinking about what people will be able to do with better internet access, faster download and upload speeds delivered over the new UFB network. It’s a very exciting future.”

    Sara was born in New Plymouth and now based in Wellington, and joined Chorus in 2008. She previously held HR roles in NZ for ANZ National Bank, EFTPOS and Barnardos, HR roles in the UK and prior to that worked in operational and account management, communications and marketing for housing organisations. She is a gym junkie but balances this with weekends of food, wine and good friends.

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Victoria Crone, GM Sales and Marketing

Victoria Crone joins New Chorus after more than 15 years experience in bringing telecommunications products and services to market, and positively influencing the way the New Zealanders experience communications and the internet.  

Victoria's knowledge of the retail market will offer a fresh perspective to New Chorus as the company develops products and services that will encourage the transition to a fibre world.  She will be responsible for working with New Chorus customers to ensure that the company develops the products that will meet the demands of end-customers, and continue to build positive perceptions of New Chorus with stakeholders and the general public.

Based in Auckland, Victoria has held several senior business, sales and marketing roles throughout her career.  This includes responsibility for the sales strategy and operations for Telecom's retail business, managing offerings for the business market and developing Telecom's proposition for next generation products and services.

Andrew Carroll, Chief Financial Officer

Napier-born Andrew comes to Chorus from Telecom where he's worked since 2002, holding various roles in corporate finance including Manager Financial Strategy and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions. The latter role has included working on major deals like the Gen-i acquisition and sale of Yellow Pages. He's also worked closely with many in the Chorus team on the UFB negotiations with CFH and more recently through the demerger process.

Before joining Telecom, Andrew was a Director of Investment Banking at Credit Suisse First Boston NZ.

Andrew will be based in Wellington and will be responsible for ensuring Chorus' strong financial performance and creating a stable and sustainable business. This includes building relations with our shareholders, debt holders and the wider investment community.

Chris Dyhrberg - General Manager, Network Build

Chris Dyhrberg has played a key role in developing and implementing major changes in New Zealand’s telecommunications industry for the most of his career, pioneering open access to the Telecom network with milestones such as wholesaling bitstream services, the unbundling of the local copper network, the operational separation of Telecom and most recently, government negotiations for Ultra Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband Initiatives.

“The challenge for the new Chorus company will be to continue to deliver on the legacy that we have built over the last three years. Chorus has solidified a reputation as the trusted guardians of the network on behalf of the industry.  Through initiatives like the delivery of the UCLL product set on-boarding of the UCLL customers and the rollout of the fibre to the node programme, Chorus has also shown a strong commitment to delivery, on time and under budget.  As we grow to include our colleagues from Telecom Wholesale we want to continue to be the trusted provider of choice for broadband and access services.” says Chris.

At Chorus, Chris is responsible for Chorus’ network build operations including the architecture and design, investment, planning and deployment of the rural broadband and ultra-fast broadband networks.

“I am also not underestimating the complexities of delivering Ultra Fast Broadband and the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).  Delivering fibre to the home will be more disruptive to local communities, with increased civil work required.  We want to deliver a great service to New Zealanders and leave them feeling positive about Chorus,” Chris says.

“I think RBI has the potential to deliver huge benefits to rural New Zealanders.  I grew up in rural Southland and have a sense of the isolation from what’s happening in the cities that is experienced by some rural communities.  RBI will change that.  We have developed very positive relationships with regional stakeholders through the consultation phase and I can feel the expectations and anticipation building.”

Born in Dunedin and based in Wellington, Chris started out as a trainee telephone technician for the Post Office.  Since rejoining Telecom in 1999, he held a variety of marketing, industry relations and commercial management roles within Telecom.  During his break from Telecom, Chris gained degrees in Law and Finance at Otago and Victoria Universities and worked at Transpower, the Central Regional Health Authority and Capital Coast Health Ltd.

Chris is very involved with the local community on the Kapiti Coast and is an active supporter of his children’s sport.  He is a long term member and past Chairman of the Paraparaumu Junior Rugby Club, is the President of the Raumati Swimming Club and is the Deputy Chairman of the Kapiti College Board of Trustees.  This year Chris and his wife successfully walked the New York Marathon.

Irene Lovejoy, Exective Assistant

Irene Lovejoy is responsible for liaising with the office of the Chorus Board of Directors, managing the Chorus CEO office, overseeing all administration functions and managing the team of coordinators and assistants throughout the business.

“I am looking forward to the challenges of establishing the new company, building relationships with our new Board members, being part of the development of the new Executive team and ensuring the new company has the support services we need to succeed,” says Irene.

“Moving to be a stand-alone company is a brave new world, and I am very excited by the opportunity to participate,” Irene says.

Born in Scotland, Irene has been at Telecom for 22 years and held roles in the marketing, technology and corporate teams.  She has been working with Mark Ratcliffe, Chorus CEO, for more than 13 years and brings a unique insight that will be valuable in the development of the new Chorus Executive team. 

