Advisory Board Chairman

Overview: Hon. David Butcher is an accomplished consultant and former Minister of Energy in New Zealand with over five decades of expertise in public policy, enterprise reform, and infrastructure development. A trusted advisor to governments and international organizations, he has played a pivotal role in shaping policy and regulatory frameworks across energy, telecommunications, and utility sectors globally. His work has influenced over 40 countries, including New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
Education and Early Career: A graduate of Victoria University of Wellington with a BA (Hons) in Economics, David’s career began in labor economics and industrial relations, where he gained firsthand experience in wage control systems and industry reform. His role as a Research Economist at New Zealand's Department of Labour laid the foundation for his future contributions to economic and sectoral policy.
Political Career: David served as a Member of Parliament in New Zealand for over a decade, including as a Cabinet Minister holding portfolios for Energy, Commerce, Trade and Industry, Regional Development, and as Postmaster General. He championed reforms such as the deregulation of the liquid fuels industry, the corporatization of the electricity sector, and the introduction of output-based budgeting through the Public Finance Act. His leadership in privatization and competition policy facilitated the restructuring of state-owned enterprises and improved market conditions across industries.
Consulting Expertise: Since transitioning to consulting in the 1990s, David has established himself as a leading expert in enterprise restructuring, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and regulatory reform. He has led major projects in:
Energy Sector Transformation: Advised governments in Myanmar, Mongolia, and Rwanda on corporatization strategies, hydropower policy, and electricity sector reform to enhance capital investment and sector efficiency.
Telecommunications Policy and Reform: Provided technical assistance and policy advice in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, advocating structural separation and liberalization to foster competition and improve consumer access.
Utility and Infrastructure Development: In Kazakhstan and Central Asia, he facilitated the development of PPPs and regulatory frameworks to modernize critical infrastructure sectors like transport, electricity, and telecommunications.
Global Impact: David’s consulting engagements span organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), UNDP, and EBRD. Notable achievements include:
- Successfully designing corporatization models for Myanmar's state enterprises and drafting foundational laws on hydropower development.
- Spearheading regulatory reforms in Rwanda and Cambodia that led to increased competition and reduced tariffs in telecom sectors.
- Leading the restructuring of Mongolia's coal and electricity sectors to improve efficiency and attract investment.

Thought Leadership: David has authored numerous publications on economic reform, privatization, and regulatory best practices. He has also been a keynote speaker at international forums, advocating for market-driven policies and sustainable developmend.