Meet our Board of Directors and Leadership Team. A highly experienced team that leads the growth and development of Central Plains Water Limited (CPWL).
Our board.
Membership of the CPWL Board includes Shareholders and Independent Directors. The Directors are recognised for their expertise and experience in the agri-sector, construction, governance, finance, and utility operations, both nationally and internationally.
Grant Miller
Chair and Independent Director
Grant Miller
Chair and Independent Director
Grant (Chair and Independent Director) is a professional director with a strong background in governance and strategic oversight. Having previously served on the Selwyn District Council Audit Risk Committee (Chair), also holding a directorship at Transwaste Canterbury Limited, and a Councillor for Selwyn District Council, Grant brings a high level of thought leadership to the CPWL Board.
With a background in Dairy, Beef and arable farming allied with commercial banking, domestically and internationally, Grant is a Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and an alumnus of the Fonterra Governance Programme.
Willie Palmer
Independent Director
Willie Palmer
Independent Director
Elected to the CPWL Board in 2005, as an Independent Director, Willie was an original member of the Central Plains Water Enhancement Steering Committee (2000) and the Central Plains Water Trust (2003).
Willie has played a material role in the development of water resources in Central Canterbury, shaping and influencing regional water development, and water use all while fostering positive community engagement.
Born in Sheffield, and one of the instigators of Scheme irrigation development there, Willie is a commercial litigation lawyer and partner at the national law firm Buddle Findlay.
Tony Coltman
Shareholder Director
Tony Coltman
Shareholder Director
Elected to the CPWL board as a Shareholder Director in 2021, Tony has more than two decades of rural leadership and advisory both domestically and internationally, Tony began his governance experience on the Rural/ATS (Board) and Health and Safety committee (Chair).
A passionate advocate for excellence in the dairy sector, Tony completed the Fonterra Governance Development Programme in 2016. He is a member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
An active leader in the highly successful Forages for Reduced Nitrogen Leaching Programme, Tony recently won the Regional Supreme in the Ballance Farm Environmental Awards, Tony is determined to protect farmers’ licence to farm by showcasing the great things they do.
Tim Cookson
Shareholder Director
Tim Cookson
Shareholder Director
Elected to the CPWL Board in 2023 as a Shareholder Director Tim currently has governance roles in Cropmark Seeds (Chair and Shareholder), North Canterbury Rural Support Trust, and is on the Board of Trustees at Christchurch Boys High School, and Adams House Committee (Chair). Tim sees these roles as an important way to connect with the community.
Tim has completed many different governance training courses such as the Kellog Rural Leadership programme, To the Core Leadership and Governance programme, and the IOD Governance Essentials course.
Bruce Gemmell
Independent Director
Bruce Gemmell
Independent Director
Elected to the CPWL Board as an independent director in 2020, Bruce is a professional director who brings an extensive corporate governance and leadership background to the CPWL Board.
A member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, Bruce’s governance roles includes the Highlanders Rugby franchise, Lincoln Agritech Limited, Chancellor (Chair) Lincoln University, trustee of Lincoln Memorial Trust, and director of Buller Electricity, Planz Consultants, Nexia and Selwyn District Council.
Bruce has held senior leadership roles with EY and KPMG in Wellington and Christchurch.
Jenny Geddes
Shareholder Director
Jenny Geddes
Shareholder Director
Jenny was elected to the CPWL Board in 2023 as a Shareholder Director after spending 12 months as a Developing Director for CPWL building her governance skills and board experience. As a member of the NZ Institute of Directors, Jenny has completed courses in governance, strategy, and finance.
Jenny is involved in the management of the family dairy farm. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Resource Studies. Having worked as a Senior Consents Investigating Officer and Environmental Consultant, Jenny brings invaluable environmental and resource-consenting knowledge to the Board.
Stuart Wright
Shareholder Director
Stuart Wright
Shareholder Director
Elected to the CPWL Board as a Shareholder Director in 2019, Stu began his governance experience on the Foundation for Arable Research (Board and Chair), Nuffield International (Chair), Ravensdown (Board), Potatoes New Zealand (Board and Chair) North Canterbury Rural Support Trust (Chair).
Coming from an intergenerational arable farming family with a long history of living and farming on the Canterbury Plains, access to reliable water cements the family's commitment to farming and the wider community for the long term.
Being awarded a Nuffield Scholarship opened Stu’s eyes to the pressures farmers face globally, and locally, and has provided him with the perspective to help lead, shape, and influence the future of rural New Zealand.
Gareth Frew
Aspiring Director
Gareth Frew
Aspiring Director
Joining the CPWL board as an Aspiring Director in 2025, Gareth brings governance experience from the Rāwhiti School Board of Trustees and membership of the Institute of Directors. His professional background spans both public and private sectors, with senior roles in health system leadership and more recent involvement in rural property management and development.
Gareth has chaired national advisory groups, and led projects across highly regulated sectors. Recognised for evidence-informed decision-making and strong stakeholder engagement, he brings valuable insight from emergency response, health governance, and rural property management.
Curious and forward-thinking, Gareth values diverse perspectives and applies critical thinking to complex issues. He is committed to equity, collaboration, and building trust-based relationships, with a focus on delivering meaningful outcomes.
Our leadership team.
A diverse, talented workforce with the best knowledge and insights ensures we have the skills to drive us forward. Our people philosophy centres around working together, adhering to the highest standards, and joining together a collection of thinkers and doers.
