Directors
David Dowling
David Dowling was appointed a director of Reliance Rail in January 2020. Mr Dowling has over 12 years of investment banking and infrastructure investment experience. He is an Investment Director in AMP Capital's Infrastructure Equity business and is responsible for the management of existing investments across the transportation sector. He is a director of Port Headland International Airport and an alternate director of Australia Pacific Airports Corporation. Prior to joining AMP Capital, David worked in various roles at Sydney Airport, MAp Airports and Macquarie Capital. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney and is a Graduate of the AICD.
Martyn Jackson
Martyn Jackson was appointed a director of Reliance Rail in June 2009. Mr Jackson has a long involvement in PPP's having overseen the construction and transition into full operational service of a number of Australian projects. He is currently on the board of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit PPP as well as a number of social infrastructure PPP's.
Robert Rust
Robert Rust was appointed a director Reliance Rail in April 2018. Mr Rust is a Civil Engineer with an MBA and an Associate of the AICD. He has spent the majority of his 40-year career working on major projects for both the private and public sectors, including a number of PPP’s in the economic and social infrastructure sectors, and also working across the full range of delivery models.
Vaughan Wallace
Vaughan joined Amber Infrastructure in 2020 and leads Amber’s business in the Asia Pacific region. Focussed on the development and long term management of projects across the infrastructure spectrum including social infrastructure, transport and energy sectors, Vaughan draws on more than 20 years’ experience in the development of major infrastructure projects across the globe. Vaughan is a member of a number of Amber’s Investment Committees and sits as a Director on several investment vehicle boards. Vaughan previously worked at Capella Capital, Babcock & Brown, ABN AMRO and P&O Ports.
Jiren Zhou
Jiren Zhou was appointed a director of Reliance Rail in December 2017. Mr Zhou has over 14 years' experience in infrastructure investments, funds management and financial services. At AMP Capital, Mr Zhou is responsible for executing new infrastructure investment opportunities and managing existing portfolio assets. He has led transactions in various infrastructure sectors including rolling stock, airport, energy & utility, logistics and social PPP in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Asia. Mr Zhou holds directorships in a number of PPP projects including Victorian Schools and Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison.
Management
Chad Smithies - Chief Executive Officer
Chad has 20 years of commercial, engineering and program management experience in the rail and aerospace industries in Australia and the UK. Prior to being appointed Chief Executive Officer, Chad led the contract management function for Reliance Rail through the end of the delivery phase and into steady state operations with a focus on safety, performance and asset management.
Chad’s previous roles have included leading operational readiness and reform programs for Sydney Trains (Australia), managing rolling stock leases for Angel Trains (UK) and the sales and marketing of small satellites for Surrey Satellite Technology (UK). Chad initially qualified as a commercial pilot and holds an Honours degree in Aerospace Engineering.
Louise Iida - Chief Financial Officer
Louise has 20 years of experience across a broad range of financial roles in public practice, corporate treasury and general financial management. For the last nine years, she has specialised in debt raising and refinancing in the rail and oil and gas industries.
Louise is a Chartered Accountant and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Taxation (Canada). Louise is a strong supporter of the development of green and sustainable finance markets.