Media Release

Human Resources Appointments at Solid Energy

Simon Cowles has been appointed Director of Human Resources for coal producer and distributor, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd.

Solid Energy currently employs around 400 people at eight mines and other sites on the West Coast and in Southland and Waikato. The company's head office is in Christchurch.

Solid Energy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder, comments: "The future success of Solid Energy in doubling production and opening new mines, which we need to do to meet the increasing demands for coal in New Zealand and internationally, depends on the quality and skills of our workforce. Our expanded Human Resources team has been tasked with recruiting a number of new positions in the coming months and putting in place programmes and procedures to ensure that our staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to keep the company at the forefront of the mining industry."

Simon Cowles previously helped establish and manage the New Zealand operation of TMP Worldwide Business Consulting and has extensive experience in business strategy and human resources. Simon has held in-house and consultancy positions and run his own businesses, most recently Cowles Notley, which became Cowles Mitchell Beadon in 1998 and was acquired by TMP Worldwide in 1999. Simon holds Bachelors of Commerce and Education from the University of Canterbury.

At Solid Energy Simon heads up a Human Resources team of four including new appointee Jane Burns as one of three Human Resources Managers. She has specific responsibility for recruitment. Jane was previously Human Resources Advisor for the Canterbury District Health Board at Burwood Hospital. From 1991 to 1997 she held human resources and communications positions at New Zealand Aluminum Smelters Ltd at Tiwai Point near Invercargill. Jane holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Otago and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Canterbury.