The Albanese Government has revealed the National Reconstruction Fund board to help distribute some of the $15 billion investment in Australian manufacturing in seven priority investment areas including transport, renewables and low emissions technology.
With expertise drawn from across different corners of the country, the independent board will ensure the NRF is a truly national fund with a national focus, say ministers Ed Husic and Katy Gallagher.
“These appointments are an important step in implementing the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda,” says Gallagher.
Husic adds: “With these appointments, the ball is now rolling for the NRF.”
The members.
Chair Martijn Wilder has more than 20 years’ experience as a leader in sustainable finance and climate change policy. He is the founder and chief executive of Pollination and has previously held high-profile positions including Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) board chair, Clean Energy Finance Corporation founding director, Climate Council director, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership chair and governing board member, and Low Carbon Australia chair.
“I’m honoured to be asked to chair the NRF board and begin the critical work of rebuilding our industrial capabilities and driving innovation,” says Wilder.
Ahmed Fahour is Invest Victoria chair. Throughout his 30-year career he has served in senior executive and board roles across banking and financial services, management consulting and postal services, including as managing director and chief executive of Australia Post, Latitude Financial, NAB Australia and Citigroup Alternative Investments. Fahour has also supported and served on the board of not-for-profit and community organisations.
Dr Katharine Giles is the chief executive and managing director of OncoRes Medical in Western Australia, a venture partner at Brandon Capital Partners, a non-executive director of Sonic Healthcare and a member of the Curtin University Commercialisation advisory board.
Kelly O’Dwyer is a non-executive director of Barrenjoey, Equity Trustees, and HMC Capital. She previously served as a member of the Australian Parliament for more than nine years and held various senior economic portfolios including minister for jobs and industrial relations and minister for revenue and financial services.
Daniel Petre is a technology industry executive, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist with a broad range of non-executive director experience. He is a co-founder and partner emeritus of AirTree, the chair of Vera Living, and a director of MetaOptima Technology Inc. Petre is also an adjunct professor at UNSW and a member of the UNSW Centre for Social Impact’s advisory council.
Kathryn Presser brings significant risk and governance expertise to the NRF board, as well as finance and industry expertise. She is the chair of the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance’s Risk and Performance Committee and also holds several non-executive director positions, including for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the Police Credit Union SA and NT, and Funds SA.
Karen Smith-Pomeroy chairs the Regional Investment Corporation and the National Affordable Housing Consortium, and is a non-executive director of Kina Securities, Stanwell Corporation, and Queensland Treasury Corporation Capital Markets Board.
Daniel Walton is a respected director and former senior union official with extensive professional expertise across workplace relations, manufacturing and the minerals and energy sectors. He’s a director of AustralianSuper, has been co-chair of the NSW Renewable Energy Sector Board, a member of the Commonwealth Agricultural Working Group and NSW State Government Minerals Industry advisory council. His position as secretary of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) ended in July.
