Governance

Simon Corbell has extensive experience in renewable energy investment, policy and regulation and climate change policy and adaptation, most recently as Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Clean Energy Investor Group. In the past eight years, Simon has served in a range of energy and climate advisory and consulting roles in the private and public sectors, including with Pollination Group, Providence Climate Capital and Energy Estate. He is an advisory board member with the Battery Grid and Storage Integration Program at the Australian National University and recently served as a member of the expert advisory panel for the NSW Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up. He has previously held the positions of Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and as Honorary Associate Professor at the ANU Energy Change Institute.  Simon is also a non-executive director of the Climate Council.

Mr Corbell has also held roles as renewable energy advocate with the Victorian government; Patron of the Smart Energy Council; member of the Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star Advisory Committee; Chair of the Business Renewables Centre Australia Technical Advisory Panel; Advisory Board member of the Million Jobs Plan for Beyond Zero Emissions; and Australian Expert Advisory Board Member for the Climate Reality Project. Prior to that, Simon held roles in the ACT Government, including as Deputy Chief Minister, and Minister for Energy, Climate Change and the Environment.

Joycelyn Morton is a highly qualified finance professional with expertise in taxation matters. She has had a long and successful executive career, initially in chartered accounting, followed by senior management roles with Woolworths Ltd and global leadership roles within Shell Group of companies, including Vice President, Accounting Services based in the Netherlands.  Ms Morton is an experienced Board member of ASX-listed companies and government-owned corporations.  She is a Non-Executive Director of Epic Energy (since 2023), Gelion (since 2021), Argo Global Listed Infrastructure Ltd (since 2015), and Felix Holdings Group Ltd (since July 2021), and was formerly a Non-Executive Director and Risk and Audit Committee Chair at Snowy Hydro (2012 to 2021).  She has extensive experience chairing audit and risk committees and has also held a variety of government and international advisory positions.

Anna Skarbek has considerable private and public sector knowledge and is an experienced non-executive director, investment banker, policy advisor and lawyer.  She is the CEO of Climateworks Centre and was a founding director of Australia’s publicly owned $10 billion ‘green investment bank’, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and the Carbon Market Institute, and sits on the Asia Pacific Advisory Board of the Glasgow Financial Alliance on Net Zero.  Ms Skarbek has worked in finance, law, government and non-profit organisations, in London and Melbourne. She has served on boards for over 20 years and been appointed by national and state governments to numerous advisory roles in low-carbon development and sustainable investments.

Jo Benvenuti is a strategic thinker and leader with a deep understanding of energy and water policy, and customer welfare and engagement.  She has demonstrated capability as a non-executive director of eight years on the Board of Gippsland Water and has previously chaired two energy specific government advisory panels. Ms Benvenuti is a recent member of the SEC Expert Panel, advising the Victorian Government on the SEC’s remit, strategy, and functions. Her leadership roles have included Chair of the Consumers’ Federation of Australia and Executive Officer of the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre, a research house focused on energy and water policy and advocacy.  She has particular expertise in stakeholder engagement, having worked extensively with communities and their representative agencies, government, regulators, and industry.

Additionally, Ms Benvenuti brings a deep understanding of legislation, regulation, and corporate governance, with experience across various roles including at the Office of the Regulator-General (now Essential Services Commission), in Not-for-Profit organisations and seven years as second-in-charge to the Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria).

Damien is the founder and Managing Director of YIMBA Legal & Consulting.  He has 30 years’ experience in law, commercial management and engineering, including; infrastructure, mining, resources, energy, renewables, environment, planning, property, native title, land claims and cultural heritage.  Damien's employment experience includes; King & Wood Mallesons, DLA Piper, UGL, local and state government.

Mr Barnes’ board and committee experience includes: Chair of the Aboriginal Housing Office NSW; Chair of Nguluway DesignInc; Chair of Westpac’s Indigenous Advisory Committee; Member of Westpac’s Stakeholder Advisory Council; Director of Supply Nation; Member of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement; National Centre of Indigenous Excellence; and Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre.  His qualifications include an MBA, LLB and B.Eng.  He is a proud Bidjara man from central Queensland with connection to Woorabinda and also provides extensive pro bono assistance to Indigenous communities and organisations.

Sharan Burrow AC is a passionate advocate and campaigner for social justice, labour standards, corporate responsibility, the environment and climate action with just transition. She is well known for her work championing women’s rights, equality and diversity, global migration and employment.

As a former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation and President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Ms Burrow has represented workers and civil society groups in global policy discussions in United Nations bodies, the International Labour Organisation, and the tables of the G7, G20, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.  She has twice been a co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos.

Cameron Garnsworthy has more than 20 years’ experience in renewable energy and helped pioneer Australia’s first wind and solar farms.  He has led the development, structuring, sale, construction and operation of more than 30 solar, wind and battery storage projects across Australia, Germany and Italy.

