- Michelle Shepherd appointed as new Chair of the Synergy board
- Yasmin Broughton appointed as new Deputy Chair
- Denise McComish joins the Synergy board
Energy Minister Bill Johnston today announced a suite of new appointments to the Synergy board, including the appointment of Michelle Shepherd as Chair.
Ms Shepherd has over 20 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors of Australia’s electricity, gas and energy markets, including as Commissioner of the Australian Energy Market Commission. Ms Shepherd recently delivered the Independent Review into Western Power over the 2021 Christmas outages.
The appointment means all three Government Trading Enterprises across the Western Australian energy sector are now chaired by women.
Current Synergy board member, Yasmin Broughton, has been appointed as Deputy Chair. Ms Broughton is a corporate lawyer with significant experience working as both a director and senior executive in a diverse range of industries, including electricity and gas, and has served on the Synergy board since 2017.
Minister Johnston expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the service of resigning Chair Robert Cole, who served in the role for more than five years and leaves to take up his new role as Chair of Perth Airport. Minister Johnston also recognised the contribution of Deputy Chair of more than seven years, Kim Horne. Mr Horne served on Synergy’s board for almost nine years.
Minister Johnston also welcomed the appointment of Denise McComish as a non-executive director of Synergy. Ms McComish is a former partner of KPMG and an experienced non-executive director.
Ms McComish joins Peter Clough, who has been reappointed for a three-year term, Rob Bransby and Richard Watson as non-executive directors.
As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
“Congratulations to Michelle Shepherd and Yasmin Broughton on their appointments as Chair and Deputy Chair of Synergy, Western Australia’s largest electricity generator and retailer to more than one million residential and small business customers.
“I am confident that today’s appointments will support Synergy as it delivers on the replacement of State-owned coal fired power stations, makes massive reductions
to its carbon emissions and continues to provide innovative solutions and support to its customers.
“The appointments highlight that there are highly talented women in the workforce that are eminently-qualified for senior leadership positions within big, complex organisations that seek to engage them.
“I would like to thank Robert Cole for his time as Chair and Kim Horne as Deputy Chair, and for their stewardship of the organisation over many years.”
