The Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Claudia Brumme to its Board as the organisation’s first Independent Director, a position established to ensure the interests and perspectives of regional Queensland are represented at the highest level of the organisation’s governance.
As Queensland’s electricity, transmission and energy storage projects continue to be developed across regional communities, QREC’s Board identified the importance of including an independent regional voice to help guide the organisation’s strategic direction and strengthen engagement with the communities hosting energy investment and important industries that rely on the electricity we produce.
Ms Brumme brings extensive experience across private industry, government relations, economic development, investment attraction, supply chains and enabling infrastructure, together with strong business networks across Northern Queensland and the State.
QREC Chairman Joseph O’Brien said Ms Brumme’s appointment reflected the organisation’s commitment to ensuring regional Queensland and our major industrial sectors remain central to energy policy and investment.
“Queensland’s new wave of electricity infrastructure investment is being delivered in regional Queensland and it powers our industrial development which is why it is essential that QREC’s board has strong voices from regional communities and a deep understanding of Queensland’s key industries, Mr O’Brien said.
“Claudia has an exceptional understanding of regional economic development, Queensland’s key industrial sectors, and the infrastructure, supply chains, workforce and investment needed to turn major project opportunities into lasting benefits for local communities.
“Her leadership advocating for Northern Queensland’s investment pipeline, particularly across critical minerals, mining, and new energy infrastructure including transmission, will be invaluable to QREC, its members, and energy policy making in our state.
“Electricity supply development delivers more than additional power generation capacity. It creates regional jobs, supports local businesses and key export industries, strengthens infrastructure and provide new opportunities for communities hosting investment.
“Claudia’s appointment reinforces QREC’s commitment to ensuring regional Queensland and our key value-adding industries are at the centre of the State’s energy and economic future.”
Since May 2021, Ms Brumme has served as Chief Executive Officer of Townsville Enterprise Limited, the peak economic development and destination management organisation for Townsville North Queensland.
Working collaboratively with governments, industry and local stakeholders, she has helped build an investment pipeline valued at approximately $40 billion, predominantly across critical minerals, mining, and renewable energy projects.
Before joining Townsville Enterprise, Ms Brumme was General Manager of the Port of Townsville – a key export port for resources and agriculture in Northern Australia – for almost a decade. She previously worked internationally in marketing and business development for major global companies, including Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, Novartis Consumer Health and Johnson & Johnson, and supported the expansion of Australian natural cosmetics business Larissa Bright Australia into Asian markets.
Ms Brumme said she welcomed the opportunity to contribute to QREC’s work and strengthening the connection between renewable energy and electricity infrastructure investment and regional economic development.
“Regional Queensland is where much of Queensland’s energy future is being built, making it vital that regional perspectives are reflected in industry leadership and decision-making,” Ms Brumme said.
“Regional Queensland has the natural resources, industrial capability, skilled communities and export infrastructure vital to Queensland’s economic prosperity and energy future.
“I look forward to working with QREC’s members, Board, and stakeholders to convert new electricity supply investment into enduring economic and community benefits for Northern Queensland and regional communities across the State.”
Ms Brumme holds a double bachelor’s degree in international management and business with honours from universities in Germany, the United States and Spain. She completed a leadership program at Harvard Business School in 2019 and the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in 2022. Her achievements have been recognised through several awards, including being named among Queensland’s Top 20 Business Leaders Under 40, winning the Townsville Australian Institute of Management Young Manager Award, the Townsville Young Chamber of Commerce Young Employee Award and the North Queensland Emerging Export Award.