The Utilities Disputes |Tautohetohe Whaipainga (UDL) Board has appointed Neil Mallon as its new Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Mallon (pictured), who is currently the organisation’s Deputy Commissioner, will take up the role on 11 December when the current commissioner, Mary Ollivier departs.
“Neil is an excellent appointment to this role with his wide-ranging experience, knowledge of the sector and ability to lead by example. The Board is pleased that this will enable a seamless transition and ongoing stability for the vital work that UDL does,” said UDL Board Chair, Heather Roy.
Mr Mallon is a lawyer with extensive experience working with consumer complaints, regulating professionals, including banking industry complaints and fraud investigations.
He has managed prosecutions and appeals relating to the conduct of barristers in the UK and led the complaints and prosecutions team at the Teaching Council of Aotearoa before spending eight years with the New Zealand Law Society, including time as its General Manager of all regulatory functions. He has extensive experience in managing a legislative based complaints process and has drafted rules of conduct and client care for lawyers.
Mr Mallon said he is honoured to have the opportunity to lead UDL.
“In our current environment there are more and more people who need to know about the services we offer,” he said.
“I am excited about our future at UDL and what we can achieve for all our stakeholders. Our strategy is simple – we are here to help, and we are doing that across Aotearoa in innovative ways.”
Established in 2002, UDL provides a free, fair and independent dispute resolution service for electricity, gas, and water complaints as well as disputes about access to shared property for broadband installations. UDL also operates a voluntary and independent Telecommunications Complaint Scheme where it can consider complaints against companies that choose to be members of the scheme.
A recruitment process for the role of Deputy Commissioner will begin soon.