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? 

I initiated business improvement projects in both my in-house roles. Having identified the need for process improvement to increase efficiency, I developed and implemented a suite of new standardised documents to empower my teams to deliver a consistent high-standard output.  

At Ruralco, I developed a new method for sharing legal updates with our extensive network of business units across Australia. This drew on existing expertise within the legal team and led to greater awareness of the practical commercial implications of legal issues and improved risk management practices. 

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

The Palisade legal team has been involved in numerous acquisitions, disposals and refinancings of infrastructure assets in Australia and overseas.  Non-confidential examples are set out below.  

Australian portfolio:  Palisade (along with an Australian superannuation fund) acquired 49% of Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, the largest operating wind farm in the National Electricity Market.  The legal team also helped launch Intera Renewables, the product of aggregating and refinancing several of Palisade’s renewable energy assets (wind and solar farms) into a single entity of significant scale.  

US portfolio: the legal team supported Palisade’s initial investments in North America, including the joint acquisition of Amp US, a renewable energy and battery storage platform, and multiple network infrastructure and connectivity businesses.  

Palisade Real Assets: Palisade’s tangible assets team established a UK bioenergy platform.  Palisade’s legal team assisted with structuring the platform and its first acquisitions –an anaerobic digestion plant and a renewable energy asset management and development business. 

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

I am passionate about supporting rural and regional Australian communities. I grew up in a small town in regional Australia. As a result, I am acutely aware of the challenges of access and opportunity faced by people in those communities. I love to see rural businesses and individuals succeed and thrive.  

Since leaving private practice, I have consciously decided to work for businesses that support and contribute to the success of regional communities or the agricultural sector. My previous role was at Ruralco (which merged with Landmark to become Nutrien Ag Solutions). Ruralco was a diversified agribusiness that supported Australian farmers in ‘traditional’ inputs and services, agtech trials, and early-stage investments to drive innovation in the sector. My current role is at Palisade, a specialised infrastructure manager investing in and managing infrastructure assets essential to regional areas and, more broadly, the Australian economy. Palisade supports youth mental health and education, particularly in regional areas, and provides employment and internship opportunities in the communities in which its assets operate.