NAIF announces new Chief Executive Officer

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility’s (NAIF) has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer. Craig Doyle will start at NAIF in June 2022 and be based in Cairns.

Craig has extensive executive, operational and project funding experience across multiple industries in northern Australia.

Craig’s experience includes being CEO of Gladstone Ports Corporation during a period of unprecedented growth from 2013 to 2016 and Executive General Manager of Australia’s largest sugar producer Wilmar. Craig was also the Global Technical Head for Wilmar’s international sugar operations.

Craig was CEO of Mackay Regional Council for nearly five years and is well versed in the needs of regional communities and key infrastructure requirements.

Chair of NAIF, Tracey Hayes, said “NAIF will benefit from Craig’s long experience in managing and developing important pieces of northern infrastructure.

“Craig will build on the excellent work of the NAIF team which has led to $3.3 Billion in Investment Decisions and over $2 Billion in contractually closed projects.”

“These projects are having an enormously positive impact on people’s lives in northern Australia.”

Craig Doyle said, “I am looking forward to continuing to build on NAIF’s record of successfully developing projects in northern Australia.

“I am impressed by what has been achieved so far with the delivery of significant investment commitments across critical sectors of the northern economy.”

“The impact of these projects shows the enormous potential of NAIF with projects forecast to generate $25 Billion in economic impact and support over 13,000 jobs.”

Mr Doyle added, “I am especially excited by the continued implementation of the NAIF reforms which include the ability to deal with a greater number of proponents across northern Australia.”

NAIF’s former Acting CEO Amanda Copping departed the organisation on March 23 to pursue a new career opportunity.

Ms Copping has been a senior member of NAIF since 2017. As a key member of the organisation’s investment team and Chief Investment Officer she has played an important role in the organisation’s success to date.

Ms Copping said: “NAIF has helped bring much-needed investment into northern Australia that will deliver key infrastructure projects across the region. Many of these projects would not have happened without NAIF’s support and I am proud to have played a small role in bringing that finance and infrastructure to the north.”

In the time before Craig starts at NAIF, Mark Darrough will be acting CEO. Mark is on leave from his role as the Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure Framework and Delivery at the National Water Grid Authority.