John Cleland - Appointed 18 July 2016
Chief Executive Officer
BEc DipFinMan CA FFin, GAICD

Appointed in 2016, John has led Essential Energy through significant internal transformation and energy sector change and volatility, focusing on the evolving requirements of customers across regional, rural and remote NSW.

John is a board member and past chair of Energy Networks Australia, the peak industry body representing electricity and gas networks across Australia.

John is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (CA), a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and has tertiary qualifications in economics and finance.

Prior to joining Essential Energy John held senior positions in the infrastructure, resources and logistics sectors including Head of Infrastructure, Coal Division at Anglo American PLC and CEO of WestNet Infrastructure Group.

Martin English - Appointed 1 January 2023
General Counsel and Company Secretary
BFA LLB (Honours Class 1), FGIA, GAICD

Martin joined Essential Energy in October 2014 holding roles of Corporate Lawyer and Head of Legal prior to being appointed as General Counsel and Company Secretary. Martin was appointed as Director and Secretary of Intium Pty Limited in January 2023.  

Martin is an experienced senior manager with expertise in corporate, commercial and property matters, including policy formation, workplace health and safety, industrial relations, stakeholder management, and in the broader Energy industry.

Martin commenced his career in private legal practice, and since joining Essential Energy has developed a deep knowledge of the Energy industry and the opportunities and challenges in this sector. 

Martin has a Bachelor of Financial Administration and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons Class 1), is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Justin Hillier - Appointed 1 November 2021
Chief Commercial Officer
BBus, CA, GDipAppFinInv, FINSIA, GAICD

Justin has been a part of Essential Energy’s Executive Leadership Team since 2016, contributing his expertise in finance and commercial strategy. 

Justin is an experienced executive with expertise in financial management, strategic planning, corporate development and negotiating commercial transactions in energy, mining and finance sectors across Australia and Asia. 

Justin previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer with Essential Energy, Executive Vice President (Acting CEO) with Glencore on the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project and senior commercial roles with global accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Tarong Energy. 

Justin has a Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting), is a Chartered Accountant, Graduate Diploma of Applied finance & Investment, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Luke Jenner - Appointed 1 November 2021
Chief Assets and Digital Officer
BEng (Hons), EMBA, GAICD

Luke has been a part of Essential Energy’s Executive Leadership Team since 2012, contributing his extensive engineering and operational expertise. Appointed as Chief Assets and Digital Officer in May 2025, Luke is responsible for whole of life asset management, engineering approaches to innovation and the digitisation of the network. 

Luke’s career spans significant senior management roles, including Chief Operating Officer, Executive Manager Engineering, General Manager Customer and Network Services, and General Manager People and Services at Essential Energy. He has also held various Engineering Management positions at DBT (now HBT GmbH), a global mining equipment supplier, and Royal Dutch Shell’s underground coal division. 

Luke has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), an Executive MBA, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Anne Pearson - Appointed 10 October 2022
Chief Customer and Corporate Affairs Officer
BA LLB (Hons), GAICD

Anne joined Essential Energy’s Executive Leadership Team in 2022, bringing with her a wealth of industry regulatory knowledge and customer-focussed expertise. Anne was appointed as Chief Customer and Corporate Affairs Officer in May 2025.

Anne is an experienced executive with a career that has centred around regulatory and policy frameworks in the Australian energy sector at both state and national levels. Anne’s commitment to working in the interests of consumers has led to a range of regulatory and policy reforms throughout her career. 

Anne is a former lawyer, has a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Anne held senior positions in the Australian Energy Market Commission including Chief Executive and, immediately prior to joining Essential Energy, was Head of Reputation for EnergyAustralia.

Stacey Sleeman - Appointed 1 December 2025
Chief Financial Officer
BBus (Distinction), CA, MAICD

Stacey joined Essential Energy’s Executive Leadership Team in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across finance, strategy, transformation and commercial operations in the energy, industrial manufacturing and resources sectors.

Stacey was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in December 2025. Prior to joining Essential Energy, Stacey held CFO roles at Ampcontrol and Tomago Aluminium, where she led significant business transformation, energy and enterprise strategy, and decarbonisation initiatives. Her earlier career includes senior roles at global mining and resources organisations including Anglo American and PanAust, as well as professional services experience at Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Stacey has served on multiple boards and was the first female Board Director at Ampcontrol. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting), is a Chartered Accountant, and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Amalie Smith - Appointed 29 November 2021
Chief Operations, People and Safety Officer
MBA (Log&SupChaMgt), GradCertBusMgt, GAICD

Amalie joined Essential Energy in 2018 and has worked across a diverse range of business units from investment and delivery to human resources and people management. During her time with Essential Energy, Amalie has held senior management positions including Head of Network Delivery and Group Head of Network Investment and Maintenance. 

Amalie became part of Essential Energy’s Executive Leadership as the Acting General Manager Customer and Network Services before being appointed as the Chief People Officer. Amalie was appointed as the Chief Operations, People and Safety Officer in May 2025.

Amalie has extensive experience in senior operational leadership and driving positive change in complex leadership roles as well as expertise in supply chain management, health care and logistics, transformations and associated large-scale complex construction.

Amalie previously held the position of Capital Delivery Manager at GrainCorp and Managing Director of Territory Medical Group based in the Northern Territory.

Amalie has an MBA (Supply Chain and Logistics Management), a Graduate Certificate in Business Management, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She also has tertiary qualifications in Practice Management.