Our Executive

Mr Learmonth has more than 30 years’ experience as a financier and investor, having worked in Australia, Asia and Europe across clean energy and major infrastructure projects, as well as pioneering social impact investments. Prior to taking the role at the CEFC, Mr Learmonth established Social Ventures Australia’s Impact Investing business which included raising impact and affordable housing funds as well as launching Australia’s first Social Impact Bond in 2013. Previously an Executive Director of Macquarie Group, Mr Learmonth has investment banking experience in Sydney, Hong Kong and London. He established and led various Macquarie businesses, notably European renewable energy and carbon credit investments, as well as cross-border structured finance and asset financing in Asia and Europe. Mr Learmonth has degrees in Law and Commerce from the University of Queensland.

Mr Johnston is responsible for internal and external risk management. This includes the credit analysis and risk assessment of new investment opportunities, as well as the management and reporting of the credit and investment risks within the existing investment portfolio. Mr Johnston has more than 30 years’ experience working in the Australian banking industry for both Australian and international banks. He has led a number of origination teams, primarily in the leveraged and acquisition space, and has participated in the debt financings for a number of management and leveraged buyouts. Prior to joining the CEFC, Mr Johnston was head of credit at Lloyds International, previously BOSI International. Mr Johnston holds a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University and a Graduate Diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia. Mr Johnston transitioned to a part time role with the CEFC after year end.

Ms Leong is Chief Asset Management Officer with responsibility for the management of a diverse and growing portfolio of debt, equity, funds and early-stage investments. Ms Leong has extensive experience in infrastructure, project and structured finance and asset, portfolio and funds management, having invested in infrastructure on behalf of pension funds. Prior to joining the CEFC, Ms Leong worked at Deutsche Bank, Macquarie Group and ANZ Bank, in Australia and the UK. Ms Leong has a Master of Laws (Corporate and Commercial) from the University of NSW, a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Business (Finance) from the University of Technology, Sydney. She is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Theau is responsible for the origination and execution of CEFC investments, including leading the successful financing of a number of market-leading renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Mr Theau has more than 25 years’ experience in delivering large transactions in infrastructure, utilities and public/private partnership, with a particular focus on the clean energy transition. Prior to joining the CEFC, Mr Theau worked in Europe and Australia in financial advisory, funds management, asset management, commercial and investment banking, including with Hastings Funds Management, Westpac, ABN AMRO, Macquarie Bank, UBS and BNP Paribas. Mr Theau holds a Master of Engineering from École Centrale de Paris, France.

Mr Tolson provides legal and company secretary support to the Board and Executive with respect to CEFC investments, corporate legal matters, governance and reporting. Mr Tolson is an experienced leader within the financial services industry. As General Counsel for Credit Suisse in Australia, he worked across a broad range of complex financing, investment banking and capital markets transactions. He previously held senior legal positions with National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. In private practice, Mr Tolson worked for Linklaters as a banking and finance solicitor in London and Singapore. Mr Tolson completed his legal studies in England and is admitted to practice in New South Wales, England and Wales.

Mr Whalen joined the CEFC in September 2021, with responsibility for internal and external risk management, credit analysis and risk assessment, on new and existing investments. Mr Whalen has more than 25 years’ experience in finance, including transaction origination and execution and portfolio management. He has served on the boards of several renewable energy projects, as well as Flinders Ports, where he was Treasury Committee chair. Prior to joining the CEFC, Mr Whalen was an Executive Director at Infrastructure Capital Group, and held positions at ANZ, Macquarie Group, Bankers Trust and King + Wood Mallesons. Mr Whalen holds Bachelor of Commerce and Law degrees from the University of Queensland, is admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.