Meet the team

Our team has the experience, depth of insight and technical expertise required to change the renewable energy market in Australia.

ROB ASHDOWN

Co-founder and Managing Director

Rob specialises in understanding project development, equity investment and risk transfer for the energy sector, as well as financial institutions and utilities within the infrastructure sector.

He has over 15 years’ experience in Australia, Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Europe with Swiss RE, PWC, World Bank Group, the Australian Federal Government, IPPs, Tata Power, and a corporate finance house.

Rob’s core experience is in climate change, renewables (wind, solar, hydro and biomass) and non-renewable energy assets (coal, gas and hydro) and portfolios. He has successfully tackled key strategic projects and built businesses.

NICK BARNSDALL

Chairman

Nick has extensive global and senior executive experience, with a deep and successful history of building businesses.

From 2006 to 2015 he served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Construction Equipment Australia, and currently serves as either Chairman or Non-executive Director of 11 companies across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Nick’s experience spans many industries, including civil construction and infrastructure projects, mining and resource extraction, finance and technology.

JAMES DEAN

Adviser to the Board

With more than 30 years’ experience in the finance industry – 25 as a direct professional investor in environmental projects – James uses his wealth of knowledge and expertise to counsel corporations and business owners around the world.

Recognised for his proficiency in mining, construction equipment, property development, feature films and biotech, James is especially sought after in evaluating, negotiating and matching stakeholders’ decision-making to desired outcomes.

ANDREW BRUTON

Chief Executive Officer

An experienced CEO, company director and corporate adviser, Andrew has spent over 20 years advancing complex energy and resources projects and transactions in Australia and further afield.

Prior to moving into the corporate sphere, he was a recognised specialist energy and resources lawyer and partner in some of Australia’s largest national law firms.

A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Laws. He was also the CEO of a listed ASX/TSXV company and the Australian Managing Director for a company involved in the development of large-scale solar projects.

JASON WEST

Senior Quantitative Analyst

Jason is a quantitative researcher with 20 years’ experience in energy markets, fixed income, derivatives and investment portfolios.

He has held senior quantitative analysis and risk executive roles across a range of organisations including BHP Billiton, Commonwealth Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, KPMG and Suncorp.

Jason holds a PhD in quantitative finance along with degrees in science, statistics and engineering, and is also a CPA, CIMA and Professional Risk Manager (PRMIA).

PAUL VAZEY

Financial Controller

Paul is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years’ experience in the Asia Pacific and East Coast energy markets with Alinta and Shell, in a range of finance, commercial and trading roles, including setting up the electrical infrastructure supporting the QGC gas fields and supporting Shell’s re-entry into Australia’s electricity market.

With specialisation in gas, LNG and renewable energy, he was most recently responsible for developing the energy transition strategy for Ampcontrol as they diversify from coal into servicing renewable energy projects and network service providers