The Federal Government has unveiled the members of the board for the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, Australia’s largest investment to boost the nation’s manufacturing capacity.
The board will be led by Martijn Wilder, the founder and CEO of Pollination. He has over 20 years of experience as a leader in sustainable finance and climate change policy.
Wilder is a former chairman of the Board of Australian Renewable Energy Agency, the founding director of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and a previous director of the Climate Council.
The independent board also includes Invest Victoria Chairman Ahmed Fahour, OncoRes Medical CEO and Managing Director Katharine Giles, and former Minister for Industrial Relations Kelly O’Dwyer.
Technology industry executive Daniel Petre was also appointed to the board. He is the co-founder and partner emeritus of AirTree, chairperson of Vera Living, and Director of Optima Technology.
Kathryn Presser, chairperson of the South Australian Department of Treasury and Fiances’ Risk and Performance Committee, joins the NRF board to bring significant risk and governance expertise, as well as finance and industry expertise.
Karen Smith-Pomeroy, chairman of the Regional Investment Corporation and the National Affordable Housing Consortium, and Daniel Walton, a former co-chair of the NSW Renewable Energy Sector Board, were also appointed.
With members drawn from different parts of Australia, the board will make independent investment decisions and ensure the NRF is a truly national fund with a national focus.
The board’s specialist knowledge spans the NRF’s seven priority investment areas, which are: renewables and low emissions technologies; medical science; transport; value-add in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors; value-add in resources; defence capability; and enabling capabilities.
“The Board’s collective experience brings to bear the independence and industry experience that taxpayers, project proponents and co-investors expect of this critical national project,” said Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic. “This is a Board of diverse perspectives, united in the NRF’s purpose to invest in world-class Australian know-how to rebuild our industrial capabilities.”
