Annual Report 2019-20

We are governed by a commission made up of four commissioners, supported by a chief executive officer and an executive team.

We are growing

In 2019–20 we welcomed two new commissioners: Sitesh Bhojani and Rebecca Billings. Sitesh started his role of commissioner in September 2019, while Rebecca commenced in February 2020. The organisation also increased in size with the addition of new responsibilities and increased expectations.

The information in this section reflects these changes.

Our leadership team

Kate Symons – Commissioner and chairperson

Kate was appointed full-time commissioner and chairperson in September 2019, after being a part-time commissioner since October 2016. As a lawyer with qualifications in public administration and corporate governance, Kate has experience across several sectors.

Kate has particular expertise in risk, compliance and governance issues. She acted as solicitor-assisting for the HIH Insurance Royal Commission, has held roles within the university sector and the Federal Court of Australia, and has worked in private practice both in Australia and overseas.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Public Administration from Flinders University.

Sitesh Bhojani – Commissioner

Sitesh commenced as a commissioner in September 2019. He is a barrister and is highly experienced in competition and consumer law.

Sitesh's previous roles include practicing law as a barrister with the Western Australian Bar Association, the New South Wales Bar Association and Victorian Bar. He was also a member and deputy chairman of the Competition and Consumer Committee of the Law Council of Australia.

Between 1995 to 2003 Sitesh was a commissioner at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Rebecca Billings – Commissioner

Rebecca was appointed part-time commissioner in February 2020. Rebecca is an economist with over 18 years’ experience providing economic and policy advice to government across a diverse range of regulatory systems.

Rebecca’s consulting roles include being a director at PwC, NERA Economic Consulting and Deloitte Access Economics. She was previously a senior economist at the Department of Treasury and Finance, where she supported the implementation of the Reducing Regulatory Burden reforms.

Simon Corden – Commissioner

Simon was appointed part-time commissioner in April 2019. He is an expert in economics and social policy.

Simon’s previous roles include senior executive positions in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Treasury and Finance, the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission Secretariat and WorkSafe Victoria.

From 2011 to 2018 he was the Director, Policy, Programs and Evaluation, Management Consulting at KPMG Australia.

John Hamill – Chief Executive Officer

John has been CEO of the Essential Services Commission since February 2016. He leads the commission and the executive team with responsibility for the overall operations of the commission.

Prior to working at the commission, he was general manager, regulation at the Commerce Commission in New Zealand and has extensive experience in regulatory reform, public sector governance, and governance.

Michelle Bryne – Head of Strategic Communication

As head of strategic communication, Michelle oversees external and internal communication, digital and social media, media and issues management, reputation, branding, and stakeholder management.

Michelle has a Masters of Communication, Organisational Communication, and a Bachelor of Arts, both from Charles Sturt University.

Jeff Cefai – Director, Victorian Energy Upgrades

As director, Victorian Energy Upgrades division, Jeff oversees all aspects of the program within the commission. These include assessing and registering certificates, approving products, and accrediting participants. He also oversees the management of project-based activities, monitoring and enforcement under the commission’s audit and compliance functions, overall stakeholder engagement and collaboration with policy makers through our data-driven insights.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) from RMIT and over 30 years of experience in the energy sector and 15 years in regulation.

Marcus Crudden – Director, Price Monitoring and Regulation

Marcus oversees projects including confidential advice to government on waste reviews, approving metropolitan and regional water businesses prices, administering local government rate caps, determining and setting maximum taxi fares, and the Port of Melbourne’s possible exercise of power in relation to setting rent and lease terms and conditions at the port.

Marcus has a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales. He also has a Graduate Diploma of Water Engineering, Hydrology and Water Resources Science, and a Bachelor of Engineering, both from Monash University.

Nick Field – Director, Organisational Performance

Nick started his role at the commission in June 2020. As director, organisational performance, Nick oversees key internal functions, including IT, people and culture, finance, governance and risk.

Nick has a Bachelor of Arts (Social Science) from the University of Leicester, and qualifications in facilitation, training, project management and leadership. He has over 15 years’ experience as a management consultant to the Victorian Public Sector and more recently as a Chief Operating Officer at Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office.

Sarah McDowell – Director, Energy

As director, energy, Sarah oversees our energy program, including our licensing of energy companies, our compliance and audit program and enforcement action. She also oversees the development of energy codes and guidelines, and the release of market performance reports such as the Victorian Energy Market Report.

Sarah has a Graduate Diploma in Law, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts, all from Monash University.