The corporate advisory specialist previously served as chair at the leading firm
Russell McVeagh consultant Pat Bowler has joined the board of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
ACC Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced Bowler as one of three new board members on Tuesday. The appointment takes effect today.
Wellington-based Bowler has advised the Crown, Crown agencies and state-owned enterprises on complex public and private sector transactions and litigation. In addition to working with the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, New Zealand Railways Corporation, Earthquake Commission (EQC) and ACC, he has provided legal guidance to the boards of Māori entities, including trusts, as well as to private companies and statutory corporations.
He has guided clients through matters involving the marriage of commercial objectives with governance objectives. He has operated across a number of industries, such as electricity, dairy, rail, oil and gas, and shipping.
Bowler brings to the table significant experience as an in-house lawyer. He previously served as Mobil Oil NZ Ltd.’s GC, and also acted as interim GC for the EQC in 2019. He made partner at Russell McVeagh in 1984, and recorded a stint as the firm’s chair.
In 2013, he moved on to a consultancy role in the firm’s corporate advisory practice.
Bowler joins the ACC board alongside Hamilton-based accountant Bella Takiari-Brame and Australian board director Dr Helen Nott.
“All three bring diverse skills and experience to provide strong governance oversight to lead the direction of ACC,” Sepuloni said.
Bowler, Takiari-Brame and Nott will replace outgoing board members David May and Kristy McDonald QC. Meanwhile, James Miller has been confirmed as deputy chair of the ACC.
