Our leadership team

Adrienne is Chief Executive of the Commerce Commission, joining in May 2018. Before joining the Commission, Adrienne held the positions of Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate, Governance and Information group, Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Market Services and General Manger, Resolution Services at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Adrienne has extensive experience across the public sector and prior to joining MBIE in 2012, held the roles of Acting Deputy Secretary, Tourism, Events and Consumer Affairs, Director of Legal in the former Ministry of Economic Development, Chief Legal Advisor in the former New Zealand Food Safety Authority, and Parliamentary Counsel and Private Secretary in the Attorney General’s office.

Adrienne has also worked for the Department of Corrections and Ministry of Education and has a BA LLB and an LLM (Hons).

PJ Devonshire (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitane o Wairarapa) is the Pou Ārahi and joined the Commission in August 2021. PJ has over 20 years’ experience in the iwi, education and public sector. Prior to this role, PJ was the Manager, Partnering Iwi Māori at MSD and before this, PJ was the General Manager of his iwi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, for 10 years. He represented his iwi on the National Iwi Chairs Forum, is an honorary member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, a board member on Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Iwi Authority and past trustee on the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tamakinui a Rua Post Treaty Settlement Trust.

Sarah is Director Credit. Sarah joined the Commission in March 2023 and has extensive legal, regulatory and banking experience. Prior to joining the Commission, Sarah had spent 15 years in the financial services industry at Bank of New Zealand in various senior roles, including GM Third Party Insurance, GM Conduct – Private Bank, Wealth and Insurances, and Head of Legal - Dispute Resolution. Sarah has also worked in private practice both in New Zealand and the UK. Sarah has a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts (History and Political Science) from the Victoria University of Wellington.

Andy joined the Commission in December 2019 after working for regulators in the United Kingdom. At the energy regulator, Ofgem, he had senior roles managing the energy transition, network regulation, and enforcement and competition policy, and was on the Bureau of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Network of Economic Regulators. Andy was also on the Board of the Agency for the Cooperation of European Energy Regulators and the General Assembly of the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER), and was vice chair of the CEER Distribution Systems working group. He previously had several roles at the Office of Rail Regulation.

Vanessa manages the Commission’s Competition, Fair Trading and Credit Branch. She is a highly experienced and capable leader in strategy, operations, policy development, service design, and law. Most recently Group Manager, Overseas Investment Office at Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), she has extensive ministerial and legislative experience. Her legal background spans radio spectrum auctions, Financial Service Provider legislation, rural broadband and energy safety. Vanessa also has a strong track record of growing and developing people and building strong, impactful teams through periods of change. Vanessa has a degree in Public Policy (Masters) from Massey University.

Raj joined the Commission in 2021 from the Department of Internal Affairs where he held a number of leadership positions, including General Manager Policy and General Manager Regulatory Services. He brings extensive leadership experience in policy and regulation, and a strong background in governance and stakeholder relations. Raj has also worked for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Corrections and the Accident Compensation Corporation and holds a BA (Social Policy and Education) and a Master of Public Policy from Victoria University of Wellington.

Anna joined the Commission in 2024. Prior to joining the Commission, Anna was the General Manager Operations at the Infrastructure Commission. Anna has worked in both infrastructure and regulation for over 20 years. Anna has extensive government experience, holding a number of senior leadership positions at Waka Kotahi (the New Zealand Transport Agency), including as General Manager Corporate Support (Acting) and Group General Counsel leading the Legal, Risk and Governance functions. As well her government experience, Anna has also led regulatory and policy functions in the private sector – first at Telecom and then Chorus. Anna brings significant leadership experience in finance, digital, people, stakeholder, governance and economics, as well as her background in legal, policy and regulatory experience. Anna holds a BSc and LLB from the University of Otago, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Management Studies from Waikato University.

Andrew has been at the Commission since 2017 and has over 20 years’ experience in competition law and economic regulation across five jurisdictions including Singapore, the UK and Australia. His team provides a centre of excellence for legal expertise with an impressive record in terms of enforcement outcomes and defended appeals. Andrew has a Master of Science in Regulation from the London School of Economics as well as degrees in law (Hons) and economics (Hons) from Monash University.

Nick joined the Commission in November 2010 and was General Manager Market Regulation for the period 2016–2022.

Before joining the Commission, Nick spent a number of years working for energy regulators in the UK (Ofgem) and Australia (Australian Energy Regulator).

Nick has a degree in electrical engineering and is a chartered engineer.