Team

Tom Denniss B.Math, B.Sc (Honours Class 1), PhD

Co-Founder and Executive Chair

Tom has a PhD in Mathematics and Oceanography. Tom invented the technology of WSE. He has served as the Australian government’s representative on the International Energy Agency’s Ocean Energy Systems Executive Committee, as well as on the Global Roundtable on Climate Change, an initiative of the Special Adviser to the Secretary General of the United Nations. Tom was the first person to be inducted into the International Ocean Energy Hall of Fame in 2007, and has served on the Australian Government’s Advisory Board for the Clean Energy Innovation Centre and the CSIRO Advisory Committee for the Australian Wave Energy Atlas Project. As Chair of WSE, Tom’s board responsibilities include technology and strategy.

John Brown, B.Bus (Econometrics)

Co-Founder, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
John has more than 25 years’ experience in investment banking and financial services. He has worked for leading global investment banks in New York, London, Singapore, Sydney and Melbourne. John’s career includes foreign exchange trading and corporate advisory. John worked closely with Tom Denniss during the 1990s in the Treasury and Commodities division of Macquarie Bank building trading models and taking them to market. John has had a strong interest in the renewable energy sector for the past 20 years. As a director and CEO of WSE, John’s board responsibilities include the company’s day-to-day operational matters and strategy.

Greg Winnett B.Bus (Accounting), CA

Non-Executive Director

Greg is the Chair and Managing Partner at Accru Melbourne, a comprehensive financial services business, and has more than 30 years’ experience working with corporate and private clients. He is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand, a registered company auditor and tax agent. Greg is also an Australian representative on the Board of CPA Associates International & MGI Worldwide with representation in over 70 countries. Greg specialises in audit and assurance services and has built a wealth of knowledge across many industries. Clients include public and private companies, large proprietary companies, incorporated associations, trusts and other reporting entities. Professional involvement with a diverse client base has enabled Greg to develop a comprehensive understanding of business systems, information technology, corporate governance and financial management. As a director of WSE, Greg’s board responsibilities include finance and governance.

Ian Coltman LLB, B.Ec, Grad Dip Bus Admin

Non-Executive Director
Ian is a corporate commercial lawyer who has practised law for more than 30 years. In 2011 he established Coltmans Legal, advising on corporate, commercial and financial services law. Before then, Ian worked with leading law firms in Melbourne and London, was head of Legal for the Australian arm of a global fund manager and was an assistant director with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Early in his career Ian was a commercial litigator, conducting a number of large actions, most notably Water Wheel, ASIC’s landmark insolvent trading claim. Ian serves on a number of boards and not for profit committees. As a director of WSE, Ian’s board responsibilities include legal, compliance and governance.

Scott Hunter B.Eng (Nav. Arch.)

Chief Technology Officer
Scott is the Chief Technology Officer of WSE. Scott has a Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture from the University of New South Wales. Prior to joining WSE, Scott spent 18 months in the USA developing tidal energy technologies with a leading company in this field. Since joining WSE, Scott has been heavily involved in developing and validating the core intellectual property of WSE.

Tom Wilson B.Eng (Civil)

Chief Development Officer
Tom has been working in the renewable energy sector for three years, with a vested interest in wind, wave and biogas technologies. Tom has a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. He spent his initial years in the building and construction industry as a managing director of engineering companies in Australia, UAE, and UK providing specialist engineering services on government, commercial and private projects. Involvement in various civil and marine projects saw him transition to become an owner operator of a dredging company and subsea cable burial company. More recently he has focused as a marine construction engineer on bridge and jetty construction for major civil, oil and gas infrastructure projects.