The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has a broad range of experience in early-stage technology companies and the energy industry, combined with relevant financial and commercial expertise.
Jeffrey Harding - Chairman
Mr Harding has extensive experience in the renewable energy sector. From 1995 to 2005 Mr Harding was Managing Director of Pacific Hydro Limited, Australia's largest renewable energy developer with wind and hydro energy projects in Australia, Asia and Chile. During his tenure, Mr Harding oversaw the international expansion of the business with growth in market capitalization from A$5 million to over A$750 million and an increase in profit after tax each year from 1996 to 2005, when Pacific Hydro was sold to IFM Renewable Energy. Mr Harding has Degrees in Civil Engineering, Economics, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He resides in both Europe and Australia and is also a non-executive director of the ASX listed Carnegie Wave Energy Limited.
Brendan Dow - Managing Director
Mr. Dow was appointed CEO in June 2005 and subsequently joined the Board as Managing Director in January 2007. Mr. Dow is responsible for the development and execution of the Company's strategic plan, accelerating the commercialisation of the Company's technology, as well as daily business operations. Prior to joining CFCL, Mr. Dow spent almost 10 years as Managing Director of the Australian subsidiary of two German global electrical component manufacturers. He was responsible for operations across Australia and New Zealand, as well as establishing and managing Greenfield manufacturing operations in Malaysia and sales and marketing activities across South East Asia. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Dow was a Regional Manager within a multi-national electric equipment company, and from 1989 to 1992 worked as Production Manager in London for a multinational in the fast moving consumer goods industry. Mr. Dow completed his undergraduate degree at Swinburne University Australia in Manufacturing Engineering (Honors) and completed an MBA at Mt Eliza Business School (University of Melbourne).
John Dempsey - Non-Executive Director
Mr Dempsey has been a qualified Accountant since 1974 and has worked in public practice, commerce and the Queensland rural sector in various positions. Previous appointments have included deputy Mayor of the City of Cairns, member of the Queensland Sugar Industry Tribunal, and Director/Partner in a public accountancy practice in Cairns. Until recently Mr Dempsey conducted a public accountancy practice in Brisbane. Mr Dempsey is Chairman of Queensland energy utility Energex Limited and is also Chairman of Allconnex Water. Mr Dempsey has been a director of the Company since 1 June 2002.
Robert Kennett - Non-Executive Director
Mr Robert (Bob) Kennett is CFCL's first Non-Executive Director based in the United Kingdom. His appointment is consistent with CFCL's focus on the European market and follows CFCL's listing on the London Stock Exchange AIM market in March 2006. Mr Kennett has spent his career in the energy sector, focusing on Combined Heat and Power and renewables. He was Managing Director of Powergen Combined Heat and Power Ltd for 12 years and Chairman of PowerGen Renewables Ltd. Mr Kennett is currently a consultant advising financiers and investors on business opportunities in the UK Combined Heat and Power and Renewable Energy markets. He is also on a Panel of Independent Assessors for DTI Energy Programmes, and a board member for the Power Industries division of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Dr Peter Binks - Non-Executive Director
Dr Binks has had a successful career with McKinsey & Company, BHP, Telstra and Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd. He was previously CEO of NanoVentures Australia Ltd, a company set up to attract funding and commercialise outcomes from Nanotechnology Victoria. As of 1st September 2009, Dr Binks took up the role of CEO at the General Sir John Monash Foundation (not-for-profit organisation providing postgraduate scholarships to Australians). After completing a science degree at the University of Tasmania (Hons) majoring in Physics, Dr Binks attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He completed his doctoral thesis in Theoretical Physics. Dr Binks' current directorships or partnersips are: Director and CEO of Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd; Director and CEO NanoVentures Australia; Director of NanoVic Commercial; Director Quintain NanoSystems; Director NanoVic IP Holdings. Dr Binks joined the Board in May 2009.
Roy Rose - Non-Executive Director
Mr Rose has 30 years' experience in the paint, chemicals, fertiliser and medical products industries and brings to Ceramic Fuel Cells strong skills in technology and innovation, including experience commercialising and manufacturing innovative technologies. Mr Rose has held non-executive directorships of Incitec Limited, CRC for Environmental Biotechnology and Qenos Pty Ltd. Mr Rose has also held senior management positions at Orica Australia. Mr Rose is currently chairman of CSIRO's Future Manufacturing Flagship Advisory Committee.
Mr Rose has a B.Sc with a major in chemistry from Monash University and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr Rose joined the Board in July 2009.
Andrew Neilson - Company Secretary
Mr Neilson is also CFCL's Group General Manager - Commercial - see Management Team page for details.