AGL Energy announced board member Patricia McKenzie has replaced Peter Botten as chair, beginning an overhaul after scrapping plans to split its coal-fired generation unit from its energy retail business.
McKenzie is currently the chair of NSW Ports and the Sydney Desalination Plant group companies. She was previously the chair of Essential Energy, a director of APA Group, AEMO, Macquarie Generation and Transgrid, CEO of the Gas Market Company and a key participant in the Council of Australian Government’s National Energy Reform. McKenzie was also the chair-elect of AGL Australia.
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In addition, former chair of the Clean Energy Council and adviser to the AEMC and AEMO on the energy transition, Miles George has joined the Board as an independent non-executive director. This appointment follows an externally facilitated search for a director experienced in renewable energy project delivery.
George is the third new director appointed in the past 12 months, joining ESG and energy transition specialist Vanessa Sullivan and long-term international energy executive Graham Cockroft.
In line with these changes, non-executive director Diane Smith-Gander AO has brought forward her resignation date to today.
Managing director and CEO Graeme Hunt will finish in his role on September 30, 2022, at which point chief financial officer Damien Nicks will take up the role of interim CEO. Finance and energy executive Gary Brown will act as interim chief financial officer.
Patricia McKenzie said, “I would like to acknowledge and thank Peter Botten for his significant contribution as a member of the AGL Board over the past six years, including as chairman over a challenging 18 months. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Diane Smith-Gander for her outstanding contribution to the Board over the past six years, including as chair of the People & Performance Committee.”
Ms McKenzie also thanked departing CEO Graeme Hunt for his significant contribution and service to the company as executive and non-executive director, including as chairman, since 2012.
“Graeme will leave the company at the end of the month having led with deep commitment and professionalism through an extraordinary time of change,” McKenzie said.
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“Mr George’s appointment as Non-Executive Director will enhance AGL’s renewable energy credentials and leadership to help drive further the deployment of renewable and firming technologies required for the decarbonisation of AGL’s energy portfolio. We are delighted to welcome Miles to the Board and look forward to working with him.”
The process for appointing a new CEO is continuing as planned and there is currently a shortlist of Australian and global candidates.
