EWOV Limited
Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) Limited (EWOV Limited) is a company limited by guarantee. It operates in accordance with and observes the roles, functions, powers and obligations set out in the EWOV Constitution and the EWOV Charter.
EWOV Limited was founded in August 1995 as Electricity Industry Ombudsman (Victoria) Limited (EIOV Limited) by six electricity companies—CitiPower Limited, Solaris Power Limited, Powercor Australia Limited, United Energy Limited, Eastern Energy Limited and PowerNet Victoria. The original electricity participants were later joined by other electricity, gas and water participants, and EIOV Limited became EWOV Limited.
EWOV Limited’s mission is to receive, investigate and facilitate the resolution of complaints and disputes between customers of electricity, gas and water services in Victoria and its participating companies.
To fulfil its mission, it has set up a dispute resolution scheme called the Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) (EWOV) and appointed an Ombudsman vested with authority under the Charter to receive, investigate and facilitate the resolution of complaints.
Board role and composition
The EWOV Limited Board is responsible for the business affairs and property of the company, including corporate governance, the setting of budgets, risk management, strategic planning, appointing the Ombudsman and ensuring the Ombudsman's independence.
The Board is made up of:
- four directors appointed by the Scheme Participants
- four directors appointed from groups representing customers of electricity, gas or water services or raising public interest issues relevant to electricity, gas or water services
- an independent Chairperson.
Chairperson
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Hon. Tony Staley AO Chairperson, appointed November 1998
Made an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2007, Tony Staley is also Chairman of the internet regulator, auDA, the Cooperative Research Centres Association of Australia, and the Board of Advice, Partners in Performance International. A former Commonwealth Government Minister, he is educated in law and political science. |
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Directors
| Carolyn Bond Consumer Director, appointed June 2007 Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Action Law Centre, Carolyn Bond brings to the Board over 20 years experience working in the consumer advocacy field. A past Chair of the Consumers’ Federation of Australia, she represents consumer interests on a range of bodies. |
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| Neil Brennan Industry Director, appointed August 2002 Managing Director of Western Water, Neil Brennan has over 30 years experience in the water industry. A Past President of the Institute of Water Administration, he is also a director of the Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Project. |
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| Peter Gartlan Consumer Director, appointed 2012 Peter Gartlan is executive officer of Financial and Consumer Rights Council, the peak body for Financial Counsellors in Victoria. Peter also sits on the boards of Consumer Action Law Centre and Consumers Federation of Australia. Peter is a former consumer representative of the General Insurance Code Compliance Committee and former board director of Insurance Brokers Disputes. |
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| Claire Hamilton Industry Director, appointed December 2011 Claire is General Manager, Risk and Assurance, for transmission and distribution business SP AusNet. Within SP AusNet, she is responsible for improving operations by leading enterprise risk management and providing an independent assurance service. A chartered accountant, Claire brings over 15 years experience in the energy industry. |
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| David Headberry Consumer Director, appointed June 2002 David Headberry is Managing Director, Headberry Partners P/L, which specializes in assisting energy customers secure low-cost, reliable energy supplies and providing customer input to government and regulatory reviews and investigations on energy supply issues. A qualified engineer, he is also the Public Officer for Major Energy Users Inc, a national group which represents the views of major energy consumers. |
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| Josephine Monger Industry Director, appointed June 2011 Josephine is the Head of Customer Experience for AGL Energy and has over 15 years experience in the Retail Energy industry. Prior to joining AGL in 2008, she worked in Management Consulting, delivering business strategy and change programs for large energy companies across Australia, UK and Europe. She is also a Director of the Energy and Water Ombudsman of NSW. |
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| Mark O’Brien Consumer Director, appointed June 2004 Chief Executive Officer of the Tenants Union of Victoria, Mark O’Brien has worked in tenancy advice and advocacy, in both paid and unpaid capacities, since 1987. He previously worked in government and the construction industry as a civil and structural draftsperson. |
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| Christina Wilson Industry Director, appointed February 2011 As Retail Executive – Customer Sales and Operations, Christina leads Origin Energy’s consumer facing business. She joined Origin Energy in 2009 from senior roles in the banking and retail sectors. A chemical engineer by profession, Christina commenced her career as a process engineer and quality leader. |
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| Christopher See Company Secretary, appointed October 2008 |