Australian Renewable Fuels (Arfuels) has appointed John Lillywhite to a new senior executive position, Chief Executive Officer – Australia.

Lillywhite, previously the founding Chief Executive of Western Australia’s major power generation company Verve Energy, will be accountable for the successful management and future development of Arfuels’ Australian energy business.

Arfuels has biodiesel plants at Largs Bay, South Australia, and Picton, Western Australia and has future development plans in other Australian states and the United States, according to Managing Director, Darryl Butcher.

“John’s demonstrated ability to plan and lead change in the dynamic energy industry has earned him the respect of his industry colleagues throughout Australia”, Butcher said. “His move to Arfuels fulfils a desire to participate directly in the renewable energy field for which he has a strong passion and a long record of success.”

“His appointment is the first step in a major restructure planned by Arfuels to optimise returns to shareholders from its Australian operations and to expand the business into the larger and potentially more lucrative United States biofuels market.”

John Lillywhite is Arfuels’ new domestic Chief Executive Officer, concentrating on its Australian business interests.

Anzon Australia foundation director and deputy chairman Jean-Marc Georgy has resigned from the company for personal reasons.

Secretary, Tony Strasser, said Georgy has contributed to Anzon’s significant growth in the past three years. He said the Anzon Board will be nominating a replacement in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Andrew Denver has been appointed as a non executive director of Anzon from 1 November. Denver is currently Chairman of Universal Biosensors Pty Limited, a private company engaged in the development and production of medical diagnostic products and is a non executive director of Cathrx Limited, an ASX listed medical device company.

“Denver was the Managing Director of Memtec Limited for a period of 10 years”, Strasser said. “In that role, he managed the growth and development of this material science based membrane development company from near start up to a New York Stock Exchange listed company with revenues in excess of US$250 million.”

He said Denver’s skills and experience, particularly in relation to developing, implementing and monitoring corporate strategy, will add significant value to the Anzon Board.

Explorationist Paul Senycia and finance controller Terry Rodda have joined the management team of Perth-based company Oilex.

Senycia and Rodda have joined Oilex from Woodside Energy where they gained extensive experience in the international oil and gas exploration and production business, working in areas that have particular relevance to Oilex’s international activities, Managing Director Bruce McCarthy said.

“Paul is an explorationist and spent 17 years with Woodside, most recently as head of evaluation responsible for the company’s worldwide exploration and new ventures including Australia, Africa, and Gulf of Mexico. From 1997-2000, Paul was seconded into PDO, the Omani national joint venture company based in Oman.”

“Given his involvement in Oman and in Timor Sea and Carnarvon Basin exploration and development programmes, Paul will provide insight and direction to the evaluation of the company’s exploration assets.”

Terry Rodda spent 20 years with Woodside, most recently as project manager and finance manager. “Terry has a wealth of experience in production sharing contracts, joint venture accounting and audit that is directly applicable to the joint ventures operated by Oilex”, McCarthy said. “Terry will support the finance and administration activities of the country offices in India and those that are being established in Muscat, Oman and Dili, Timor-Leste.”

Paul Senycia (left) and Terry Rodda have joined Oilex from Woodside.