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 currently a director of the AIM listed Renewable Energy Holdings Plc.
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. Mr Dempsey is presently an Owner/Principal of an accountancy practice in Brisbane and has been a Board Member of Energex Limited since 1999. Mr Dempsey has been a director of the Company since 1 June 2002 as a representative of Energex Limited
David Carruthers - Non-Executive Director
Mr. Carruthers contributes knowledge and experience of global foreign exchange exposure, risk management, debt management, investor relations and mergers and acquisitions attained while working with international energy company BP in London and Brussels. Mr. Carruthers has also worked in government heading up major debt and liability programmes, which included the management of the proceeds from some A$29 billion of privatisations. After providing advisory services in financial risk management to clients in the Asia-Pacific region, he is currently Head of Corporate Finance, Tristar Corporate Advisors and Chief Financial Officer, Olympus Funds Management. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chairman for Genetic Technologies Ltd and as a Non-Executive Director for India Equities Fund Limited, both ASX-listed companies. Mr Carruthers has been a Director of the Company since 1 September 2004.
Professor Michael Dureau - Non-Executive Director
Professor Dureau has a proven track record as a successful CEO in the power industry. His career has spanned design, project management, production management, sales and marketing, supply management and logistics, quality and risk management and general management of international companies in the water, power and process industries. After retiring as CEO of ALSTOM Power in 2003, he has taken up the position of Executive Director of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, a leading Australian engineering industry body. Professor Dureau is the inaugural Chairman of the Australian Power Institute Ltd, and has served on boards of several companies and NGO and not-for-profit bodies in the engineering and power industries. Professor Dureau has been a director of the Company since 8 December 2005.
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.
Andrew Neilson - Company Secretary
Mr Neilson is also CFCL's Legal and Commercial Manager - see Management Team page for details.