“The other exciting challenge is Chorus’ role in the Ultra Fast Broadband rollout. I think it is a bit like electricity. When they first built the electricity network people knew they needed it but weren’t quite sure what they were going to do with it. In a few years time I think New Zealanders will wonder how they worked and lived without high speed broadband,” says Irene.

Irene is based in Wellington, where Chorus’ corporate head office is located. Most weekends she can be found on the golf course at Martinborough where her and her husband have a holiday home.

Ewen Powell, Chief Information Officer

Ewen Powell has more than 18 years experience in managing the technology, services and partnerships that combined operate a national communications network and support a high performing organisation.

As part of Chorus’ demerger from Telecom, Ewen will be responsible for delivering the technology and systems Chorus needs to achieve its business objectives and operate as a standalone entity.  He will provide stewardship for Chorus’ network assets and the systems to manage and support these.  His unique understanding of ICT trends will help ensure Chorus makes the right technology choices and helps its customers make a seamless move to a fibre world.

“I think UFB is going to deliver some substantial and immediate benefits to schools and medical facilities. In terms of the mass market there is a ‘Field of Dreams’ aspect – build it and they will come. We need to work closely with service providers to ensure they deliver the mix of content that will inspire consumer to embrace the technology and the opportunities. Our co-innovation process and labs are an example of how we are going to develop and deliver,” says Ewen.

“My role in Chorus also has its challenges. Meeting the varying expectations of our stakeholders, including CFH and MED, while delivering continuity of service to our customers and ongoing business improvement. We will have increased volumes and complexities to deal with. I am looking forward to it!”

Ewen grew up in the Bay of Islands and since re-joining Telecom in 1999 has been at the forefront of the technology changes, from initial consultations with mobile network suppliers, building the CDMA network and most recently, driving the technology changes to deliver efficiencies and in customer transactions and achieve Chorus’ operational separation requirements. He has a young family but still manages to fit in running, swimming and golf.

Vanessa Oakley, General Counsel & Company Secretary

Vanessa brings significant knowledge to Chorus with 17 years experience in law and policy.  The majority of this time has been in relation to regulated infrastructure businesses and in the development of policies that result in legislative change and drive commercial operations.  Most recently, she was part of the core team that led UFB negotiations and the demerger of Chorus.

“After the substantial amount of time and effort spent in planning and negotiating with Government it is exciting to move into the delivery phase. I am looking forward to being involved in setting up the newly listed company and building a passionate team of people to deliver a great outcome to New Zealanders,” says Vanessa.

Vanessa’s role at Chorus includes managing interactions with the Board of Directors and overseeing the team responsible for legal and regulatory affairs including government relations, compliance, risk and audit.   Her focus will be providing legal advice and guidance that will ensure the company is best placed to deliver its business goals, regulatory commitments and meet customer and stakeholder expectations.

“Chorus will be a great Kiwi company, doing great things for all our stakeholders – shareholders, customers, and local communities. We will deliver on our commitments, with a strong focus on strategy, customer service, and engagement,” Vanessa says.

Vanessa is based in Wellington, grew up in Nelson and has held roles in New Zealand and the UK.  Her previous legal experience include roles in criminal prosecution, civil litigation, acting as a key adviser to Oftel in the UK on a new EU telecommunications framework and the New Zealand Commerce Commission and providing legal and regulatory advice across the Telecom group.  

Outside of work she is usually with her young son. She is passionate about learning outside work as well through her involvement in the Springboard Trust, working with principals, and the First Foundation, mentoring a student.

Nick Woodward, GM Customer Services

Nick Woodward brings to Chorus his knowledge of gaining customer confidence through outstanding service, which stems from his IT, sales and customer management experience in the financial and telecommunications industries throughout Europe and in the United States.

At Chorus, Nick will be responsible for driving operational excellence in the way the company interacts with customers, suppliers and partners.  This includes helping customers transition their business systems to the demerged Chorus entity and managing the team and processes that will ensure operational transactions deliver business efficiencies and a great customer experience.

“I have the exciting challenge of joining together four or five teams from various parts of Telecom to build an effective and passionate customer service team. I am very excited at the opportunity to deliver Ultra Fast Broadband to New Zealanders, but I am acutely aware of the significant investment our customers have made in our existing network and how vitally important it is that we continue to support them with the same high levels of customer service and enthusiasm that we have delivered to date,” says Nick.  

Nick came to live in Auckland from the UK where he worked for companies including Hutchison 3G UK and Household Bank. He managed Telecom’s Channel Planning and Operations group before joining Chorus in 2008 as Head of Customer Services where he has successfully introduced operational improvements to deliver better services to customers.

“UFB is a game changer for New Zealand. In years to come I am going to be very proud to say that I played my part in delivering it. Like my sons, there’s now a generation, many that can’t remember life without the internet; UFB is going to lift accessibility of information and communications to a whole new level,” Nick says.

Nick still manages to run around the soccer (or football as he prefers to call it) field in the weekend. He makes the most of the outdoors - skiing, playing golf and bushwalking.

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