Kirsten Clayton
General Counsel & Company Secretary at Contact Energy

Kirsten Clayton is General Counsel & Company Secretary at Contact Energy, where she leads the legal and governance function and advises the board and executive team on complex commercial, regulatory and strategic matters. Kirsten played a key role in Contact’s recent $2.5b takeover of Manawa Energy, supporting the transaction from strategy and diligence through execution and integration. She brings a practical, inside‑the‑organisation perspective to M&A, focused on decision‑making, risk appetite and delivery under pressure. In 2025, Kirsten was named ILANZ Private Sector In‑house Lawyer of the Year, recognised for her outstanding leadership and strategic impact in New Zealand's energy sector.