I have succeeded in building 4 successful leading organisations which have continued to thrive for decades. I have also served on board of multiple boards of private, public and not for profit organisations. I have technical qualifications (to Masters level) in applied science and engineering, and decades of business experience and success.

In July 2024 I stepped down as CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) after 4 years at the helm building the organisation from start-up to a successful innovation organisation funding $30M of collaborative research annually, following 18 months leading the bid team which secured $68.5M of Commonwealth funding in March 2020, and $300M+ total funding commitments. RACE for 2030 (RACE=reliable, affordable, clean energy) www.RACEfor2030.com.au is the CRC for the energy and carbon transformation.

Priori to RACE, I was also the co-founder and for 9 years was CEO of the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, which aims to double Australia's energy productivity www.a2ep.org.au. A2EP is still thriving and now approaching its 15th anniversary.

My first founder role was with Energetics (a leading energy/C consulting business) in 1984, which I built from a one person business and led it for well over 2 decades. The business is now having its 40th anniversary, and has just been acquired by ERM. While running Energetics, I also established and led a technology start-up subsidiary (the first on/line info management system for energy and sustainability metrics) which I took to the USA (for 4 years); and I also developed the One-2-five management diagnostic software, that was used by USA EPA, and later became the basis for major utility industrial demand management programs (SEM) across USA.

I have been a member of many boards in the energy/climate including ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency), EEC (Energy Efficiency Council), A2EP (Australian Alliance to Save Energy which became the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity), BCSD (was Sustainable Business Australia), NSW Climate Council, VP of Australian Institute of Energy (NSW), as well being founder and currently Chair of Children’s Discovery (which has succeeded for 23 years). 

I am a Chemical Engineer by training with a Masters in Applied Science in Energy Technology. I have been selected as one of the ‘100 Most Influential Engineers in Australia’ and am a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Science and Engineering. I received the Millenium Medal, and Energy Efficiency Champion award from EEC.

Jutsen Innovation

Independent thinker, advisor and innovator on energy and carbon mitigation

July 2024 - Present

RACE for 2030

6 years 5 months

CEO

March 2020 - July 2024 (4 years 5 months) 

RACE for 2030 is the CRC for the energy and carbon transformation, focusing on energy end users. I built RACE from initiation during COVID and a totally virtual operation through to impactful operation as an effective collaborative research organization, with a strong reputation. RACE has $300M of resources to invest in innovation across the energy value chain with over 120 partners: energy users and industry associations, energy retailers and distributors, technology companies, governments, researchers and stakeholders. 

Bid leader

March 2018 - March 2020 (2 years 1 month)

I lead the bid team for the CRC application through to the successful awarding of the grant, after which I was appointed CEO

Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP)

CEO and Co-Founder

April 2011 - March 2020 (9 years) 

I was co-founder of A2EP (originally Aust Alliance to Save Energy). The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity is a not-for-profit organisation formed to double Australia's Energy Productivity ($ GDP/energy use) by 2030 from 2020 base year. We developed a Roadmap to achieve 2xEP, as a collaborative activity between business, government, NGOs and research organisations. See www.a2ep.org.au

Energetics

Founder, CEO and Chief Innovation Officer

1984 - June 2012 (28 years)

Energetics is a leading specialist management consultancy in energy and carbon management. www.energetics.com.au. I built the business from initiation up to 125 staff and around $20M turnover over 16 years, then had 3 years in USA running Envinta subsidiary and returned to Australia to head up product/business development. It has recently been announced that Energetics has been acquired by ERM and with that the last of direct connection with Energetics will end, though my connection with the wonderful alumni continues.

Developed the One2Five diagnostic tool and continuous improvement program for energy management in 1999, and took it to USA through Envinta (including with EPA and major utilities), which lead to the development of the SEM utility program, applied in over 1000 US industrial sites. Developed the first on-line information management system for energy/ sustainability metrics (originally Our-e-Manager). Launched in 2001 and marketed in USA from 2001-2004.

Energy Authority of NSW

Manager - Energy Management Advisory Service, following 1 year as an energy policy officer

1981 - 1984 (3 years)

I led a team I built of energy engineers providing consulting, training and info transfer to NSW businesses, following 12 months in policy development

Energy/Climate Boards

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Board Member

April 2016 - April 2018 (2 years 1 month)

ARENA accelerates penetration of renewable energy in Australia. I served on the board for 2 years when Ivor Frischknecht was CEO.

NSW Climate Council

Member

July 2015 - January 2020 (4 years 7 months) 

Energy Efficiency Council

Board member

2009 - 2012 (3 years)

I served on the board of EEC in early years of its establishment.

Sustainable Business Australia (was EBA)

Director

January 2009 - December 2011 (3 years)

Education

University of NSW

Masters of Applied Science, Fuel Technology · (1981 - 1982)

University of New South Wales

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Chemical Engineering · (1976 - 1979)

First Class Honours, Abbott Laboratory Prize

Turramurra High School

Dux 

Some Awards:

• 100 most influential engineers – Engineers Australia

• Millenium medal

• Energy Management Champion for lifetime achievement – 2019 - EEC