The Australian energy landscape continues to evolve with a series of significant leadership appointments and board changes, reflecting a strategic focus on both the nation’s robust oil and gas industry and its broader energy transition. These recent moves are shaping the future direction of the sector, from national regulators to major producers and diversified resources companies.
A pivotal appointment for the national energy market is Geoffrey Rutledge, who will take on the role of CEO at the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), effective August 11, 2025. Rutledge brings over two decades of experience in the ACT public sector, with a strong background in energy, environment, and climate change policy, positioning him to guide the AEMC through Australia’s complex energy transition.
Within the major players of the oil and gas sector, Chevron Australia has also seen a significant leadership change. Balaji Krishnamurthy assumed the role of Managing Director and President, Australia, for Chevron’s Upstream organisation in April 2025. Based in Perth, he is now responsible for Chevron’s upstream activities and operations in Australia, including the critical Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas developments and participating interests in the North West Shelf Project. His extensive international experience from previous roles at Chevron, including Vice President, Chevron Technical Center, and President of Chevron Canada, will be instrumental in this key market.
Concurrently, Mineral Resources (MinRes), a diversified resources company with substantial energy interests, has fortified its board with the immediate appointments of Lawrie Tremaine and Ross Carroll as independent non-executive directors. Tremaine, with a background as CFO of both Origin Energy and Woodside Energy, will chair the Audit and Risk Committee and the Sustainability Committee. Carroll, bringing extensive CEO and CFO experience from across the mining and energy sectors, will chair the Ethics and Governance Committee. These appointments, occurring as Malcolm Bundey also took up his post as MinRes Chair this month, signal a strong emphasis on enhancing corporate governance and financial acumen.
Further reflecting changes within the broader energy and gas sectors, Gas Energy Australia announced Jordan McCollum as its new CEO in January 2025. With 18 years of experience in the wholesale gas industry, McCollum is set to be a key figure in Australia’s gas industry transition, particularly in evolving traditional gas supply chains towards renewable alternatives. Prior to joining GEA, he played a pivotal role at the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) in advocating for renewable gas.
These comprehensive leadership adjustments across Australia’s energy landscape, spanning regulatory bodies, major producers, diversified companies, and industry associations, underscore a proactive and strategic approach to managing the nation’s energy future amidst evolving global and domestic demands.
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