Changes to Horizon power board

PRESS RELEASE

Horizon Power welcomes the appointment of Stephen Edwell as the new chairman of Horizon Power and Kylie Chamberlain as a Non-Executive Director.

Energy Minister Ben Wyatt announced today that at the end of April, Mr Edwell would replace Ian Mickel AM who has served as Chair since 11 November 2014 and Ms Chamberlain, who replaces Professor Jeanette Hacket AM.

Horizon Power Managing Director Frank Tudor said Mr Edwell is well respected in the energy industry in Western Australia and he looked forward to working with Ms Chamberlain.

He said he wanted to pay a special tribute to Mr Mickel and Professor Hacket who had made a major contribution to the business during its most transformational phase.

Mr Mickel first joined Horizon Power as a Non-executive Director on 1 May 2011.

“Ian was instrumental in guiding our strategic direction which culminated in the achievement of a reduction in our subsidy from government of $100 million a year 16 months ahead of schedule,” Mr Tudor said.

“He was also on the ground actively supporting Horizon Power and his community when the Esperance bushfires devastated the region in 2015, claiming lives, property and livestock.

“He championed our focus on innovation which included the rapid deployment of the first utility-grade stand alone power systems in Esperance at the properties of customers at the end of long spur lines which were burned down in the fires.

“The installation of advanced meters across our network, which is allowing the innovation we currently deliver customers in the form of new payment plans and energy efficiency apps, was another significant achievement.”

A highlight for Mr Mickel was when he attended the graduation ceremony of our four Remote Community Utilities Workers (RCUWs) in Broome last year. The RCUW trade was developed by Horizon Power to improve reliability and provide job opportunities in remote communities and has been registered nationally.

Jeanette Hacket, the former Vice Chancellor of Curtin University, was appointed to the Board in October 2016.

“Her talent for building and utilising collaborative relationships was invaluable in helping us develop and implement new and refined products such as MyPower and Smart Sun. She was instrumental at the Audit and Risk Management Committee and Board in ensuring our governance framework remains strong and has been an advocate for ensuring the Board maintains a professional approach to its work.

“I would like to thank Ian and Jeanette for all their hard work on the board of Horizon Power and I’m looking forward to working with the new board members,” Mr Tudor said.

With over 30 years working in and for the public sector, Mr Edwell brings a wealth of experience specialising in market design, regulation and economic and utility reform projects.

Appointed as the inaugural full time Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, Mr Edwell has a strong background developing and implementing electricity market reforms.

Ms Chamberlain has over 20 years of executive experience in banking and finance, with a broad exposure to a wide variety of businesses and market cycles.

Both appointments will commence on 30 April 2018.

Fact file

• Ian Mickel served as President of the Esperance Shire Council from 1994-2001 and 2003-2010. He was awarded the Local Government Medal in 2005 for his outstanding achievement, dedication and contribution to Local Government and to the WA Local Government Association.
• Mr Mickel was also awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day 2007 Honours list for his service to local government and the WA Local Government Association.
• Previously Curtin University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Hacket has served on a number of community boards, including as a council member of the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chair of the Australian Technology Network group of universities. She is a member of Chief Executive Women and holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in law and a doctorate in management.
• Professor Hacket has a strong interest in the development of community partnerships in education and research, as well as international education. In 2012 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to education and was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin University in 2013