Chairman of the Australian Energy Market Commission, John Pierce, today announced the resignation of Chief Executive, Paul Smith who is returning home to England at the end of this year with his family.

“Paul has been with us for five years, first expanding the organisation’s economic analysis credentials as the inaugural head of our Strategy and Economic Analysis team and then as Chief Executive from 2013, deepening the strategic co-ordination of our work program to address unprecedented change in the national energy markets,” Mr Pierce said.

“He leaves an organisation strongly focussed on performance, not only in relation to our driving mission to work in the long-term interests of energy consumers, but also in terms of developing the organisation’s open, respectful and collaborative culture which governs our relationships with stakeholders across consumer groups, industry and government.

“On behalf of the other Commissioners, Neville Henderson and Brian Spalding, I would like to sincerely thank Paul for his support in articulating the strategic focus for the AEMC and his contribution to the Australian energy sector,” Mr Pierce said.

Paul will continue in the role of AEMC Chief Executive until early December. He will be taking a short period of previously planned leave from 21-29 September. During this period Anne Pearson, Senior Director, Market Development, will be Acting Chief Executive.

The AEMC Chief Executive position will be advertised across Australia and internationally this week.