WasteCo Appoints Brian Cohalan as CEO to Lead Transformation

New CEO to Drive WasteCo’s Transformation

WasteCo (NZX:WCO) has appointed Brian Cohalan as its new Chief Executive, with his tenure commencing on 31 August 2026. Cohalan’s arrival marks a pivotal moment in the company’s ongoing transformation efforts, bringing with him 17 years of leadership experience in the Australian waste sector and a track record of managing complex organisational change.

His background includes senior roles at Sita Environmental Solutions and Cleanaway, as well as executive leadership in New Zealand with Tyco NZ, where he spearheaded a significant merger. Most recently, Cohalan served as Managing Director at Glidepath and later Vice President for the Alstef Group’s APAC region following an acquisition.

Interim CEO Steps Back, Supporting Transition

Roger Gower, who has been serving as Interim CEO during the CEO search, will retire at the end of August but will remain involved temporarily to ensure a smooth handover. Gower’s role in maintaining leadership continuity during this period has been acknowledged by the board, which is now focused on capitalising on the fresh strategic direction under Cohalan.

Regional Leadership Bolstered Amid Growth Plans

WasteCo is also strengthening its regional management team with the appointments of Aaron Meyer and Ian Gear. Meyer joins as Regional Manager for Southland and Otago starting 17 August, bringing over a decade of commercial leadership experience, including recent waste sector roles at Enviro NZ where he managed major sales portfolios.

Ian Gear takes the helm for Canterbury and Tasman, bringing extensive operational leadership from both New Zealand and Australia. His previous roles at Pirtek Fluid Systems involved turning around underperforming branches and enhancing safety culture, skills WasteCo hopes will drive performance improvements in these key regions.

COO Resignation Adds to Leadership Changes

Adding to the leadership shuffle, Chief Operating Officer Stephen Towsen has resigned effective 4 October 2026 to pursue a new role in the North Island. While the company has not disclosed plans for his replacement, Towsen’s departure comes amid this broader leadership realignment aimed at boosting operational and financial performance.

WasteCo Chair Sean Joyce emphasised the value of Cohalan’s appointment, highlighting his extensive experience and ability to reshape the company’s operations. These leadership moves follow recent governance changes, including Sean Joyce’s elevation to Chair in July, and a $10 million funding facility secured earlier in the year to support growth and liquidity.