
After 21 years of growth, Groundline enters a new chapter—one that underscores our commitment to governance, succession planning, and sustainable growth, while creating development opportunities for our incredible team.
We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in Groundline’s journey of strategic growth and leadership evolution:
KYLE JAMES APPOINTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kyle James now steps into the role of CEO, taking the reins across our global business from Richi Cleland, who will remain deeply involved in governance and leading the strategic execution of our next big growth moves as a member of the board.
Kyle brings over 20 years of experience in the energy sector and has been an integral part of Groundline since 2014. His journey reflects a proven ability to deliver results and inspire teams. For the past six years, Kyle has led our ANZ consulting business, played a key role in the growth of our global business, driven major transmission projects, expanded service offerings, and built strong client relationships. He has spearheaded initiatives that positioned Groundline as a trusted partner in complex engineering solutions, contributing to multi-million-dollar projects and market expansion. A passionate advocate for talent development, Kyle has mentored emerging leaders and fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation that will continue to shape Groundline’s future. With deep technical knowledge and commercial acumen, Kyle brings a unique blend of operational insight and strategic vision—critical as we pursue growth opportunities across all markets.
RICHI CLELAND'S CONTINUED LEADERSHIP
As a founder and Managing Director alongside Ian Flatley, Richi’s leadership has been instrumental in building Groundline into the innovative, resilient, and values-driven company it is today. Richi will continue to focus on governance and strategic execution, ensuring we remain anchored to our values while driving the next phase of global growth.
This transition reflects our commitment to sustainable growth, leadership continuity, and building a future-ready organization. Together, we look forward to deepening our impact, expanding our reach, and continuing to deliver exceptional value to our customers and communities.
Thank you to our incredible team, partners, and clients for your ongoing support
We’re thrilled to introduce Maia, a Graduate Engineer who is joining our New Zealand team.

Sit in on any utility planning meeting and you’ll see the same challenge: project delivery dominates the agenda, while asset management fights for attention.

As Groundline enters a new phase of growth and I find myself at the helm, I am in an interesting position where I am looking through two lenses. One on the ANZ market that I have operated in for 10+ years and the other on our global markets (UK, EU and USA).

