With extensive experience in the energy sector, the AGIG executive team is well placed to lead us to achieving our vision.

Craig de Laine

Chief Executive Officer

Craig joined the business in 2005 and became Chief Executive Officer of the AGIG entities in November 2021. Craig is an experienced executive and, prior to being appointed CEO, had responsibility for a broad range of key corporate functions, including business strategy, our low carbon strategy and transition, hydrogen growth and development, ESG, corporate affairs, media, communications, regulation, customer service and business development, community engagement, risk and compliance and people and culture. He brings over 20 years of industry experience and is currently a Director of Energy Networks Australia and is Chair of their Gas Committee. Craig holds a Master of Economics.

Cathryn McArthur

Executive General Manager, Customer and Strategy

Cathryn manages a wide portfolio of AGIG’s external-facing functions, with a particular focus on leading the business through the energy transition. She leads business strategy, as well as sustainability, customer engagement, corporate affairs, business development, marketing and our industry-leading work in hydrogen development. Cathryn joined the business in 2022, following 20 years in the telecommunications industry across various roles spanning the public and private sector. Cathryn’s extensive experience in navigating through sector transitions is extremely valuable to AGIG as we do the same. Cathryn holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts and has also completed the Stanford Executive Program at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Ed De Prinse

Executive General Manager, Distribution Operations

Ed leads the operational responsibility of our gas distribution networks across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. By managing in-house operations and specialised service partner delivery, he oversees the safe and reliable supply of natural gas to more than two million customers, as well as the renewable hydrogen blends delivered to customers within the Hydrogen Park project areas. With over 30 years of experience in the electricity and gas infrastructure industries, we has worked in key leadership and management roles in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New Zealand. Ed holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical).

James Smith

Executive General Manager, Transmission Operations

James leads the safe and reliable operations of our transmission, midstream processing & storage, and hydrogen production assets. Committed on achieving a zero-harm future, James motivates our operations teams and optimises operations & maintenance activities across AGIG Australian assets. A passionate advocate in the pipeline industry, James supports research, development, and the sharing of lessons learned. With over 35 years of experience spanning fieldwork, supervisory, management, executive and director roles in the gas industry, he holds trade qualifications, an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute Company Directors.

Johanna Birgersson

Executive General Manager, People, Safety & Culture

With people spanning four states and six offices, Johanna leads the national workforce strategy and management. Joh is responsible for all key people functions at AGIG, including People and Culture, Health and Safety, and Training and Development as well as Property. As a forward-thinking leader, Joh has significant experience in complex industrial environments, and recently joined AGIG following eight years in an Executive General Management Human Resources role. Johanna has a Bachelor of Arts, holds Post Graduate qualifications in Human Resource Management from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Paul May

Chief Financial Officer

Paul is a Chartered Accountant and brings over 25 years’ experience in corporate financial and management roles including extensive experience in ASX-listed companies. He has been CFO of AGIG entities since 2014. Prior to this, he was Group Manager, Finance and Risk of Envestra Ltd since 2009. Paul oversees all aspects of financial and technology operations and strategy for our portfolio of companies to ensure the business continues to be sustainably cost efficient and effective. He is responsible for the accounting, treasury, tax, capital management, insurance and information technology functions across the group.

Rachael Smith

Executive General Manager, Commercial and Growth 

Rachael has been with AGIG since August 2012 and is currently responsible for the commercial management of AGIG’s transmission, hydrogen and storage assets, national contracts and procurement team and AGIG’s corporate development. She has over 20 years commercial and operations experience in the Western Australian Energy Markets with various commercial roles in the up, mid and downstream gas industry as well as wholesale electricity experience. Rachael has worked in energy roles within the BHP assets (Petroleum and Iron Ore), ERM’s Newgen Kwinana and Neerabup Power assets as well the largest WA gas retailer and independent power producer Alinta. She has a Bachelor of Business (Economics and Operations Management).

Roxanne Smith

Executive General Manager, Corporate and Regulation

Roxanne Smith is responsible for Legal and Company Secretary, the Regulatory and Economics functions, as well as Compliance and Assurance and Risk. Prior to joining AGIG in October 2019, she spent 20 years as a private practice lawyer advising clients in the infrastructure, utility and natural resources sectors, with a focus on regulation. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting).

Tawake Rakai

Executive General Manager, Infrastructure Asset Management

Strategic asset management for the gas transmission system including the midstream and storage as well as the emerging hydrogen production facilities. He leads the critical imperative of maintaining asset safety (the Process Safety programs of the transmission system) and integrity. Applying modern engineering practices, Tawake leads the design, construction, and the transitioning of these assets for operational readiness with Transmission Operations and Commercial. Tawake has extensive operations, maintenance, and project experience with more than 40 years in the gas industry. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Western Australia.