MEET OUR TEAM

MATT SHANKS

Managing Director Lightyears Solar
Co-founder

Matt Shanks has more than 10 years’ experience in transmission, distribution and power generation in the Asia Pacific region, including offshore solar projects. He knows New Zealand has the capability and resources in place to deploy solar at scale to meet our energy and carbon zero targets, and is inspired by the opportunity to bring local talent and innovation to bear in the pursuit of these goals.

Matt’s areas of specialty are power system earthing, HV power cables, HV substations, project and engineering management. He is passionate about building great teams, making things happen, getting things built, and being part of New Zealand’s solar story.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Bachelor of Music. Alongside his successful engineering career, Matt fills many of his weekends and evenings as a sought-after bass player.

SEAN TOBIN
Managing Director Lightyears Energy
Co-founder

Sean Tobin has a background in construction, property development and project management. Lightyears Solar was the result of his desire for a new challenge where he could combine this expertise with his passion for sustainability.

Throughout his career, Sean has thrived in managing complex projects through to completion, including being in charge of large budgets, leading teams and liaising with local government. Seeing a project come together and something being built is what gets him up in the morning.

Sean has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Employment Relations, as well as qualifications in finance, marketing and real estate.

In his down time, Sean enjoys boating, running, skiing and spending time with family and friends.

GLEN JACOBSEN
Development Director

Glen has more than 15 years’ experience both as an electrician and electrical engineer, with experience in transmission and distribution, MV/HV underground cables, generation and HV/LV industrial electrical design projects. He has worked on projects on both green and brownfield sites across New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea, in varied roles including project manager, DM, Electrical and Commissioning Engineer.

He's motivated by seeing great electrical designs come to life, get switched on, and perform as intended and finds the renewable energy space exciting because it's at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Working in this space allows Glen to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

Outside work, Glen enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, especially tramping and fishing.

CALLUM MCKAIN
CFO

Callum McKain has 20 years’ experience in the banking industry here and in the UK, with a focus on corporate finance, financial markets, and structured lending. Most recently he was the Head of Financial Institutions and Healthcare in the Institutional team at Westpac.

Callum enjoys dealing with people and finding innovative funding structures. With the expected growth in the renewables space there are likely to be several instances where he can use his experience to develop and improve the way we fund projects in New Zealand.  He is motivated by being part of a team with a joint purpose to improve the way a sector operates and sees significant opportunities to do this in the renewable energy space.

Outside of the office, you’ll usually find Callum playing, coaching, supporting, or watching sports.

SANJ SINGH
Senior Solar Development Engineer

Sanj Singh studied science at the University of Otago and engineering at the University of Auckland. She has worked as a mechanical designer and manager for nearly 20 years. She led a drawing and design team in the steel manufacturing industry and oversaw complex design projects.

She’s inspired by smart, future-proofed design, and the use of technology to create efficiencies for design delivery and operations. As part of Lightyears Solar, Sanj values doing something positive for the environment, and is excited to be part of an industry that promotes the positive use of our natural resources and by contributing to a future of lower emissions through clean, renewable energy.

Outside of work, Sanj enjoys exploring nature by fishing and hiking, and cooking and socialising with friends and family.

DAVID MADJAR
Principal Electrical Engineer

David has 15+ years’ experience as an engineer working across the generation, transmission/distribution, and communications industries. His extensive experience includes primary substation design, MV/HV cable undergrounding, lightning protection studies, electrical site/safety assessments, detailed LV AC electrical design, construction monitoring and commissioning.

David is passionate about strengthening renewable energy generation in Aotearoa and about being involved in an industry which is currently small but growing. Having the opportunity to develop and solve engineering challenges as the industry grows and adding diversity to the generation market are big drivers for him in his work.

David holds a bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Auckland and outside work, spends his time with his young son, and goes sailing when the time and weather allows.

ABIN THOMAS
Senior Electrical Engineer

Abin is an Electrical Engineer with experience in the design of both high-voltage and low-voltage systems and his work has spanned a variety of applications, including substations, industrial and critical care infrastructure, and battery energy storage systems. He’s worked in both New Zealand and more recently in Australia for several years.

As an engineer, Abin is excited to work in the renewable energy field, an innovative and evolving industry where new technologies are just being implemented.  He’s also inspired by playing a part in progressing humanity towards a more sustainable future, through reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

In his free time you’ll find Abin spending time with friends and family, staying active through soccer, the gym, and judo.

DJ UNNIKRISHNAN
Electrical Engineering Technician

Dhananjay (DJ) Unnikrishnan holds a Bachelor of Engineering Technology from Unitec, where he majored in Electrical, and gained vital skills to bring to the role, including in Computer Aided Design.

He has most recently worked as a mechanic at a company that specialises in electric scooters, and is excited to continue working to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels – this time through solar power generation, at Lightyears Solar.

DJ will play a key role in the development of our solar farms, which will provide much-needed electricity from a renewable source.

Outside work, he loves to travel, particularly to natural waterfalls, and plays basketball, football and video games.

DEBORAH RILEY
Legal Counsel

Deborah has strong experience and expertise in local government and resource management law. As a lawyer in this field, she assisted councils on many issues including resource consenting large projects, managing appeals and district plan development.

Most recently, Deborah has worked as a Senior Investigator for the Office of the Ombudsman, assisting the Chief Ombudsman in investigating a number of complex complaints. She has also worked in local government in the United Kingdom, dealing with contracts and planning law.

Deborah is interested to see how law and policy is adapting to enable renewable energy projects and is motivated by making plans to bring projects together, problem solving along the way and working with people to cater for different perspectives and priorities.

Outside of work, Deborah loves to write, read, and take long bushwalks with her family.  

AMANDA PEART
Communications Advisor

Amanda Peart is an experienced communications professional and journalist with a strong history of public sector communications, specialising in stakeholder engagement. She has a particular interest in environmental communications and behaviour change..

As part of Lightyears Solar, Amanda is able to combine her interest in the environment and her communications experience to contribute to a future of renewable energy. She will be leading their communications strategy and community and stakeholder engagement.

Outside work, Amanda loves spending time with family, friends and her dog, music, reading and the beach.