WM New Zealand has appointed Richard Griffiths as Chief of Corporate Services following an executive search conducted by SEQEL Partners.

WM New Zealand is Aotearoa’s leading materials recovery, recycling, and waste management provider with over 2,000 team members and circa 1,000 trucks across 70+ locations from Kaitaia to Bluff. Reporting to the Managing Director, Evan Maehl, the Chief of Corporate Services role has been established to further enhance WM’s operational excellence, people and culture, and strategic capabilities across the business.

Richard brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors, most recently serving as Deputy Chief Executive Corporate & Digital Shared Services at the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). He has led large, diverse teams and delivered transformational change, strategy development, and operational improvements in complex environments. Richard’s collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and commitment to building high-performing teams have been evident throughout his career, including senior roles at MBIE, Bank of New Zealand, Fonterra, Air New Zealand, and more.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland. He commences with WM New Zealand in late January 2026.