Executive Leadership Team

MARC ENGLAND - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Marc joined Ausgrid as CEO in 2023, bringing a wealth of global experience spanning the energy, oil and gas and automotive industries.

Throughout his career, Marc has held a number of executive positions. Prior to joining Ausgrid, Marc was the CEO of Genesis Energy in New Zealand, delivering significant transformation and growth to a business that was at the forefront of the energy transition.

Marc also held Executive roles at AGL Energy where he was responsible for the establishment of the company’s New Energy Arm to deliver distributed energy resources to customers. Prior to that, Marc spent six years at British Gas in a range of leadership roles driving impactful commercial and operational outcomes.

Complemented by his people-first approach, purpose driven leadership and breadth of skills across engineering, finance and operations, Marc is applying global experience to ensure Ausgrid plays an active role in a net zero future. Through innovation, Marc is committed to ensuring electricity customers play a role in enabling a more sustainable future.

Marc has a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and European Studies from the University of Sussex and an MBA from Imperial College London. 

MICHAEL BRADBURN - CFO AND GROUP EXECUTIVE - BUSINESS SERVICES

Michael was appointed as Ausgrid’s CFO in 2017, bringing to the role more than 20 years of experience developing high-performance cultures and driving the financial and operational performance at several of Australia’s leading companies. Prior to joining the Ausgrid team, he was the CFO of Viva Energy Australia; the non-executive Director of the ASX listed Waypoint REIT; and the CFO at Brisbane Airport.

Michael is a Chartered Accountant, ACCA Fellow and GAICD, and holds a Master of Business Administration from AGSM, as well as a Bachelor of Business. He is also a Member of the Reporting Committee at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

NIGEL LOWRY - GROUP EXECUTIVE - LEGAL, GOVERNANCE & PROPERTY

Nigel was appointed to the Ausgrid Executive Team in 2017. At Ausgrid, Nigel is responsible for the Legal, Risk, Compliance, Internal Audit, Company Secretarial and Security Teams.  Nigel is also responsible for the Health & Safety – Strategy & Governance Team and the Property Team, which manages all acquisitions, disposals, leasing and development of Ausgrid’s extensive property portfolio of depots, office buildings, industrial premises and numerous network sites.

Nigel has more than 23 years’ experience across a broad spectrum of industries, including: energy, real estate, banking and construction. He also has considerable expertise in business turnaround, risk management and corporate governance.

Joining Ausgrid from a large international construction group, Nigel previously spent seven years at Macquarie Group where he was involved in numerous high-value structured capital transactions across various sectors.  Nigel originally practised law at King & Wood Mallesons in Sydney and also spent several years working at Slaughter & May and Linklaters LLP in London.

Nigel is committed to helping Ausgrid deliver a more sustainable future and has a special interest in the identification and realisation of synergies between energy infrastructure and real estate, as well as other emerging opportunities in the energy sector.  Nigel is also passionate about helping develop highly engaged, innovative, high performing teams.  He is the Group Executive Sponsor of the Ausgrid First Nations Employee Resource Group and the Ausgrid Defence Force Alumni Group.

Nigel has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) from The University of Sydney and a Master of Commerce from The University of New South Wales.  He is a member of the AICD.  Nigel currently represents Ausgrid on the Defined Benefits Forum at CBUS Superannuation and was also previously the Ausgrid nominee on the Board of EISS Superannuation.

ROB AMPHLETT LEWIS - GROUP EXECUTIVE - DISTRIBUTED SERVICES & PLUS ES

Rob has 20 years’ experience in energy markets and utilities infrastructure in Australia and the United Kingdom. Rob joined Ausgrid in 2017 and was the Chief Customer Officer for four years, driving Ausgrid’s journey to customer centricity through improving customer outcomes.

Since August 2023 Rob has led distributed services and PLUS ES and is responsible for metering, infrastructure services and key commercial growth areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure and community batteries. 

