Former NT chief minister Michael Gunner to become FFI executive

Fortescue Metals’ green energy division has hired a former high-profile MP to ensure its wind and solar ‘ambitions become reality’.

Michael Gunner and sons Hudson and Nash, ahead of his new role working with Fortescue Future Industries Picture: Glenn Campbell

Fortescue Metals’ green energy division has hired former Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner as an executive – three months after he resigned from parliament.

Mr Gunner, the chief minister from 2016 until May, will lead Fortescue Future Industries’ northern Australia operations from November, when his period of work restriction under the NT’s ministerial code of conduct comes to an end.

Andrew Forrest, Fortescue’s chairman, said Mr Gunner had extensive experience working in the country’s north, which would make him a valuable asset.

“Bringing in someone of Mr Gunner’s standing – particularly in the NT – and his personal qualities goes to the heart of our vision for FFI,” he said.

“We see enormous potential in the NT, with abundant wind and solar energy, and a community enthusiastic to embrace renewable energy and the employment intensive industries that come with it … It is people like Michael Gunner who will help us ensure that our ambitions become a reality.”

FFI has seen the departure of a number of senior executives in recent months. The Australian reported the company had lost its North American boss, Paul Browning, in September after only nine months in the job.

Former AGL Energy boss Andy Vesey has stepped in to the role after Mr Browning’s exit.

Julie Shuttleworth stepped down from the top FFI job as part of a management reshuffle earlier this year that saw Mr Forrest return as executive chairman.

But the company has also managed to snare Guy Debelle, the Reserve Bank’s deputy governor until March. Dr Debelle – who was considered to be the lead candidate to replace Philip Lowe as governor of the central bank as early as next year – is now FFI’s chief financial officer.

“The pitch from Dr Forrest and FFI was simple and straight to the heart – do it for the kids,” Mr Gunner said on Sunday. “By going hard commercially at real zero, at FFI we help make the genuine impacts on climate change that the world needs.”