[Press Release] Drive Electric appoints new chair, Kirsten Corson

Press release

1st November 2023

The board of Drive Electric, a not-for-profit with a mission to accelerate the uptake of e-mobility in New Zealand, announced that Kirsten Corson has been appointed as chair of the board.

Kirsten’s appointment was made after outgoing chair Mark Gilbert announced his retirement from the board after 11 years. Kirsten’s appointment is effective from 31 December 2023. Eric Pellicer (pictured) has been appointed as deputy chair.

Kirsten has a long standing commitment to the electrification of mobility, co-founding Zilch, Carbn Asset Management and Sustainable Fleet Finance. She was chair of Carbn Group Holdings and currently Executive Director of Zilch and chair of Totara Hospice. Eric is General Manager Business Development at PowerCo.

Outgoing chair Mark Gilbert says, “I am delighted that the board has unanimously voted to appoint Kirsten as chair of the board of Drive Electric, and Eric as her deputy.

“Since joining the board, Kirsten has brought a real drive to our mission to accelerate e-mobility. I admire her passion for electrification and her ability to get things done. The board is in excellent hands with Kirsten’s experience, commercial nous, and dedication.

“Kirsten will be ably supported by Eric as deputy chair. He has been on the Drive Electric board since 2016. He has overseen our policy and strategy areas, and has demonstrated a real commitment to our mission. Eric’s strategic mind and energy sector experience have added real value to the board.

“Congratulations to them both and I wish them all the best. After 11 years at the helm, I am really pleased to see the organisation continue on under these two leaders.”

Incoming chair Kirsten Corson says, “It is a privilege to take on the role of chair from Mark Gilbert. Mark’s foresight and leadership has been truly valued by the membership and industry.

“When it comes to electrification, New Zealand has achieved so much in a short space of time as we’ve shown in our State of the Nation report, but now is the time to accelerate momentum. New Zealand stands to gain so much by electrifying mobility. This will drive down household energy bills; end our reliance on imported fossil fuels; and contribute massively to our efforts on climate change.

“As chair my first priority will be working with the incoming Government. We need to keep incentivising people to get into electric cars, because ultimately this will save us all money.  We also need a charging network that underpins our transition – in homes, workplaces and throughout our towns and cities. These are two immediate priorities.

“I look forward to working with our membership, stakeholders and partners in government to achieve a fully electric transport system in New Zealand. It’s not going to be easy, but in many respects we’ve done the hardest part – we’ve started. Now let’s go further, faster, and emissions-free.”

[ENDS]