Sam Crafter, Chief Executive

In early 2022, Sam was appointed Chief Executive for the Office of Hydrogen Power SA. Sam’s career, with a focus on the energy and resources industries for over 20 years, has included project implementation, commercial advisory, public affairs, communications, and reputation management in the public and private sector.

Directly prior to this appointment, Sam was a Director at a strategic commercial and project delivery advisory business focussed on the energy and resource sector.

Formerly as Executive Director, Energy Implementation with the South Australian Government, Sam led the operation of new-style energy initiatives, including the world’s original biggest battery at the Hornsdale Power Reserve, the $100m Home Battery Scheme, the $50m Grid Scale Storage Fund and South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant using public housing stock.

Nicola McFarlane, Chief Operating Officer

Nicola has over 20 years’ experience working in government, engineering and risk management in the energy and oil & gas industry both in Australia and in the UK and more recently in supporting the energy transition.

In her previous role, Nicola as a Director for Hydrogen and New Energies Division for State Government and as a principal engineer and project manager in Energy Transition and Decarbonisation, was involved in managing key hydrogen related strategy and risk advisory projects in Australia.

Nicola has a First-Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Western Australia.

Amy Butler, Director, Strategic Policy and Corporate Services

The Director, Strategic Policy and Corporate Services is responsible for the provision of strategic policy advice to the Chief Executive in the delivery of the pivotal projects including Cabinet and Parliamentary business, government relations, governance and corporate services.

Martin Reid, Director, Development and Approvals

The Director, Development and Approvals is responsible for strategic leadership of land access approvals and the environmental approvals process including land acquisition and land use and negotiation and benefits design with landowners to support project delivery.

Sean Moules, Director, Engineering

The Director, Engineering is responsible for providing technical support, monitoring and guidance for the engineering, health, safety, environment and quality elements of project delivery.

Maria Kosti, Director, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

The Director, Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Engagement is responsible for the strategic vision and narrative for the Hydrogen industry in South Australia and driving community social acceptance for the two pivotal projects ensuring they are enabled to meet milestones, objectives and outcomes. Overseeing and executing communication and engagement strategies, issues management and resolutions. A key focus is ensuring the projects are consistent with established environmental, social and governance principals and building crucial relationships with key stakeholders and Traditional Owners to drive respectful and meaningful partnerships, understanding and support.

Richard Day, Director, Industry Development

The Director, Industry Development is responsible for determining the vision and direction of South Australia’s strategic engagement with the hydrogen industry including influencing and shaping strategy, such as South Australia’s Hydrogen Strategy, and facilitating discussions between industry and government to develop hydrogen hubs, production, storage and usage projects, manufacturing, supply chain capacity building, and industry-research collaborations.