Ben joined Clarus as General Manager, Customer and Regulatory in July 2016. Ben drives sustainable growth at Clarus by leading the strategy and engagement on commercial opportunities and public policy issues.
Ben leads the Clarus strategy, marketing and regulatory teams, and is responsible for the commercial operations of Clarus’ pipeline businesses. Ben is focused on ensuring that we engage proactively and constructively with our customers and regulators, positioning Clarus as a respected player in New Zealand’s energy landscape. Most recently his focus and energy has been on exploring how gas infrastructure can help Aotearoa’s transition to a lower carbon economy, with research into biogas, hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) solutions underway.
Ben has a deep understanding of infrastructure economics and regulation, having previously worked as a consultant on network access, pricing and service quality. He also understands the commercial and regulatory environment in the New Zealand gas industry and works with industry participants to align the rules for pipeline access and use. Ben was closely involved in the acquisition and integration of the Rockgas LPG business and Ahuroa gas storage facility in 2018.
Ben is qualified in law and economics, and received his Masters of public policy from Georgetown University in Washington DC, where he studied on a Fulbright scholarship. He was named New Zealand’s Young Energy Professional of the Year at the 2019 Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards and sits on the Boards of the LPGA and GANZ.
Ben lives in Wellington with his wife and three children.