Meet the Team
Board of Directors
Dr Andrew Dicks
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew's extensive career spans both industry and academia, encompassing diverse energy projects with a focus on innovation and tackling emerging industry challenges. With 12 international patents to his name, his technological breakthroughs have found their way into commercial fuel cell systems. Andrew's journey began in the UK gas industry as a scientist before he relocated to Australia as a senior research fellow at the University of Queensland in 2002. In recent times, he has been a strong advocate for hydrogen's pivotal role in decarbonisation. Andrew's influence extends globally as he consults governments on energy research and aids numerous Australian startup ventures. In 2021, he assumed the role of convener for AHRN within CSIRO.
Dr Jessica Allen
Director
Dr. Allen, a senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle, is a chemical engineer and recipient of the NSW 2023 Young Tall Poppy Science Award. She specialises in hydrogen production, with a focus on green hydrogen from renewable sources. Her foundational Ph.D. research is complemented by projects in her group that create hydrogen and sustainable materials. She's also involved in carbon capture, decarbonisation of heavy industries, and essential materials like Iron and Aluminum. Dr. Allen is a dedicated advocate for women in STEM, particularly in leadership roles, recognised as a 'Superstar of STEM' in 2019. With industry experience as an environmental engineer, she actively shares insights on future energy technologies through national news, radio spots, technology explanations, podcasts, and online articles.
Professor Ken Baldwin
Director
Professor Ken Baldwin, the inaugural Director of the ANU Energy Change Institute (now part of the Institute for Climate, Energy, and Disaster Solutions), also served as the founding Director of the ANU Grand Challenge: Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific. His primary focus revolves around advancing the energy transition, especially in support of Australia's renewable energy-based export industries. Ken previously contributed as a member of the AHRN Steering Committee and chaired the first Australian Hydrogen Research Conference in 2023 in Canberra. He holds fellowships with the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE), the American Physical Society, the Institute of Physics (UK), the Optical Society of America, and the Australian Institute of Physics.
Matt Baumgurtel
Secretary to Board of Directors
Matt Baumgurtel is Partner New Energy Lead, Hamilton Locke, where he brings over 17 years of experience in the energy sector. with considerable expertise in project development, construction, financing, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions transactions. He specialises in legal advice throughout the energy and infrastructure lifecycle and acts for investors, developers, and constructors of hydrogen, solar, wind, thermal, electricity transmission, waste-to-energy, and energy storage projects in Australia and the APAC region. Matt leads Hamilton Locke’s New Energy Team. Before joining Hamilton Locke, Matt was a partner and co-lead of the energy, infrastructure, and resources group at K&L Gates. He was also previously the General Counsel of global solar developer and sponsor, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) for eight years. Before this, he worked for several leading global and national law firms, including Gilbert + Tobin and Clifford Chance.
Assoc. Professor Fiona Beck
Director
Fiona has 15+ years of experience innovating renewable energy and solar fuel tech, tackling global energy sector shifts. Her technical work, published in high-impact journals and cited over 3000 times, demonstrates her significant contributions to the national conversation on new, zero-carbon industries and exports. As the leader of a research group at ANU's School of Engineering, she spearheads the Hydrogen Fuels Project for ANU's Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific (ZCEAP) Research Initiative which aims to advance Australia's expertise in zero-emissions hydrogen exports. Her qualifications include an MSc in Physics from the University of Glasgow (2006) and a PhD in Engineering from ANU (2011). Notably, she's held prestigious international fellowships, such as the Marie Curie Fellowship (IIF, 2012) from the European Commission and a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA, 2018) from the Australian Research Council.
Dr Patrick Hartley
Board Chairman
Dr. Hartley leads CSIRO's Hydrogen Industry Mission, focusing on developing strategies and models to support Australia's hydrogen industries. In 2018, he collaborated with Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr. Alan Finkel, to establish the National Hydrogen Strategy, adopted by governments in 2019. Dr. Hartley also co-led CSIRO's National Hydrogen Roadmap. As a research scientist, he has overseen projects in drug delivery, energy storage, water treatment, and petroleum recovery. Holding senior research leadership roles at CSIRO since 2007, he is an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jeffrey Ng
Board Treasurer
Jeffrey Ng, an experienced company director, serves as the CEO and director of NITGenie Pty Ltd. Simultaneously, he is engaged with the University of Melbourne, focusing on intellectual property and startup ventures. Jeffrey's background includes involvement with various startup companies, notably in the hydrogen storage sector, such as Hydrexia. He holds a BSc in Physiology from the University of Otago and an MBA from Monash University. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, demonstrating his commitment to professional development and leadership in the corporate arena.
Tony Williams
Director
Tony, formerly a Company Director in Emerging Technologies and Principal Engineer at GPA in Queensland, now works as a part-time consultant for GPA Engineering. He possesses 34 years of experience in the Oil and Gas sector, 3 years in the hydrogen industry, and 3 years in the Aluminum field. He donned different hats as a Project Manager and Principal Process, Pipeline, and SCADA Engineer. Tony has conducted numerous concept, feasibility, and FEED studies. He has managed large EPCM projects and performed engineering design and operational reviews. His expertise extends to pipeline, compressor, and custody transfer meter station design for various applications, such as hydrogen, mineral processing, oil, gas, water, ammonia, and sulfuric acid pipelines and facilities. Tony has served as a company director at GPA Engineering Pty Ltd and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.