Mr Garnsworthy is also the Managing Director of SunCable Australia, which is developing the world's first intercontinental renewable power grid. He was previously Managing Director of JUWI Renewable Energy, a global leader in the development, construction and operational management of hybrid wind, solar and battery solutions.

He previously served on the board of the Clean Energy Council, providing guidance on issues affecting Australia’s renewable energy industry as a speaker and mentor.

Chris was appointed CEO of SEC Victoria Pty Ltd in 2024. Chris has led the SEC since December 2022, first as Interim CEO of the SEC Implementation Office and then interim CEO of the new entity.

Prior to this, Chris was Deputy Secretary, Tourism and Events at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. He also held senior executive roles, including General Counsel, at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where he advised the Premier on Victoria’s energy, infrastructure, planning and transport portfolios.

Before joining the Victorian Public Service, Chris worked at EnergyAustralia and practised as a commercial lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons. In those roles, he advised on a broad range of matters relating to energy, including mergers and acquisitions, generation development, project financing, carbon, utilities regulation, trade practices and commercial contracting.

Lane Crockett joined the SEC in July 2023. Lane leads SEC’s investments in renewable energy and storage assets and has more than 35 years experience in the energy industry, including 20 years in renewable energy.

Prior to the SEC, Lane was an Executive Director at Sentient Impact Group, where he helped it grow into an institutional level impact investment business. This followed five years at the Impact Investment Group, where, as Head of Renewable Infrastructure, he established several solar funds in support of Australia's clean energy transition. Lane also worked for Pacific Hydro (now Pacific Blue) as Head of Country, and was a Director at both the Clean Energy Council and the Australian Energy Council (formerly ESAA).

Elisha Civil joined the SEC in March 2024 and has more than 20 years experience in corporate financial management and governance. She has a demonstrated history of building teams, systems and processes from early stage through to maturity.

Prior to the SEC, Elisha was the Chief Financial Officer of Technology Metals Australia Ltd. She has also held senior finance roles with Fortescue Ltd, Galaxy Resources Limited and Regis Resources Ltd. Elisha commenced her career as an external auditor and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with EY in Western Australia and Canada.

Mike Wilson joined the SEC in February 2024. Mike has more than 30 years financial, commercial, trading and risk management experience in wholesale electricity and environmental markets. He also has over ten years experience as an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence Responsible Manager.

Prior to the SEC, Mike held senior financial and commercial roles at three of Australia’s leading and recognisable renewable energy companies, including Pacific Hydro (now Pacific Blue) and Tilt Renewables, where he built trading desk and C&I retailing capabilities from scratch.

Tess Hughes joined the SEC in February 2023. Tess has more than 20 years of corporate affairs and strategic communications experience across public and private sectors. Tess has been a member of executive teams navigating complex issues and transformational change and has led national and state campaigns reaching millions of people.

Prior to the SEC, Tess was the Chief Communications Officer at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. Within the private sector, Tess has held senior communications roles at Rio Tinto, National Australia Bank, Woolworths and Shell.  Earlier in her career, she also held executive roles at the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Infrastructure and led communications for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Sam Gifford joined the SEC in December 2022. Sam has more than 20 years experience as a lawyer and advisor across public and private sectors, and is an experienced General Counsel.

Prior to the SEC, he was General Counsel and Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of Justice & Community Safety, and before that was Deputy General Counsel at the Victorian Department of Premier & Cabinet.

In private practice, Sam worked in Melbourne, Sydney and New York for Herbert Smith Freehills, Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP and Mills Oakley as a litigation and disputes lawyer, and also practised as a barrister at the Victorian Bar.

Sumone Chakravarti joined the SEC in February 2024. Sumone has more than 20 years experience in strategy, research and analysis, management, and front-line operations. She has also supported the Federal Government and State jurisdictions in planning for the energy transition.

Prior to this, Sumone was Associate Partner at McKinsey and Company, and has worked in senior strategy and implementation roles for the National Disability Insurance Agency, Medibank Private, the University of Melbourne, and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Adrian Hill joined the SEC in February 2023, leading the establishment of the Commercial and Finance teams. Adrian has over 25 years Australian and international experience in strategic and finance roles in the resources and energy industries. He has an established record in strategy development, operational management, investment analysis, transaction management, corporate structuring and capital raising.

Prior to the SEC, Adrian held executive roles for AusNet Services, the Australian Energy Market Operator, and TXU Australia. Adrian also holds several non-executive directorships.

Ruchika Deora joined the SEC in February 2024. She has over 20 years’ experience in energy, including extensive international experience in strategic, commercial, and operational delivery.

Prior to the SEC, Ruchika worked with ExxonMobil, EnerNOC (now EnelX), CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy. She has also helped scale start-ups and small businesses in retail, energy, and consulting. Ruchika is the Founder and Chair of Women in Energy, a professional association dedicated to increasing diversity in leadership in the energy sector.