I'm a commercially focused Non-Executive Director and former ASX-listed CEO. I help boards make better strategic decisions, manage risk, allocate capital effectively and accelerate sustainable growth — bringing practical, evidence-based judgement to both high-growth and complex operating environments.
The Proposition
An experienced Non-Executive Director, former ASX CEO and strategic advisor who understands capital, technology and transformation — with particular depth across energy transition and infrastructure.
I've spent more than three decades at the intersection of boards, investors, capital markets, emerging technologies and commercial growth. What I bring to a board table isn't a title — it's a pragmatic commercial lens that helps an organisation understand not only where it wants to go, but how it actually gets there.
What I Bring to the Board Table
Chairs and nomination committees are assessing strategic judgement, governance capability, commercial oversight, risk management and the ability to help management make better decisions over the long term. Here is where I contribute.
Independent strategic oversight that helps boards define long-term direction, evaluate growth opportunities and translate strategy into commercially executable outcomes. Experience spanning ASX-listed companies, high-growth ventures and capital-intensive industries allows me to challenge thinking while supporting sustainable growth.
Disciplined governance, enterprise risk oversight and sound commercial judgement applied to complex board decisions. Experience across listed, private and purpose-led organisations means I can balance innovation, investment and growth with appropriate accountability and risk management.
Deep expertise across capital markets, investment readiness, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and capital allocation. Having raised more than $30 million in growth capital and led a business through significant value creation, I understand how boards evaluate investment decisions and build long-term shareholder value.
Helping organisations improve commercial performance, scale operations and unlock sustainable growth. Experience commercialising innovative technologies, leading business transformation and driving operational performance allows me to guide management from strategy through to successful execution.
Contemporary expertise across clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital transformation and emerging technologies — enabling boards to better understand disruption, assess future opportunities and position their organisations for long-term competitiveness.
Trusted relationships with investors, governments, regulators, strategic partners and executive teams to create alignment around major strategic initiatives. Sustainable value creation is rarely achieved through strategy alone; it requires confidence, credibility and strong stakeholder engagement.
Sector Depth
My natural focus sits across energy, decarbonisation, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and industrial technology — though the commercial capability transfers well beyond those industries.
Advising boards, investors and executive teams on commercial strategy, capital raising and strategic transactions across utility-scale solar, battery energy storage, sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon energy projects — structuring the commercial and investment pathways that get developments to financial close.
Investment banking and corporate finance capability applied to capital raising, M&A origination and execution, investment readiness and due diligence. I understand both sides of the table — how investors assess an opportunity, and what a business must do to become genuinely investable.
Taking technologies and businesses from strategy through commercialisation, scale and international expansion — advanced materials, energy technologies, digital infrastructure and data centres, and the digital transformation of critical assets.
Board & Executive Experience
Purpose-led organisation generating more than $50 million in annual revenue, delivering employment, allied health and disability support services.
Boutique investment banking and M&A advisory firm specialising in capital markets, strategic transactions and investment readiness across the energy transition sector.
ASX-listed advanced materials and life sciences company delivering commercial innovations across energy storage and diagnostics.
Infrastructure consulting firm delivering digital transformation, automation and operational improvement across transport and critical infrastructure.
Specialist advisory firm providing engineering, commercial, regulatory and economic consulting to the oil, gas and energy sectors.
Global professional services firm providing audit, tax, advisory and transaction services across the energy and resources sector.
Global technology and consulting leader delivering digital transformation, business strategy and enterprise technology solutions.
Ways to Engage
Some organisations need an independent voice around the board table. Others need someone in the business for a defined period to solve a complex commercial problem. I do both.
Independent governance, strategic oversight and commercial judgement on listed, private, PE and VC-backed, and purpose-led boards — with particular value where capital allocation, transformation or energy transition sits on the agenda.
Certified Advisor through the Advisory Board Centre. Working alongside founders and management teams where a formal directorship isn't the right structure, but experienced commercial counsel is.
Stepping into a business to lead commercial transformation, capital raising, M&A, international partnerships or the commercialisation of technology — with a clear mandate, a defined horizon and accountability for the outcome.
Owning a single high-stakes initiative end to end: a raise, a transaction, a market entry, a path to financial close. Strategy is the easy part — I'm engaged for the execution.
Selected Achievements
Insights
Writing on the questions boards and investors are actually wrestling with across Australia's energy investment environment — published regularly on capital allocation, the energy transition, data centres and governance of emerging industries.
Australia's top 30 super funds have deployed just $771 million — 0.8% of the $99 billion invested in renewable energy projects since 2020 — despite sitting on $4.5 trillion in retirement savings. Development capital is landing in a tougher market than many expect.
Read the article →
Board Biography
Derek Thomson is a Non-Executive Director, former ASX-listed CEO and strategic advisor with more than 30 years' experience across capital markets, energy transition, infrastructure, technology and advanced manufacturing.
He works with boards, investors and executive teams navigating growth, transformation, capital raising, M&A and complex strategic decisions. As Chief Executive Officer of ASX-listed AnteoTech, Derek led the transformation of a research-driven organisation into a globally commercial business, raising more than $30 million in growth capital, establishing European manufacturing capability and contributing to a peak 35-fold increase in shareholder value.
Derek currently leads clean energy and global energy advisory at InterFinancial, a member of Clairfield International, where he originates and executes M&A and capital markets transactions across renewables, battery energy storage, sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon energy. He served for seven years as a Non-Executive Director of HELP Enterprises, a $50 million purpose-led enterprise, sitting on its Strategy and Allied Health Committees.
Earlier in his career Derek held senior leadership roles with KPMG, IBM, Oracle, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Telstra, and served as Chief Financial Officer of Time Inc. (South Pacific). He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Certified Advisor with the Advisory Board Centre.
He is selective about the organisations he joins, and brings an inquisitive, evidence-led approach that builds the shared conviction boards, management and investors need to move forward together. Based in Brisbane, Derek works nationally and internationally.
Let's Talk
If you're a Chair, CEO, investor, founder or search partner considering a board appointment, an advisory engagement or an interim mandate, I'd welcome a conversation — whether or not there's an immediate brief on the table.
Thirty minutes, no obligation — an initial conversation about your board, your business or the mandate you're scoping.
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