With extensive experience in the energy sector, the AGIG executive team is well placed to lead us to achieving our vision.

Craig de Laine

Chief Executive Officer

Craig joined the business in 2005 and became Chief Executive Officer of the AGIG entities in November 2021. Craig is an experienced executive and, prior to being appointed CEO, had responsibility for a broad range of key corporate functions, including business strategy, our low carbon strategy and transition, hydrogen growth and development, ESG, corporate affairs, media, communications, regulation, customer service and business development, community engagement, risk and compliance and people and culture. He brings over 20 years of industry experience and is currently a Director of Energy Networks Australia and is Chair of their Gas Committee. Craig holds a Master of Economics.

Mark Beech

Executive General Manager, Network Operations

Mark has operational responsibility for our gas distribution networks, the largest across Australia, ensuring the safe and reliable supply of natural gas to more than two million customers every day. Mark oversees the full life cycle of distribution network asset management, from commissioning through to the daily operational management of the distribution networks. Backed with more than 30 years of experience in utility operations, Mark has a well-deserved reputation as a technical leader in the Australian energy industry. Mark holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering together with a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Management.

Johanna Birgersson

Executive General Manager, People, Safety & Culture

With people spanning four states and six offices, Johanna leads the national workforce strategy and management. Joh is responsible for all key people functions at AGIG, including People and Culture, Health and Safety, and Training and Development as well as Property. As a forward-thinking leader, Joh has significant experience in complex industrial environments, and recently joined AGIG following eight years in an Executive General Management Human Resources role. Johanna has a Bachelor of Arts, holds Post Graduate qualifications in Human Resource Management from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jon Cleary

Executive General Manager, Commercial

Jon Cleary is responsible for AGIG’s corporate development, contracts & procurement, and commercial operation functions. Jon has over 30 years’ experience in senior commercial positions across the energy sector, covering upstream oil and gas development, corporate planning and strategy, economics, mergers and acquisitions and the management and operation of energy infrastructure and production. Jon joined AGIG in 2014 and has previously held several leadership positions for QGC (BG Group) and Woodside. He has a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Science (Minerals and Energy Economics).

Paul May

Chief Financial Officer

Paul brings over 25 years’ experience in corporate financial and management roles including extensive experience in ASX-listed companies. He has been CFO of AGIG entities since 2014. Prior to this, he was Group Manager, Finance and Risk of Envestra Ltd since 2009. Paul oversees all aspects of financial and technology operations and strategy for our portfolio of companies to ensure the business continues to be sustainably cost efficient and effective. He is responsible for the accounting, treasury, tax, capital management, insurance and information technology functions across the group. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Cathryn McArthur

Executive General Manager, Customer and Strategy

Cathryn manages a wide portfolio of AGIG’s external-facing functions, with a particular focus on leading the business through the energy transition. She leads business strategy, as well as sustainability, customer engagement, corporate affairs, business development, marketing and our industry-leading work in hydrogen development. Cathryn joined the business in 2022, following 20 years in the telecommunications industry across various roles spanning the public and private sector. Cathryn’s extensive experience in navigating through sector transitions is extremely valuable to AGIG as we do the same. Cathryn holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts and has also completed the Stanford Executive Program at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Tawake Rakai

Executive General Manager, Transmission Asset Management

Strategic asset management for the gas transmission system including the midstream and storage as well as the emerging hydrogen production facilities. He leads the critical imperative of maintaining asset safety (the Process Safety programs of the transmission system) and integrity. Applying modern engineering practices, Tawake leads the design, construction, and the transitioning of these assets for operational readiness with Transmission Operations and Commercial. Tawake has extensive operations, maintenance, and project experience with more than 40 years in the gas industry. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Western Australia.

James Smith

Executive General Manager, Transmission Operations

James leads the safe and reliable operations of our transmission, midstream processing & storage, and hydrogen production assets. Committed on achieving a zero-harm future, James motivates our operations teams and optimises operations & maintenance activities across AGIG Australian assets. A passionate advocate in the pipeline industry, James supports research, development, and the sharing of lessons learned. With over 35 years of experience spanning fieldwork, supervisory, management, executive and director roles in the gas industry, he holds trade qualifications, an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute Company Directors.

Roxanne Smith

Executive General Manager, Corporate and Regulation

Roxanne Smith is responsible for Legal and Company Secretary, the Regulatory and Economics functions, as well as Compliance and Assurance and Risk. Prior to joining AGIG in October 2019, she spent 20 years as a private practice lawyer advising clients in the infrastructure, utility and natural resources sectors, with a focus on regulation. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting).