Essential Energy today announced the appointment of Ms Mar Beltran and Mr John Pierce AO as new non-executive directors.

Mar Beltran is an independent non-executive director and infrastructure executive with more than 30 years of international experience, including CEO and C-suite roles across the transport, airport and energy sectors.

Her board roles span energy, infrastructure and aviation, and she brings expertise in governance, risk, regulation, capital strategy, digital transformation and the energy transition, supported by an Executive MBA, aerospace engineering and postgraduate finance qualifications, and Australian Institute of Company Directors credentials.

Ms Beltran’s three-year term on the board commenced on 13 October 2026.

John Pierce AO brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across public policy and finance, industry reform, regulation and governance, including leading State and Federal agencies, serving as Chair of the Australian Energy Market Commission, and advising governments on public finance, energy and climate policy, regulation and governance.

He has led major intergovernmental reforms, holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of New South Wales, was named an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2018 Australia Day Honours and is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Griffith University. Mr Pierce has held board and advisory roles spanning biodiversity conservation, economic and public policy advice, financial management, stakeholder engagement and community governance.

Mr Pierce’s three-year term on the board commences on 31 October 2026.

Essential Energy’s Chair, Doug Halley said he was delighted to welcome Ms Beltran and Mr Pierce to the Board and looked forward to their contributions. Mr Halley said, “Mar and John each bring extensive knowledge and experience in energy and other highly regulated infrastructure sectors domestically and internationally, along with deep governance expertise and a strong track record across a range of board roles”.