John Fenwick

Chairman of Board

BA, MBA, GAICD

John joined the Board in 2022.  John was a member of the Australia Army for over 33 years, having recently retired in 2021.  John’s most recent role prior to retirement from the Army was as Director General Army Aviation where he was responsible for the management and development of the Army’s aviation personnel, airworthiness systems and fleet of aircraft. John has extensive skills and experience in aviation, leadership, governance and risk.

Alan Ross Taggart

B.COMM, FCPA

Ross chairs the Finance Committee, and is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee, the Strategy Committee and the Nominations, Remuneration & Governance Committee. Ross is a local accountant and Director of Hamilton Taggart Business Advisors. Ross has been a partner of a Newcastle based accountancy practice for 36 years.  Ross joined the Board in 2010, is a Life Member of Merewether SLSC and a very active supporter of many local business and community initiatives.

Katie Brassil

GAICD

Katie joined the Board in 2011, is the Chair of the Company’s Marketing Committee and is a member of the Nominations, Remuneration and Governance Committee and the Strategy Committee. At the end of 2021, after 15 years, Katie finished as a senior executive in the mining industry. Katie has extensive experience in the private sector and all three tiers of government, including over 20 years in elected and governance positions. She has demonstrated leadership and specialist skills in economic development, strategic planning and management, stakeholder engagement and consultations and public and government relations.

Peter Duncan

AM – IP, FIPAA, MAICD, COMPLEA

Peter joined the Board in 2017.  He is the Chairman of the Northern Regional Advisory Committee and is also a member of the Strategy Committee.  Peter has a strong record of achievement in a number of fields, including infrastructure, transport, forestry and resource management. He held several senior executive positions during his 40 years in the NSW public service, including as Chief Executive of Roads and Maritime Services.  Peter is an experienced designer, project manager and consultant on major projects.

Nat McGregor

B.COMM, CPA, MBA, DIP FINANCIAL SERVICES, GAICD

Nat joined the Board in May 2017. He is the Chief Operating Officer of the Garvan Institute and prior to that was the Chief Operating Officer of the University of Newcastle. In these roles he has overall organisational responsibilities for the following functions: finance and commercial services’ governance, legal, risk, audit and compliance; infrastructure and facilities services; IT services; strategy planning and performance; business development and innovation; people and culture and human resource management. Nat holds a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Newcastle), is CPA qualified, an MBA from Deakin University and is an alumni of both INSEAD and Columbia University business schools.

John Davis BA LLB

BA LLB

John was appointed as Chairman of the Board on 31 May 2017. He has been a Director since 2015. He also chairs the Nominations Remuneration and Governance Committee and the Strategy Committee and is a member of the Marketing Committee, Finance Committee and Audit and Risk Committee. John was a Partner of Sparke Helmore Lawyers from 1978 until his retirement in 2012, and was the firm’s National Managing Partner (CEO) from 2004 to 2009, providing advice to government and private organisations in fields including procurement and contracting; planning and environmental services; and commercial property.

Shane Thompson

Shane joined the Board in 2019 and is also a member of the Finance Committee.  Shane started working in the mining industry in 1977, and has worked at Wambo Underground, Camberwell Open-Cut and CHPP mines up to 2010. During this time Shane was elected to the CFMEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy District Board of Management. He is the current Northern District Secretary for the MEU.