His experience within the energy industry includes regulatory, commercial management, planning, business development and strategic accountabilities and a career in professional services, specialising as a mergers and acquisitions advisor within the energy, infrastructure and resources sectors. Before moving to Australia, Rob was an energy trader with TXU European Energy Trading based in the United Kingdom.

Rob holds Bachelor of Science Honours (Economics) from the University of Bath, United Kingdom and is currently a non-executive Director with the Energy and Water Ombudsman of NSW.

SAM SOFI - GROUP EXECUTIVE - SAFETY, DELIVERY & OPERATIONS

Sam is the Group Executive – Safety, Delivery & Operations. Sam’s team plays a major role in delivering an efficient, safe, and reliable network 24/7. This incorporates field operations, system control, operating and emergency response, contract delivery and overseeing occupational health & safety and critical control management. 

During his time at Ausgrid, Sam has also held positions including, Executive General Manager - Field Operations, General Manager - Technical Operations, General Manager - Asset Management and Operations and Director of Transformation. Sam’s 25+ years of industry experience has also included roles in Ausgrid’s External Projects, Customer Services, Field Operating, Transmission and System Control areas. 

Sam has an Electrical Engineering Degree, a Master in Engineering Management, a Master of Accounting and Finance and has completed the Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School. 

JUNAYD HOLLIS - GROUP EXECUTIVE - CUSTOMER, ASSETS & DIGITAL

Junayd has over 20 years' experience working with utilities across the globe on a range of issues spanning asset management, economic regulation, mergers and acquisitions, strategy and transformation. Junayd joined Ausgrid in December 2017 as the Head of Strategy where he worked with the Executive and Board to help shape and implement Ausgrid's longer term strategy and response to the current energy transition.

Since July 2019, Junayd has held various executive management roles responsible for balancing cost, risk and performance of Ausgrid's network in line with customer expectations.

Prior to joining Ausgrid in 2017, Junayd was a Director with Third Horizon Consulting, where he led their Energy and Infrastructure advisory practice working with clients across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Junayd holds a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Aeronautical Engineering) from The University of Sydney.

KELLY WOOD - GROUP EXECUTIVE - TRANSMISSION DEVELOPMENT & GROWTH

Kelly brings more than 25 years of business experience in engineering and operations management to this newly appointed role. 

Kelly has held a number of leadership positions domestically and globally including roles in business capture for large complex Private Public Partnerships (PPP) in the UK that she brings to this role that is seeking to expand the role Ausgrid can play in Australia’s net zero future. 

In her prior role at Ausgrid, Kelly was responsible for leading the Network Delivery Services Group, accountable for major projects, contract delivery, fleet and logistics, design management, major capital projects, facilities management and security operations. 

Kelly is passionate about Inclusion and Diversity, starting with gender, and holds a Master of Engineering Management, a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Hons) and an Associate Diploma of (Aeronautical) Engineering.
 

CELINA CROSS - GROUP EXECUTIVE - PEOPLE & CULTURE 

Celina brings more than 20 years’ experience across the breadth of Human Resources spanning various sectors including financial services, oil, retail, construction and not-for-profit. Prior to joining Ausgrid in 2023, Celina’s most recent roles were with Life Without Barriers and John Holland, following 13 years at Caltex where she worked in various roles within and outside of the HR function.

Celina is passionate about building strong authentic relationships and shaping purpose- aligned cultures which empower and energise people. Celina holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resources & Industrial Relations from Western Sydney University.

ALEX MCPHERSON - ACTING GROUP EXECUTIVE - MARKET DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGY

Alex is an experienced industry leader with expertise in corporate, stakeholder and regulatory strategy in the energy, gas and water sectors. Prior to joining Ausgrid, Alex’s most recent roles have involved leading energy policy, regulation and commercial strategy across Jemena, Energex and ActewAGL.

Alex is passionate about cultivating the perspectives of internal and external stakeholders and building trusted and lasting relationships throughout the community. Alex holds a Bachelors of Economics and Law from the Australian National University and a Master of Business in Applied Finance from QUT.