Griffith Business School’s Professor Paul Simshauser AM has been named the new Chief Executive of the government-owned Powerlink, further cementing Griffith’s close engagement with industry.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) Professor David Grant said Professor Simshauser’s new position was reflective of the hard work and dedication he had put into being an industry thought leader, and proof of the Business School’s longstanding ties with industry.
Professor David Grant with Professor Paul Simshauser AM
“Paul has made significant contribution to Griffith Business School over a number of years, as a Professor of Economics with us, as Chair of the Policy Innovation Hub Advisory Board, as member of the GBS Strategic Advisory Board, and as a member of the AFE Advisory Board,” Professor Grant said.
“Griffith Business School is extremely proud of our 2016 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year winner Professor Paul Simshauser and his many achievements. I am especially delighted to be able to congratulate Paul on his new appointment as Chief Executive of Powerlink Queensland.”
Professor Simshauser was previously the Director-General of the Queensland Department of Energy & Water Supply, Executive General Manager Energy Markets at the ASX-listed integrated renewable energy company Infigen Energy, and Chief Economist at one of Australia’s largest energy utilities, AGL Energy.
“Powerlink is one of Australia’s largest electricity utilities with a long and proud history of serving Queensland – its people and the economy. It is an honour and privilege to have been appointed its third Chief Executive,” Professor Simshauser said.
“The nature of Powerlink’s business places it at the centre of the current energy industry transition. Queensland’s energy transition is significant by global standards and, in my assessment, Powerlink has all the ingredients to emerge as a truly world-class electricity transmission network utility. I’ll be very focused on making sure that we do.”
As he begins his new appointment on June 1, Professor Simshauser’s first set of duties will be navigating the impact of COVID-19 on the energy sector. “Like all sectors of the economy, the near term outlook for demand, its implications for operational planning and the shape of the recovery which follows, is likely to dominate,” he said.
“He has worked in the energy industry (both the public and private sectors) for over 25 years and we have greatly benefited from his thought leadership and research in the field of energy economics,” said Professor Grant.
“He is an exceptional scholar and highly regarded industry leader and his experience and new position brings access to an extensive network throughout the energy industry, government, academia, regulatory and policymaking institutions.
“We are thrilled to see Paul’s work recognised by his new appointment and are looking forward to seeing how he can further impact and shape the future of the energy industry.”
Alongside his new role, Professor Simshauser will continue to perform applied energy economics and energy policy research at Griffith, supervise postgraduate students, chair the Policy Innovation Hub and act as a key member of the GBS and AFE advisory boards.
