John Cleland is the Chief Executive Officer of Essential Energy, one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution network responsible for delivering electricity to over 900,000 customers across 95% of New South Wales (NSW) and parts of southern Queensland.
Appointed in 2016, John has led Essential Energy through significant internal transformation and energy sector change and volatility, focussing 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.
