Team Profiles

David Norman

CEO

David Norman is the Chief Executive Officer of Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). David is responsible for implementing the vision and mission of Future Fuels CRC and managing its research operations including over 120 industry initiated projects enabling the use of hydrogen and biomethane in Australia’s energy networks.

David is an experienced research and industry leader. Previously Chief Executive Officer of Energy Pipelines CRC, David then lead the successful bid to create Future Fuels CRC. David has over 20 years of experience in senior positions in the global energy industry, spanning an array of commercial, managerial and technical roles.

David graduated in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Melbourne and has completed a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Deakin University. He is a member of Engineers Australia and the Australian Institute of Energy.

Dr Jeremy Harris

Projects Manager

Jeremy Harris brings over 25 years of experience in oil, gas, electricity, renewables and hydrogen development.

Jeremy worked for over 21 years with Shell/Viva in a range of roles in Australia and Overseas building a deep knowledge of the fuel energy requirements of Australia and the end-to-end energy value chain.

In 2018, Jeremy established his own consulting business, LocoParentis, to support Australian based companies looking to decarbonise their energy requirements or participate in the zero-carbon economy, carrying out market research or business strategy development for the likes of BOSCH, Mitsui and ENGIE.

Jeremy has also co-founded, 123V, a hydrogen project development company, focusing on FCEV heavy transport that has several projects under development and as a result is familiar with the business pitfalls and hurdles the energy transition faces in Australia.

Finally, Jeremy has good experience with CRC’s having gained his PhD from the Antarctic and Southern Ocean CRC at University of Tasmania, one of the first CRC’s ever funded.

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George Whittaker

Development and Engagement Manager

George runs the development, engagement and communication of the CRC’s research program, supporting the CRC’s diverse group of stakeholders to achieve their shared goals and research outcomes. He also develops the future of our research beyond the CRC original funded term which completes in 2025.

George’s experience includes the energy, technology and government sectors in both Australia and the United Kingdom and he graduated in Physics from Imperial College, London.

Douglas Proud

Research and Utilisation Coordinator Program 3

Douglas coordinates a series of research projects focussed on ensuring the compatibility of existing and planned network infrastructure with future fuels, such as hydrogen and biomethane. A key focus of this role is facilitating the engagement between researchers and industry/regulatory stakeholders, to maximise the utilisation and dissemination of research outcomes.

Douglas has unique research experience in renewable fuels and decarbonisation. After graduating in Mechanical and Sustainable Energy Engineering from The University of Adelaide, he recently completed his PhD thesis focussed on studying new combustion techniques for the development of low-emissions and fuel-flexible gas turbines.

Douglas has also been involved in several research projects within the end-use appliance stream of the Future Fuels CRC. Most recently, his research at The University of Adelaide has assessed the compatibility of domestic and industrial combustion systems with hydrogen as a fuel source. In addition to the technical background, this experience has provided him with an understanding of the operation of the CRC and the importance of the relationship between industry and research.

Neil Fawcett

Business Manager and Company Secretary

Neil has extensive experience in a range of senior financial management roles across numerous industries, and brings a wealth of financial knowledge to the CRC. His previous employment includes Ernst & Young Auditing and Consulting (Melbourne and USA), GE Commercial, State Street Australia Limited, and as the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Benetas, a large not-for-profit aged care provider. Neil is a Chartered Accountant and a member of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Governance Institute of Australia.

Benjy Lee

Strategic Adviser

Benjy Lee is a Strategic Adviser to Future Fuels CRC and an independent consultant, who specialises in energy and climate policy development, future fuels research and net zero carbon strategies.

Benjy has over two decades of experience covering environmental engineering, carbon management, commercial and public affairs roles across a variety of sectors, with the last decade at Jemena where he played a key role in shaping their energy policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement approach.

Benjy has also worked collaboratively on energy policy development through his contribution to many industry associations, including the Business Council of Australia, Energy Networks Australia, Ai Group, Australian Hydrogen Council, Bioenergy Australia, Australian Pipelines and Gas Association, and to improve customer outcomes across the energy sector as a former Deputy Chair of the Energy Charter’s Industry Working Group.