Northland Christmas Connect

Networking

Speaker(s): James Miller, Rob Buchanan
Date: 4:00pm — 6:00pm, 5 December 2025
Venue: Northland Cricket Association
Location: 79 Okara Drive, Whangārei 0110
Price members: $0.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $0.00 incl GST

Please note: The date and venue for this event have been updated. Please refer to the details above for the most up-to-date information.

Overview

Join the Auckland Branch of the Institute of Directors IoD members, local governance and iwi leaders and business owners in Northland/Te Tai Tokerau to our end-of-year networking function and Christmas celebration.

With the reset in business operations and conversion to New Zealand’s largest fuels import terminal, learn how Channel Infrastructure developed a new three-year strategy to optimise its assets and balance sheet and how they’re preparing for the next phase of growth in Northland.

Channel Infrastructure’s Board Chair, James Miller, and CEO, Rob Buchanan will share their thinking with you, and discuss how they are preparing for the next phase of growth in Northland, including:

the intensive board-led process of option assessment and stakeholder engagement that was initiated in the wake of an exceptionally challenging operating environment in 2020,
the decision to convert into New Zealand’s largest fuels import terminal,
the results of this process in terms of improving shareholder return, and
leveraging Channel’s infrastructure and unique market position.

You will have an opportunity to ask questions and network with IoD members and our local committee, over drinks and canapés.

We thank Channel Infrastructure for their generous support of this Christmas Connect celebration.

James Miller

BCom, FCA, CFInstD

James Miller has 15 years’ experience in capital markets and has held Board and leadership positions at Craigs Investment Partners and ABN AMRO. He has also had extensive experience in the downstream energy sector. James is a director of Fletcher Building Limited, Fletcher Building Industries Limited, Mercury NZ Limited, Ryman Healthcare Limited and Vista Group International Limited. He was a Director of Auckland International Airport, Accident Compensation Corporation, an inaugural Director of the Financial Markets Authority, previously a Director of Vector, and a member of the INFINZ and Financial Reporting Standards Board.  James has also previously held the position of Chair of the Board of NZX. 

He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a Certified Securities Analyst Professional, Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, and a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Rob Buchanan

B.Com, M.Bus

Rob was previously GM Growth & Trading at Manawa Energy, where he had responsibility for the company’s renewables development, energy trading and commercial and industrial sales functions.

With a passion for helping energy and infrastructure companies create value while navigating challenging strategic issues and changing industry dynamics, Rob is excited about taking forward the company’s plans for growth, which will deliver further value to Channel Infrastructure’s shareholders.

Prior to Manawa Energy, Rob had an almost 20-year career in investment banking, advising companies in New Zealand, Australia and Europe most recently as Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at Forsyth Barr in New Zealand. Prior to this Rob worked in the investment banking business of ABN AMRO Bank, working across Australasia and Europe. Rob holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business (with Distinction) from the University of Otago, and has completed an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from the MIT Sloan School of Business.

Additional information

Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.

By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.

Branch event cancellation policy

Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.