The buzz of Queensland’s energy: David Smales, CEO of Energy Queensland
The buzz of Queensland’s energy: David Smales, CEO of Energy Queensland https://csuiteold.c-suitenetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/the-buzz-of-queenslands-energy-david-smales-ceo-of-energy-queensland.jpg 450 450 C-Suite Network https://csuiteold.c-suitenetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/the-buzz-of-queenslands-energy-david-smales-ceo-of-energy-queensland.jpg
There’s no doubting the buzz surrounding Energy Queensland. Apart from the new name, which automatically conjures up images of light and warmth, the merged government companies of Energex and Ergon Energy are now Australia’s largest distributor of electricity.
Covering 1.7 million square kilometres, stretching from Tweed Heads to Torres Strait and from Brisbane to Birdsville, the company employs around 7,400 staff based in 100 locations. Its wavy green-and-yellow logo reflects the elasticity of the sunshine state, characterised by stunning, rugged coastlines and enormous expanses of arid outback.
The 2016 merge eliminated duplication in areas of administration, shared services, boards, management and corporate costs and is expected to save the government more than $500 million over the next 5 years. Based in Townsville, Energy Queensland is led by CEO David Smales, who boasts an impressive record in blue-chip energy companies, including Origin, and Drax and Centrica in the UK.
He began his 30-plus-year career as a 16-year-old apprentice working in the power industry, moving through junior positions to leadership roles in energy companies, completing an MBA en route. He’s a leader who keenly appreciates that his responsibility is more than just connecting Queenslanders to power; it’s also understanding the emotional connection.
It’s dealing with the devastation a flood, cyclone or drought can bring to an area 7 times the size of Great Britain, with more than half its near 5 million population living outside the greater metropolitan area of its capital, Brisbane. Cyclone Debbie was one such force of nature. An overwhelming Category 4, she struck Queensland in March this year, leaving more than 60,000 Queenslanders without power.
However, Energy Queensland was ready for the carnage Debbie would trigger, and preparation began days before she hit land. “We put in a phenomenal amount of additional effort,” David remembers. “We have great technology these days…
