Hamilton doctor wants seat on Telecom board

Tim Rooke. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Hamilton-based GP Tim Rooke says he wants to sit on to the board of Telecom to ensure chief executive Paul Reynolds and his management team are up to scratch.

Rooke, a Telecom shareholder for more than 15 years, yesterday received clearance to stand as an independent director at the board's October 1 annual general meeting after nominating himself.

But he was not given the thumbs up by the board which listed Rooke's nomination as a "resolution not supported by the board" on its business agenda.

Despite the lack of support Rooke said he was not deterred.

"I guess most observers would say I don't have a chance - but you never know unless you try."

Rooke said Telecom's falling share price and a bad experience as a customer had sparked his decision to stand as a director for New Zealand's largest listed company.

Despite having no experience as a director Rooke said he believed he could do a good job of finding out whether the management and the chief executive were doing their jobs well. "I believe most board members do not do what is adequate. What tends to happen is they just look through accounts and attend meetings.

"I believe to do an adequate job the board member has to be a little bit of an investigator."

Rooke said as well as being a doctor he had a postgraduate diploma in business administration and a graduate diploma in business majoring in management.

Rooke said his odds of getting on to the board depended on the perception of voters.

"I suppose it's not particularly high but other voters may be fed-up and may be looking for a change."

A Telecom spokesperson said the company welcomed feedback and involvement from all its shareholders but the board would not support Rooke's nomination as it did not believe his background or experience added depth or additional experience to the current board.

"At last year's annual meeting we made it clear we were looking for new directors with skills in online media and entrepreneurial broadband and mobile services. As a result, in the last year we have appointed Kevin Roberts and Sachio Semmoto, both of whom have strong experience across these fields."

Roberts was voted on to the board at last year's AGM after two rebel contenders - Mark Tume and Mark Cross - failed to get on after being put forward by US hedge fund and shareholder Elliott International.