Leadership Team

Our refinery is led by a close-knit Leadership Team. Each manager has a unique set of skills and experience. What binds this group of key people, and underpins the success of our business, is the shared ownership they take for meeting the strategy and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Sjoerd Post
Chief Executive Officer
Sjoerd Post
Sjoerd joined the company in January 2013.  He has over 30 years' international experience with Shell.

His background is in Trading and Commercial business.  Prior to becoming EVP Downstream Strategy and Portfolio, he was VP of Aviation and Marine, leading both businesses through the launch of GSAP in 2010, preceded by a period leading Downstream's Internal Management Consultancy.

Prior to this Sjoerd held a variety of roles within Shell in Trading, Commercial Sales, Customer Service Management, Marketing, General Management and eCommerce, including during this time assignments in New Zealand, Denmark and London. He has a passion for safety and chaired the joint industry/regulator.

Born and raised in Holland, Sjoerd now considers New Zealand home, having spent more than 20 years here.  During the weekends Sjoerd enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.  He also enjoys music, the arts, sailing and watching the All Blacks.
Jack Ariel
BSc (Mechanical Engineer)
Project Director
Jack Ariel
Jack worked for Shell for more than 30 years during which time he held a variety of leadership roles in his native Argentina and across the world.

These roles included:
* manufacturing (Engineering Manager and Production Manager); 
* project management (The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Buenos Aires);
* fuels distribution (South America);
* and supply chain management (Latin America).

Before coming to New Zealand in 2006, he was the General Manager for the Lubricants Supply Chain in Latin America and the Caribbean covering a huge number of countries.

After directing the successful completion of the refinery's Point Forward Project, Jack retired from Shell and joined Refining NZ as Refining Manager. In May 2011, he was appointed Project Director for the next growth project. Jack is married with a son and daughter.  

While enjoying living in New Zealand, his heritage means he also loves meat, Malbec wine and football. In his free time he likes to play golf and travel.

Responsibilities
* Lead the team from project scope and development, through all phases to completion of the $400-500 million NZD Growth Project. (subject to board approval)
Peter Gubb
Refining Manager
Peter Gubb
Peter joined Refining NZ in 1985 as an operator during the major expansion project. Originally from the Waikato, his previous process experience had been in the dairy industry.

Peter has held various roles with Refining NZ, including working in Operations, IT and Process Services. In 2007 Peter joined the Leadership Team as Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Manager. And in 2011 he took over from Jack Ariel as Refining Manager.

Outside work Peter plays golf most weekends and enjoys getting out on the water for a spot of fishing. He's a passionate local rugby supporter and gets to as many Northland 'Taniwha' home games as possible 

Responsibilities
* Refinery and marine/jetty operations
* Refinery to Auckland Pipeline operation and management
* Process Engineering 
* Process Control
* Operational excellence
* Emergency Services
Denise Jensen
CA
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Denise Jensen
Denise has enjoyed a long association with the Refining NZ.  She joined the company in 2005 as Internal Auditor, before taking over the role of Accounting Manager on a job-share basis.

In 2009 Denise was appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer and in 2010 Company Secretary.  

Prior to starting with the company, she was the manager responsible for auditing Refining NZ while working for one of the 'big four' chartered accountant firms.

Denise is married with three children and spends much of her free time supporting her family in their varied sporting interests. 

Responsibilities
* Finance (accounting, treasury and taxation)
* Business information systems
* Corporate administration
* Procurement
* Company secretarial
* Corporate governance
* Investor relations
* Risk and assurance
Vaughan Wykes
Engineering Manager
Vaughan Wykes
Vaughan joined Refining NZ in 2008 after 10 years working with major oil companies in the Middle East and Former Soviet Union,  His career has taken him from apprentice to engineer, to manager and senior leader.

His experience has been predominantly in the oil and gas industry undertaking senior roles in: 
* contract management; 
* major projects; 
* engineering;
* and maintenance covering all engineering disciplines.

Vaughan is on several boards and committees.  He chairs the Northland Energy Forum and the New Zealand Leading Practice Network.  He's also a member of the Future Trades Advisory Board, the BusinessNZ Electricity Industry Group and BusinessNZ Infrastructure sub-group.Vaughan, wife Janice and their three adult children enjoy outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking.  They're also keen boaties, and love getting out in Northland waters looking for a sheltered anchorage or chasing elusive game fish. 

Responsibilities
* Asset integrity, reliability and performance 
* Inspection, integrity assurance, compliance 
* Capital and maintenance projects; design, construction, drafting 
* Maintenance engineering, planning and scheduling; workshops and mobile equipment 
* Discipline engineers and specialists - Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control systems, Civil and Facilities 
* Shutdowns and turnaround planning, scheduling and delivery
Jim Collings
Strategy & Supply Chain Manager
Jim Collings

Jim joined the Refining NZ Leadership Team in May 2012 and has had significant experience in the oil industry, both in New Zealand and Australia.  Prior to joining, Jim was General Manager, Commercial for Shell Australia - a pivotal role with responsibility for sales, marketing, operations and corporate support across a range of national markets from energy and resources through to agriculture.  From 2001 - 2007 he was the General Manager of Shell's commercial business and downstream operations in New Zealand.
Outside of the oil industry, Jim has broad experience across FMCG, mobile communications, consultancy commercial, and business turnaround roles.  He was General Manager and Senior Downstream Manager with David Forman International, Australasia's largest privately owned organisational performance development company.  Experience in FMCG includes National sales roles with SC Johnson and Montana Wines Ltd.
Jim is married with a grown daughter.  Outside of work he enjoys cooking, golf and keeping fit!
Responsibilities
* Strategy 
* Planning & Performance Management 
* Business Development 
* Marketing, Sales & Customer Service 
* Communications & External Affairs 
* Supply & Logistics 
* Commercial Optimisation
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