Meet the H2Q Advisory Board
The H2Q Advisory Board represent an enviable team of seasoned hydrogen practitioners, with expertise spanning finance, leadership, generation, application, strategy, and economics; serving both the private and public sectors.
Business Development Manager
Clean Hydrogen, BOC South Pacific
Executive Director
Bundaberg Regional Council
Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright
H2Q Director & Chair
Managing Director & Founder
Synergen Met PL
Director
Natural Resources Group, ANZ
Executive Chairman
Natural Resources Group, ANZ
Renata Berglas | H2Q Director & Chair
A key player and seasoned professional in policy development for a better business environment, Renata’s policy experience spans, transport, freight, logistics, hydrogen, and the beef industry. Undaunted by government engagement, Renata’s prowess has served in resolving sensitive policy issues. Her advocacy in levelling the playing field and facilitating flourishing business sectors is what drives her contributions to the H2Q Queensland Hydrogen Industry Cluster, Minister De Brenni’s Hydrogen Taskforce, and the Regional Development Australia Brisbane Committee.
Tom Soulsby | Executive Chairman | Lion Energy
Tom, is a seasoned oil, gas and resources leader. During his tenure at RISCO, serving as CEO, RISCO participated in US$ 500m in successful transactions. His 27-year experience in oil, gas, and resources, sectors have spanned investment banking, corporate business development, and executive management and leadership roles. Tom is now driving the company’s second upstream portfolio, which includes stakes in Tap Oil Ltd and Lion Energy Ltd, where he is Chairman.
Mark Couchman | Director | Natural Resources Group, ANZ
With nearly two decades in senior finance roles at ANZ, Mark has expanded their banking and finance capabilities, and relationships with the resources and energy sectors in Queensland. He is responsible for structuring debt facilities and expanding relationships for both his existing, resources and energy client base, whilst forging new relationships with new clients. He is a key player in the New Energy Strategy in Queensland, to which hydrogen will play a significant role.
Chris Dolman | Business Development Manager | Clean Hydrogen, BOC South Pacific
Chris has extensive experience in the applications of gas, across key growth sectors, including clean energy, universities, research, and agriculture. Most recently key hydrogen projects, under his watch, include mining projects in Pilbara, as well as commercial re-fueling and production activities in Victoria and Brisbane. More particularly, Chris has led key Hydrogen Product Stewardship initiatives, with state police authorities, to robustly assess hydrogen safety. With application of hydrogen a firm priority, he has also been involved with application innovation for mobility, energy and custom applications. As an advocate for zero-emissions, safety standards, and good governance, he serves on various working groups and councils, facilitating collaboration and alignment for maximum opportunities both locally and internationally.
Ren Niemann | Partner | Norton Rose Fulbright
As a key role player and advisor on more than $40-billion of infrastructure projects, spanning procurement, funding, development, and maintenance, across airports, ports, roads, rail, hospitals, water and waste, prisons, schools, universities and commercial developments, Ren has adeptly developed strategy for both the public and private sectors. He is a specialist in energy and renewables, advising bidders and contractors on solar, wind and waste-to-energy developments. Ren leverages his experience with hybrid projects, PPA’s, BOOT arrangements. and PPP’s, to best suit the strategy at hand.
Christopher Dunks | Managing Director & Founder | Synergen Met PL
Seasoned in mechanical design, construction management, project controls and management, contracting, business development, and new technology commercialisation, Chris has spent the past 25 years working in mineral processing, refining and power projects, both in Australia and the USA. As the MD and Founder of Synergen, he has led their efforts to develop technology to economically produce hydrogen via methane pyrolysis.
Ben Artup | Executive Director | Bundaberg Regional Council
Committed to sustainability, and an experienced economist, with particular focus on urban economics, local economic development, and regional innovation, Ben is the Executive Director of Strategic Projects and Economic Development at Bundaberg Regional Council. Leveraging opportunities, attracting investment, innovation, job creation, bio–energy, and sustainability, are all part of his “day job.”
