EnergyCo Board Members
The EnergyCo Board brings unique skills and experience to drive EnergyCo's strategic initiatives forward, ensuring NSW remains at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation.
Board Chair:
Mr Paul Binsted
Paul brings extensive experience in both board governance and the energy sector. In addition to being the Chair for EnergyCo Board, Paul also chairs Stanwell Corporation Limited and has a strong track record in compliance, audit, and risk management, honed through his leadership of Audit and Risk Committees at the Commonwealth Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Board Members:
Ms Sandra Gamble
Sandra brings her leadership experience and a deep commitment to sustainability. With a career committed to advancing Australia's journey towards a clean energy future, she has held prominent positions within the electricity industry, including senior executive roles at Jemena, Sydney Water, and the COAG Energy Council. Sandra's expertise is underpinned by her academic achievements, including a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Sydney and an MBA from Deakin University.
Ms Hannah McCaughey
Hannah has over 25 years of extensive experience in driving transformative change within the energy sector. Her leadership journey spans across the UK and Australia, where she has held executive positions at Gelion, APA, and Ausgrid. Currently, Hannah applies her knowledge of clean energy solutions in her roles as Senior Advisor at Climateworks Centre and Managing Director of Tallarook, an advisory firm specializing in energy transition. Her expertise covers a broad spectrum of areas, including commercial strategy, technological advancements such as clean battery technology, and the development of wind farms.
Mr Vaughan Busby
Vaughan is an experienced leader in the Australian energy industry, bringing over 20 years of expertise. His background in science and business acumen, refined at IMD Lausanne, emphasises his leadership credentials. He currently leverages his expertise as a Non-Executive Director for Energy Queensland, Non-Executive Chairman of SciDev, and Chairman of Netlogix. Previously, he held directorships at Energy One, Ergon Energy, and HRL Morrison & Co, an infrastructure fund manager.
Dr Rebecca Colvin
Dr Colvin is an award-winning researcher, published academic and is a leading voice in Australia on community engagement and social license for regional energy projects. Leveraging her expertise in environmental management at the University of Queensland, she guides policy discussions as an Associate Professor at the prestigious Crawford School of Public Policy at ANU in Canberra.
Dr Keith Turner
Dr. Turner is a leader in the energy sector across Australia and New Zealand who brings a distinguished 50-year career to the table. With an extensive academic background including a PhD, masters, and bachelor's degree from Canterbury University, Dr. Turner culminated his executive journey as CEO of Meridian Energy. His expertise spans utility economics, development planning, and leadership in linear infrastructure and power projects.
Dr. Turner previously served as a Director of Transgrid and holds pivotal roles chairing New Zealand entities such as Transpower New Zealand and the Queenstown Whaihora Grow Well Governance Group. He has also held influential board positions with Fisher and Paykel, Spark Infrastructure, and DamWatch, solidifying his extensive contributions across the industry.
Ms Donna Rygate
Donna brings a unique combination of rural experience and professional and academic achievement to the EnergyCo table. As a sixth-generation farmer from central west NSW, she holds a Juris Doctor from Macquarie University, a Master of Planning and a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Sydney.
Donna’s distinguished public service career includes serving as the Chief Executive of Local Government NSW. Prior to this, she held leadership positions as CEO of the NSW Office of Communities and served at deputy level in agencies including the Department of Planning. Donna's current directorships underscore her continued dedication to public service. She serves on various bodies including Planning Panels, the Rice Marketing Board of NSW, the Local Land Services Board, and is a member of Audit, Risk and Improvement Committees in the Commonwealth, State and Local spheres.
Dr Alex Wonhas
Dr Wonhas boasts a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the prestigious University of Cambridge. Throughout his impressive 30-year career, Dr Wonhas has held leadership positions like Executive General Manager at AEMO, Managing Director at Aurecon, and Executive Director at CSIRO. His extensive experience is further cemented by his involvement on various energy-related advisory committees and boards.
Our Leadership
James Hay - Chief Executive Officer
James Hay is Chief Executive of EnergyCo. James is responsible for overseeing the organisation and leading the executive team.
James has enjoyed a successful career in public and private sector network and infrastructure development, delivery and operation. His areas of expertise include operations management, infrastructure development and funding, policy settings, stakeholder relationships, regulation, trading and pricing, dispute resolution, risk management and governance.
James values the importance of selecting, motivating and empowering teams and enjoys mentoring and coaching. James sets and models high ethical and professional standards at all times.
Mark Westbrook - Chief Project Officer
Mark is Chief Project Officer and is responsible for the development and delivery of EnergyCo’s program of projects.
Mark joined EnergyCo in 2023 and has been delivering projects for 30 years. Prior roles have included 16 years at John Laing Group (based largely in London) where he held a variety of senior roles managing and delivering major greenfield infrastructure projects.
Mark was Chief Risk Officer for the Group and served on their Group Investment Committee, Executive Committee and Risk Committee. Prior to this Mark worked for international contractors in the design, construction, financing and maintenance of projects including 10 years at ALSTOM and three years at UGL.
Ash Albury - Executive Director, Planning & Communities
Ash is Executive Director, Planning and Communities. Ash is responsible for whole-of- REZ strategic planning and policy frameworks, planning approvals for network solutions, community benefit sharing and land and property management.
Ash has extensive experience in the private sector as well as NSW government agencies including in the Department of Regional NSW, the NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet, and the NSW Department of Planning & Environment.
With a focus on regional communities, Ash has a strong track record in supporting economic development, capacity-building and policy frameworks that support local life.
Making his home in Central-West NSW, Ash has unique and extensive knowledge of the strengths, challenges and opportunities within regional NSW.
Chloe Hicks - Executive Director, Strategy and Policy
Chloe Hicks is Executive Director, Strategy and Policy. Chloe is responsible for driving EnergyCo’s corporate and business strategy, strategic policy and advice, and regulatory processes.
Chloe has extensive experience and expertise in energy and government processes. She has been instrumental in delivering energy, water, and climate change policies in the State, including the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and its enabling legislation. She is passionate about ensuring energy infrastructure is developed in a way that benefits consumers and regional communities, having designed the process for REZ implementation and delivery in NSW.
Alexandra Finley - Chief Finance and Operations Officer
Alexandra Finley is Chief Finance and Operations Officer. Alex is responsible for negotiation and management of REZ development services and agreements, project financial structuring, commercial negotiations and due diligence, product development, and legal and risk.
Alex has extensive knowledge and expertise across the commercial, risk and legal aspects of electricity infrastructure, and outstanding knowledge of industry operations, governance and commercial models.
Andrew Kingsmill - Executive Director, Technical Advisory Services
Andrew Kingsmill is Executive Director, Technical Advisory Services. Andrew is responsible for the NSW Network Strategy, REZ network solutions, REZ optimisation, access scheme technical design and timely and effective connection processes.
Andrew has extensive experience in electricity infrastructure planning, operations regulation, and asset management. At Transgrid, he led the planning and economic evaluation of new transmission with a total value of $3 billion and managed technical due diligence for connection of new generators and customers totalling five gigawatts. Andrew provides technical leadership, ensuring successful and optimal integration of REZ infrastructure as part of an integrated and coordinated NSW Network Strategy - working closely with the Consumer Trustee, AEMO, Transgrid and the Distribution Network Service Providers.