Kate Townsend
Auckland,Titirangi
Summary
Dynamic strategy and regulation expert with extensive experience in climate change/utilities, commerce, finance and related sectors. Proven track record in leading high profile and complex work on behalf of clients in New Zealand, and globally. Keen collaborator who strives to foster relationships and deliver impactful work. Accomplished in project management, policy and compliance across diverse areas. Confident communicator who drives organisational capability. Passion for assisting industry, government and citizens to meet future environmental and economic challenges.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Strategy and Regulatory Consultant
Independent
03.2015 - 03.2025
- Delivered robust strategies and advice to the client, and on behalf of the client, in diverse sectors, including energy, transport, primary industries, and aviation.
- Executed governance deliverables, including establishing expert advisory panels, the government's first inter-departmental executive board for resource management reforms, and regular liaison with Boards and Ministers.
- Led development of laws, regulation, policies and guidance in climate change, primary industries, digital and telecommunications, justice, housing and transport, whilst navigating complex legal, economic, environmental matters on behalf of clients.
- Oversaw monitoring and compliance work, including data analysis and insights, assurance process and risk management.
- Led strategic communications and managed relationships with key stakeholders, including local and international government agencies, regulators and industry associations at the staff and executive level.
- Built capability in organisations through training sessions in the areas of regulation, policy, governance, project management, as well as subject matter expertise in climate change and infrastructure.
Principal Advisor
Electricity Authority
02.2014 - 04.2015
- Led several economic regulation projects within the retail and network market area focused on consumers' retail data, pricing regulations, competition and efficiency on alternative electricity networks and industry guidance for vulnerable consumers
- Led strategic work on future focus areas to transform the downstream sector, which influenced business and project planning.
- Presented complex regulatory and policy work at monthly Expert Advisory Group and Board meetings. Key contact for the Chair and senior leaders from energy companies.
- Managed consultants to produce advice, including regulatory impact statements. Recruited staff and mentored junior staff to build organisational capability.
Senior Analyst
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
01.2013 - 02.2014
- Led a team that delivered a strategy project articulating New Zealand's energy future for Ministers.
- Managed policy for bio-energy uptake, including incentive mechanisms, financing schemes and wider stakeholder acceptance.
- Led Crown negotiations for land and minerals between iwi/Maori, government and New Zealand's largest exporter of iron-sands.
- Key contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to host a delegation from Brazil on New Zealand's bioenergy policy.
- Fostered professional development and enhanced overall team performance. Peer reviewed junior colleagues' work for Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting.
- Invited to peer review Waikato University professors' carbon capture and storage report and potential legal framework in New Zealand.
Advisory Lawyer
Department of Health
04.2012 - 09.2012
- Lead lawyer for public health advice who advised clients on a variety of issues, namely public health law, commercial law and contracts, human rights, freedom of information and data protection.
- Managed the drafting of regulations to implement the Health and Social Care Act 2012 under very tight timeframes. This involved policy development, managing an expert draftsman, liaison with the Head of Policy to produce set of five robust, workable regulations.
- Supported project management of the wider implementation of the legislation, including risk management.
Policy Development Manager
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)
06.2011 - 04.2012
- Led the Renewables Obligation scheme (worth 1.87 billion) in the New Schemes Development division for large scale renewable electricity generation whereby operators could trade Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs).
- Managed consultants and staff to deliver highly technical guidance for operators under tight timeframes. Advised on significant policy issues, European law and built extensive stakeholder engagement through an industry working group and facilitating forums across the United Kingdom and globally.
- Oversaw a project benchmarking sustainable international forestry schemes.
- Represented Ofgem at a European Commission workshop in the Hague and invited to an International Energy Agency (IEA) workshop in Canada on sustainability criteria for bioenergy.
- Influenced environmental legislation led by UK's central government (DECC, DEFRA).
Education
Law Masters - Law
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia01-2026
Conjoint Bachelor of Arts/Law Degree - Law And Art
University of Otago
Dunedin, NZ01-2004
Skills
- Experienced in environmental and finance policy, strategy and regulation
- Expert in climate change, primary industries, commerce, energy and transport
- Extensive leadership of people and projects
- Confident communicator with strong engagement skills
- Skilled in local and global legal/economic advice
- Accomplished in research and data analysis
- Proficient in Project Management
- Creative problem solver
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Professional Working
Timeline
Global Strategy and Regulatory Consultant
Independent
03.2015 - 03.2025
Principal Advisor
Electricity Authority
02.2014 - 04.2015
Senior Analyst
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
01.2013 - 02.2014
Advisory Lawyer
Department of Health
04.2012 - 09.2012
Policy Development Manager
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)
06.2011 - 04.2012
Law Masters - Law
University of Melbourne
Conjoint Bachelor of Arts/Law Degree - Law And Art
University of Otago
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