Spark New Zealand Limited appointed Pip Greenwood as an independent non-executive director to the Board, to replace Mark Verbiest who retired in November 2017. Ms. Greenwood's appointment will take effect from 1 April 2018. Ms. Greenwood is a senior partner at law firm Russell McVeagh, who has over ten years' experience on the Russell McVeagh board, including a period as the firm's Chair. Ms. Greenwood has significant experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, telecommunications, and governance. In accordance with the company's constitution, Ms Greenwood will retire and offer herself for election at the annual meeting of shareholders held later in 2018. Once Ms. Greenwood's appointment becomes effective, the company Board will once again consist of eight directors: Justine Smyth, Alison Barrass, Paul Berriman, Alison Gerry, Ido Leffler, Charles Sitch, Pip Greenwood and Simon Moutter.