Key Personnel

Alexander (Sandy) Beard

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr Beard is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in private equity investing. He is the Chief Executive Officer of CVC Limited and he is also a Director of Amadeus Limited, Cellnet Limited, Mnet Limited, and CVC Private Equity Limited.

Mervyn Johnston

Mervyn (Merv) Douglas Johnston (Chief Executive Officer), is the Managing Director of Magma Pty Ltd, one of the Joint Venture partners of CVC REEF Ltd. He is a graduate of engineering from the University of Sydney, and he is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Australia. Merv has more than thirty years of experience in the private sector, and has served in senior executive level positions for much of his career. He has also held various senior roles in the public sector. Merv previously applied this background to his roles in the ERDS as Investment Manager, Business Development Manager and Acting Managing Director. He has extensive experience from negotiating ERDC's beneficial interest in the outcomes of research and development and its commercialisation.

Griffith Rose

Griffith (Griff) Frank Rose, is the Technical Director of Magma Pty Ltd. Griff is an electrical engineering graduate from the University of Queensland and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy, a member of the Australian Venture Capital Association, a Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Australian Institute of Company Director. Griff has more than twenty years of experience in project management and strategic planning. He was manager of ERDC's Electricity Program, which included investments in many renewable technologies. Griff has represented the ERDC on many energy industry working parties and on the Boards of several energy industry investee companies. He was also instrumental in the development of the Renewable Energy Grants programs for the Australian Greenhouse Office.

William Highland

William (Bill) James Highland, graduating as a Civil Engineer, has extensive general management experience across the full business life-cycle. This encompasses start-ups in the USA and China, acquisitions and joint ventures, revitalisations and turn around assignments, restructuring in Australia/NZ and Europe, and multinational divestments during his time with OPSM, BTR Nylex and Boral. Bill’s previous experience includes hands on senior management positions in the building products, construction materials, industrial minerals, footwear and clothing, industrial safety and the medical equipment sectors. Bill also brings on board specialist skills in the operational and strategic management of brands, product ranges, product development and distribution channels. Additionally, Bill has served as a Director and Chairman on private companies and joint venture boards.

Jo Hume
Investment Analyst
ME, Dip PE, BE (hons)

Jo Hume is an investment analyst for CVC Mangers. She has 15 years experience in the energy and environmental sectors. Jo joined CVC from AGL where she was a senior energy analyst (commercial). Prior to that she ran the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development, managed sustainable energy commercialisation programs for the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority, was a market analyst for the NZ electricity market administrator and worked in the oil and gas industry as a petroleum engineer. She is a director of the Australia-NZ Climate Change and Business Centre and has a clear understanding of the conditions required to commercialise sustainable businesses. Relevant awards - Winston Churchill Fellowship, Premier’s award for environment and education, Queens Trust Forum participant.