Executive team

Our executive team is positioned to fulfil our new vision: to be trusted to bring the energy today and build a cleaner tomorrow.



AusNet Chief Executive Officer, David Smales

David Smales

Chief Executive Officer

David joined AusNet on 15 November 2023 as CEO and has more than 40 years’ experience in the energy sector gained in Australia, Asia, and the United Kingdom.

Prior to joining, AusNet he was Chief Operating Officer of China Light and Power, based in Hong Kong, and was the inaugural CEO of Energy Queensland Limited. Most recently, he has been focused on advisory projects in the UK energy sector. David is an experienced CEO with deep industry knowledge, having led and managed regulated electricity transmission and distribution businesses, natural gas infrastructure assets, power generation, and energy services businesses.

David holds a Master of Business Administration from Warwick Business School, UK, a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering) from Sheffield Hallam University, UK, and is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia.

Charlie Boyes

Chief Financial Officer

Charlie is Chief Financial Officer of AusNet and is an experienced energy industry professional with expertise in financial and regulatory strategy and in-depth knowledge of the management and operations of regulated networks.

Charlie joined AusNet as Chief Financial Officer in August 2025. Prior to this, Charlie was Chief Financial Officer of Essential Energy, one of Australia’s largest electricity network service providers responsible for delivering electricity to almost one million customers across 95% of New South Wales and parts of Southern Queensland.

Preceding his time with Essential Energy, Charlie was Deputy Chief Financial Officer of AusNet. Charlie commenced his career with Deloitte advising government, energy and infrastructure clients on a range of corporate finance and strategic matters.

He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Human Resource Management) from Latrobe University, a Masters in Applied Finance from Macquarie University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

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