Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?  

‘Find a Better Way’ is one of Origin’s core values. Innovating and continuously improving underpins the work that I do and how I approach my role.  

I hold the first dual role at Origin as a senior corporate lawyer and deputy company secretary. My work with the Board and senior management provides me with a deep understanding of Origin’s strategic priorities, allowing me to identify and implement innovations across both the Legal and Company Secretary teams, including establishing a multi-functional forum on new M&A opportunities and projects, successfully transitioning new renewables projects into Origin; connecting different parts of the business, engaging with internal stakeholders to streamline and embed processes that improve outcomes and efficiency, including frameworks to support the acceleration of growth in renewables and cleaner energy; and leading the implementation of new Origin comprehensive training modules on insider training, continuous disclosure and whistleblower protection, leveraging specialist capability within Origin’s Law firm Panel that I helped to establish in early 2021.  

These innovations largely resulted from improving our internal processes and leveraging capability within our law firm partners, meaning that costs were effectively managed.    

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?   

The most significant case in the past year has been my work on the potential acquisition of all issued shares in Origin by a consortium comprising Brookfield Asset Management and MidOcean Energy. I am part of the core team supporting key transaction milestones and leading the potential transfer of Upstream Operatorship of Australia Pacific LNG from Origin to ConocoPhillips. Through my role as Deputy Company Secretary, I also support the governance of the transaction by the Origin Board.  

I am a trusted advisor to Origin’s various business units across many large-scale and growth renewables projects to support the energy transition.  

Projects include a joint venture arrangement with leading UK-based renewable developer RES to apply for offshore wind feasibility licences in Gippsland, Victoria;  the construction and development of a large-scale 460 MW battery storage system at the Eraring Power Station, with a first stage FID of approximately USD$600m; divestment of Origin’s upstream interests in the Beetaloo Basin as well as its upstream exploration permits; Origin’s investment in Octopus Energy Group and the migration of Origin’s mass market customers to the Octopus Kraken platform to transform both business operations and the customer experience; and the growth of the Origin Loop, Origin’s in-house Virtual Power Plant to 815 MW across 276,000 connected assets.  

I also advised on Origin’s first Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP), outlining the company’s strategy and ambition to lead the energy transition through cleaner energy and customer solutions. The CTAP received 94.5% shareholder support at the 2022 AGM.   

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why? 

I am particularly passionate about D&I and making workplaces more accessible to employees who are Autistic or have ADHD. I am a member of Origin’s inaugural Accessibility Committee, advocating for the well-being and accessibility of people impacted by visible and invisible disabilities or medical conditions to enable our employees to thrive.   

I am also a keen advocate for equal access to education and overcoming disadvantage in our communities. I do this through my role as secretary to the Origin Energy Foundation Board, providing governance and legal advice to the Foundation Board and supporting the Foundation’s grant partner programmes on education, with a particular focus on disadvantaged and rural and remote schools. I am also a member of the Origin Legal Pro Bono Committee (refer to the Pro Bono Centre article attached) and act as the conduit for collaboration between the Foundation and the Legal Pro Bono Committee.