Ben has over 20 years of experience across corporate advisory, legal advisory, commercial transactions and deal structuring in a variety of industry sectors, including renewable energy, commercial property, sustainable finance and environmental markets. He leads the Kilara Growth Fund deal team and is responsible for overall management and strategy across the Kilara Group.
Ben sits on the Kilara Growth Fund Investment Committee as an executive member.
Dougal is the Chief Investment Officer for the Kilara Growth Fund, responsible for investment origination, structuring and execution. Dougal also sits on the Kilara Growth Fund Investment Committee as an executive member.
Over the past 15 years, Dougal has worked across a wide range of industries and sectors including financial services, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture and transport and logistics. Dougal’s combination of corporate advisory and hands-on management experience provides unique commercial and strategic advantages for our investee companies.
Current and previous Board appointments include the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, GreenSync, Wattwatchers and the South Australian AgTech Advisory Committee.
Emma has over 20 years’ experience in finance across portfolio management, fixed income and impact investing. She is considered a climate pioneer and has led a number of domestic and global innovations across the clean energy transition, ESG investing, carbon finance and emissions trading. Initially working in investment banking, she also has entrepreneurial experience working directly in and with start-ups and early-stage ventures and has successfully established partnerships to accelerate innovation and product development. Emma was originally in investment banking.
Jodi has 20 years’ experience as a researcher, strategist, and advisor across aspects of social impact —funding, sustainable business models, strategic impact management and effective impact communication. She is responsible for the design and implementation of impact strategy and management across the Kilara Group and works closely with investee companies to help them develop their impact management capacities. Jodi has a PhD in Sociology from the University of California - Berkeley and actively contributes to developing the field of impact management through her writing, research, and teaching at the University of Melbourne.
Andrew is an energy industry executive who since 2007 has been at the forefront of the development of the renewable energy industry in Australia. With an international career spanning over 25 years, he has deep skills and experience in leadership, corporate governance, development and execution of commercial strategy, project development, delivery and operations and in stakeholder management.
Irina has over 15 years' experience in financial analysis, business reviews, forecasting, valuations, research and strategy development having worked in the USA, Europe, Australia and South-East Asia. Her experience spans a range of industries, including technology, resources, energy, renewable energy, agriculture and consumer leisure.
KGF is pleased to announce Jonathan Whitehouse has joined the KGF team in the role of Head of Finance. Jonathan has over 25 years of experience in venture capital/private equity fund management. For the past 15 years he has been the CFO for three Australian Venture Capital Managers, CM Capital, Talu Ventures and Southern Cross Venture Partners. Prior to his relocation to Australia, Jonathan was the Finance/Investment Director at Bowmark Capital, a leading UK private equity manager. Jonathan brings extensive knowledge of fund and investment structuring in Australia, Europe and the U.S. and vast experience of fund financial management. Jonathan is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Jonathan significantly enhances KGF’s private capital governance and compliance capabilities.
Ian is a renewable energy project development and construction professional. He has held senior positions within renewable and conventional energy companies in the UK, Australia, Asia and Africa. He has over 20 years’ experience of working with international, multi-disciplinary teams from project origination to operations, focussing on wind, hydro, solar, biomass, waste to energy technologies.
Maria is an engineer who began her career 20 years ago in the petrochemical and industrial gases sectors. Since joining the renewable energy industry, she has held board level roles at technical
consultancies both in Europe and Australia. Maria has supported the development and financing of many gigawatts of wind and solar projects globally and is inspired by the investment opportunities
the renewable energy sector offers, while simultaneously benefitting people and planet.
Zach is an engineer with over 10 years’ experience in utility-scale wind, solar and storage project development both in Australia and worldwide. Zach's experience also includes development of behind-the-meter assets, virtual power plants (VPPs) and demand response solutions in the commercial and industrial sectors. Passionate about driving sustainable development, he continues to leverage his broad skillset and experience to advance the clean energy sector and our energy transition.
Tracie has 20+ years' experience working as an Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant across various industries including aged care, agribusiness, property (valuation and advisory) and the Victorian Government (Valuer-General). As the Executive Assistant, Tracie is responsible for providing high level support to the Managing Director including day to day support, diary management, middle office management, governance matters as well as assistance with stakeholder management and investor relations.
Phil’s an Agronomist who has worked with farmers and rural communities across Australia. His extensive knowledge of agricultural production systems includes project management in the Pacific and China. His commitment to the Australian renewable energy industry began in 2008 when he started working with farmers to develop projects. His objective is to establish strong relationships between the landholder and development company that are transparent and mutually beneficial.
Andy is a private investor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, agricultural real assets and water markets in Australia, Asia, Europe, US and Canada. He serves as a director of Impact Agriculture, is a member of the AFSL compliance committee and has responsibility for strategic investor relations and development of international markets.
Steven has extensive finance industry experience over 30 years in Life Insurance, Asset Management, Custodial Services and Superannuation, the last 20 years in Compliance. He has been a director of one of Australia’s leading asset management companies, is a director of an asset manager and accounting firm, chairs Compliance Committees for leading asset managers and continues to be a responsible manager for a number of asset management companies.
Stephanie is CEO of Horizon Power. Horizon Power is transforming the WA regional energy landscape in an increasingly decentralised delivery model to more than 48,000 connections across 32 microgrids. Stephanie is a recognised energy industry leader and a Board Member of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, a member of the CSIRO Energy Advisory Group and a Senate member of Murdoch University. Stephanie brings a depth of experience in large scale and remote renewables, battery storage technology transformation and information technology.
Ivor is an expert and innovator in the rapidly evolving industry. He served as inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and oversaw its $2.1 billion portfolio for 6 years. During this time ARENA invested in more than 300 clean energy projects and managed a 100+ opportunity pipeline. Previously, Ivor was a clean energy investor in both Australia and Silicon Valley, and CEO of a number of innovative growth companies. He currently serves on boards and is advisor to organisations focused on navigating the energy transition. Ivor holds a Stanford MBA and degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney.
Cassy began her career as a lawyer though she has spent most of her career as owner/operator of her family offices; LJCB Investment Group and 5 Pillars Capital. Cassy is passionate about impact investment and using her financial resources to benefit our community and our environment whilst also working within and towards traditional financial return metrics.
Brad has an extensive history working with primary producers in a wide range of roles across northern and eastern Australia. He has managed and led field and technical teams and their interactions with landowners in a range of agricultural settings. Brad has a deep understanding and experience of the keys to successful engagement, negotiation and relationship building with Australian farmers and joined Kilara to further his interest in and passion for the clean energy transition.
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