Enova Community Energy co-founder Alison Crook completes tenure as Chair, replaced by John Taberner. 

After her six-year tenure as Chair of Enova Community Energy Alison Crook AO has stepped down as required by the Company constitution she helped design and been replaced in the role by John Taberner. 

Alison was the founding Chairperson of Enova Community Energy and one of a team of four who:

✔️ carried out the feasibility study;

✔️ developed the business plan;

✔️ prepared and lodged the Prospectus;

✔️ obtained the retail licence; and,

✔️ raised $4 million in capital for Australia’s first community-owned energy retailer.

She has played a key role in the establishment and strategic direction of the social enterprise company since its inception and was the initial MD of its not-for-profit arm, Enova Community. 

A passionate advocate for community-powered energy

Alison has been a passionate advocate for the Northern Rivers region, and all communities, to meet their own energy needs with decentralised locally generated and stored renewables, without the need for fossil fuels. She built relationships with most of the community energy groups around the country, sharing information with groups from WA through SA to Natimuk, Mornington Peninsula, Nowra, Albury and many more.  

“The vision for Enova Community Energy remains as relevant and important as ever. It has been broadened to include communities everywhere, and it is embraced by the Enova team and almost 11,000 customers to the Enova approach in New South Wales and South East Queensland. 

Alison Crook with then Mayor of Byron Shire Simon Richardson and fellow Enova founding CEO Steve Harris at the community picnic in 2015 which gave community consensus to go ahead and launch Enova.  

 “I want to thank everyone who has supported Enova over the years, or given time, effort and energy. It has been a privilege and honour to co-create this organisation that brings an ethical alternative into a rapidly changing industry,” said Alison. 

Alison also led two subsequent rounds of capital raising, one through equity crowdfunding and one through debt.  

John Taberner steps into the role of Chair of Enova Community Energy

John Taberner steps into the role following his 20-year career as Partner with Herbert Smith Freehills where he founded and lead the firm’s National Environmental Group. 

Alison Crook hands over the role of Chair of Enova Community Energy to John Taberner at the company's recent AGM.

John has been a valued member of the Enova Board since January 2018. He has recently served as Deputy Chair and the Board resolved that John would take over as Chair. This resolution was passed at the Company’s recent Annual General Meeting held on 9 November 2021. 

“A system which enables communities and regions to generate, store and share renewable energy on localised grids is long overdue in Australia,” said John. 

“Regional and community-based ‘distributed’ renewable energy systems such as Enova wishes to advance can help to address not only the climate consequences of fossil-fuel dependence but also the environmental consequences of dependence solely on a centralised grid.

John said that Enova presents an opportunity to address these two sets of consequences.

"That opportunity gives me inspiration which I hope will justify continuing customer support of Enova and will honour Alison’s contribution," he said.    

Alison will be continuing on the Board of Enova Community Ltd, Enova’s not-for-profit arm. 

For more information about Enova's Board and People click here.