Chairman Ian Mutton said the board was delighted to welcome Dr Simon to the association and looked forward to working with her to continue to progress Australia’s emerging hydrogen sector.
Recently a Principal Consultant with ACIL Allen Consulting, Dr Simon has previously worked with energy regulators and businesses, including leading the ERM Power regulatory affairs function. She also has extensive experience engaging with industry associations, where she has represented the Australian Energy Council and the Energy Retailers Association of Australia in discussions with federal and state governments.
Dr Simon’s policy and regulatory experience across the energy sector has covered areas including retail consumer protections and market competition, electric vehicles and energy security. She has also written a well-regarded academic book on energy retail policy and regulation.
“I believe Fiona is an excellent fit for the CEO role, with an outstanding mix of experience, skills and character to continue to increase the effectiveness of the association as the Australian hydrogen sector advocate,” Mr Mutton said.
Reflecting on her appointment, Dr Simon said: “I am honoured and excited to have been selected to lead the association at a time where hydrogen is being recognised as central to the energy transition, both in Australia and globally.
“I look forward to engaging with stakeholders from all sectors on the opportunity for a hydrogen future for our country,” Dr Simon said.
Dr Simon will replace Claire Johnson who has been CEO of Hydrogen Mobility Australia since January 2018 and has overseen a period of significant growth of the organisation, from inception to the widely recognised hydrogen advocate it is today.
Mr Mutton said Ms Johnson’s passion and commitment to the hydrogen sector has been a key driver in shaping the association into the respected industry body it is today.
“Claire’s leadership of Hydrogen Mobility Australia has seen the association grow into a highly dynamic and effective organisation, underpinned by a tripling of its membership base in less than 12 months.
“The board sincerely thanks Claire for her contribution to the association and we are pleased to see she will remain in the hydrogen sector, launching a startup in the space,” Mr Mutton said.
Hydrogen Mobility Australia was established to accelerate the commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across the entire hydrogen value chain for the purposes of decarbonisation, energy security, jobs, investment and innovation.
Through a collaborative forum made up of industry and government representatives, the association is working to realise its vision of a hydrogen society for Australia.
Significant developments are being seen in the adoption of hydrogen both locally and worldwide, most notably in Australia through COAG’s commitment to develop an Australian National Hydrogen Strategy, which is expected to be finalised in December 2019.
