Mike Swanston Email & Phone Number

Brisbane, Qld, Au

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane, Australia

The AER established the Consumer Challenge Panel (CCP) in July 2013 as part of the Better Regulation reforms. These reforms aimed to deliver an improved regulatory framework focused on promoting the long-term interests of consumers.My responsibilities cover CCPs for the regulatory resets in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and South Australia.The CCP assists the AER to make better regulatory determinations by providing input on issues of importance to consumers. Regulatory determinations are technical and complex processes which can make it difficult for ordinary consumers to participate. The expert members of the CCP bring consumer perspectives to the AER to better balance the range of views considered as part of our decisions.https://www.aer.gov.au/about-us/consumer-challenge-panel

Brisbane, Australia

As a professional engineer with over thirty years of experience in the Australian electricity industry, I use my small consultancy 'The Customer Advocate' to promote a sustainable energy future and a fair deal for energy customers, both in Australia and overseas. Goals include the development of customer-focussed electricity markets through powerful, effective and transparent engagement and honest communication – with a focus on sensible, simple and efficient service to the energy customer. My experience and expertise includes:• Consumer engagement and advocacy in a modern energy environment. Distribution network design, construction and operation• Capital investment and the development of large electricity networks• Market regulation, particularly to promote efficient, consumer-focussed capital investment • The development and application of renewable energy technologies in the consumer environment• New technologies in renewable energy, particularly PV and storage• Government, regulatory and shareholder relationships• Media and public communications

Malaysia

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

3 cycles - 2017, 2018 and 2021 - Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Federal - A member of the subject matter expert assessment team for the Dubai Government Excellence Programme. Our international group reviewed the technical, commercial, sustainability and service performance of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), culminating in advice outlining a range of improvement opportunities to assist DEWA in meeting world's best utility practice.

Energex Brisbane

Responsible for the establishment and delivery of a ‘customer-focused’ approach for the distribution utility serving 1.3M customers. Leading a team of senior professionals spanning :o Escalated complaints management, NECF implementation, customer strategies, hardship;o Government and media relations;o Community liaison and dispute resolution;o Retailer and energy market relationships; o Customer Analytics; ando Renewable energy and emerging customer technologies.

Management of the SE Queensland Network Control Centre, with 45 professional and paraprofessional staff responsible for the safe and effective operation of the power network supplying 2.7M people.. Ther role included emergency response, major customer liaison and media and communications. Corporate Planning & Projects reported to the CFO, identifying opportunities and managing corporation-wide change projects to improve organisational performance and profitability, Successful in driving $50M in savings over 5 years across asset management, procurement and shared services opportunities.

Melbourne & Western Victoria

As the distribution industry in Victoria was in the process of being privatised, I joined Powercor as Network Development Manager, responsible for the management of a team of around forty technical and commercial professionals overseeing the performance, growth and investment in the electricity network. With a customer base of approximately 700,000 and a capital investment budget of around $100M, the new American then subsequent Hong-Kong based owners required a major review of planning and investment criteria, technical standards and network risk over that time.

New South Wales, Australia

Mornings broadcaster at 2NR, the ABC radio station for the Far North Coast of New South Wales.Radio between 4:30and 8am , then another career for the rest of the day !

Be, Electrical Engineering, Honours

Managed to fit an engineering degree into a busy lifestyle !

Postgrad Business Management, Business Administration And Management, General

Business Administration

Dux Of School

Dux of School, 1976