 On 13 June 2011, Sutton commenced the new role, which has a remuneration of $500k.The new role, where he has a staff of about 50, pays $200k less than his previous role at Orion.Sutton's appointment was widely praised and welcome from all sectors of society, with the popularity gained by Sutton's reaction to the way power was restored, staff praised and information communicated after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.