Board

The ARENA board sets the investment strategies and priorities, oversees the running of our agency, and approves funding for projects up to $50 million.

Appointed members have experience and knowledge in either renewable energy, technology, commercialisation, business investment or corporate governance. This ensures expert administration of funds available.

The ARENA Board also has oversight of two committees including:

1. The Risk and Audit Committee: Download the Charter (PDF 700KB)
2. The People and Culture Committee.

Mr Justin Punch, Chair / Non-executive member

Justin Punch is an experienced environmental investor focussed on decarbonisation and conservation, with a 30-year career in private equity, line management and management consulting. He is a co-founder of Assembly Climate Capital, a Director of Tasman Environmental Markets and a co-founder of biodiversity offset provider Meridolum. He was previously a Partner at Archer Capital, where he led investments across a diverse range of sectors, and has extensive experience in the management of operating businesses as well as consulting experience with the Boston Consulting Group.

Justin serves as the Chairman of the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust. The Trust supports the work of Indigenous ranger groups in Arnhem Land on projects including assisting with landscape- scale carbon abatement programmes, conserving endangered landscapes and species, conserving Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage and improving education outcomes.

Justin holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of NSW and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Mr John Hirjee

John Hirjee is an experienced company research analyst, banker and senior adviser, specialising in Australasian energy and utility industries and companies. He is currently Executive Director, Resources, Energy and Infrastructure at ANZ Banking Group.

John has a significant track record with high level achievements in equity research, analysing the development of company strategies and financial metrics. John’s career has included working with key stakeholders across private and public institutions, and the fostering of strong links with senior executives, professionals and government officials.

John has a Bachelor of Engineering specialising in Chemical Engineering from Monash University.

Ms Anna Matysek

Anna Matysek is an economist and strategy specialist in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors, and is currently the Managing Director of Northbridge Consulting Services. Anna was previously an executive at Rio Tinto and TransGrid, has worked in various consulting firms and government agencies including the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Productivity Commission. She has been a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and is a Council Member of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Anna holds a Master of Environment from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Tasmania.

Mr Justin Butcher

Justin Butcher is an entrepreneur and business investor. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of MXA Consulting, a successful, start-up technology consulting firm. He is an experienced business mentor providing advice on corporate governance, strategy, business models and leadership to start-ups and other businesses.

Ms Stephanie Unwin

Stephanie Unwin is Chief Executive of Horizon Power. She has held a range of senior positions in the energy and resources industries, including General Manager Commercial at Synergy and General Counsel at Verge Energy. She was also the Chief Executive Officer of Phylogica, an Australian biomedical company.

Mr Stephen McIntosh

Stephen McIntosh is a geophysicist by training. He retired from Rio Tinto at the end of 2020 after more than 33 years’ service with the group. In his role as Group Executive Growth & Innovation he had the direct accountability for most of Rio Tinto’s global technical functions including exploration, studies, construction, technical services, Information Technology, data science, robotics & automation, R&D, asset closure and for the last year he also led the global health, safety, environment, and security function.

Stephen has deep experience across the minerals and metals sector covering a diverse range of projects in more than 45 countries. Stephen was accountable for Rio Tinto’s in-house technical and R&D experts including areas such as mineral processing, energy projects and latterly climate change.

Ms Jo Evans, Ex-officio member

Jo Evans is a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and delegate for the Secretary. Jo is responsible for Climate Change and Energy Innovation, and leads the rollout of the government’s climate change policy as well as supporting energy innovation (including hydrogen, offshore wind and electric vehicles).

Jo has worked in a number of portfolios including the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of the Environment and Energy. Prior to joining the Australian Public Service in 2000, Jo worked for management consultants McKinsey & Company.

Jo has a Masters of Public Policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University; a Masters in Environmental Science from the University of Melbourne; and a combined bachelor degree in Asian Studies and Economics (Honours) from the Australian National University.

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