Executive leadership
Paul Martyn
Director-General
BA(Hons), LLB(Hons), MSc
Paul Martyn is the Director-General of the Department of Energy and Climate (DEC). With nearly 3 decades in economic policy and reform, Paul is leading Queensland’s transformation to clean, reliable and more affordable renewable energy; and heading up the state’s climate action plan to reduce emissions. He is also responsible for government procurement, supporting local jobs and businesses.
Prior to DEC, Paul was the Director-General of the Department of Energy and Public Works and Chief Executive Officer of Trade and Investment Queensland, where he spearheaded investment attraction in hydrogen and renewable energy.
Paul has led strategies to encourage growth and investment in key Queensland sectors, including energy, resources, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, defence industries and building.
In the Governor-General’s 2022 COVID-19 Honours List, Paul was awarded a Public Service Medal for his leadership of Queensland’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Taskforce during the pandemic.
Irene Violet
Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services
BHealthSc (Rehab Couns), BA (Psych), MBA, GAICD
Irene has been the Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services since May 2022.
Irene has more than 20 years’ experience working in state and federal governments, largely focused on service transformation and delivery. She has a keen interest in ensuring programs are people-centric and that digital technologies are leveraged to enhance customer and employee experience.
Irene has led policy and programs in communities, digital economy, employment, small business and training. She has also led Queensland Shared Services, modernising and optimising the shared services used by agencies and departments. Irene has also held previous senior executive roles, with responsibilities for corporate services, customer services and specialist advisory teams, and has been a member of the Workplace Health and Safety Board of Queensland.
Andrew Bennett
Deputy Director-General, Queensland Government Procurement
BA (CompSc), MBA
Andrew was appointed Deputy Director-General, Procurement division in July 2024.
Andrew brings 26 years’ experience as a public sector leader, always with a focus on developing strong and productive relationships with stakeholders, peers, partners and staff across divisions and agencies. Throughout his time with the Queensland Public Service, Andrew has actively sought roles in organisations that help government give back to the community and make Queensland a stronger state and better for Queenslanders.
Prior to joining the Department of Energy and Climate, Andrew held the post of Executive Director Procurement and Facilities, and Chief Procurement Officer for the Queensland Department of Education with responsibility for purchasing and procurement as well as corporate fleet, facilities and office accommodation, and the utilities/sustainability team.
Andrew is an active participant and advocate for procurement reform and has a passion for ensuring that the profession is recognised as a critical enabler of service delivery and positive outcomes for clients.
Alana Barlow
Deputy Director-General, Hydrogen and Future Fuels
LLB
Alana Barlow is an experienced business development executive in the hydrogen sector.
Prior to joining the Department of Energy and Climate as the Deputy Director-General of the Hydrogen and Future Fuels division, Alana managed the National Hydrogen Department for a Japanese trading house with interests in energy, mineral resources, infrastructure and chemicals. Alana is also an experienced company director for private and industry organisations, including the Australian Hydrogen Council.
Alana’s work in the hydrogen industry has focused on domestic decarbonisation in hard-to- abate sectors, and hydrogen derivatives for export markets. Some of the initiatives led by Alana include regional preliminary master planning for enabling hydrogen ecosystem infrastructure, developing green shipping corridors for Australia and New Zealand, as well as leading a hydrogen production and utilisation project to final investment decision and delivery.
Prior to joining the hydrogen industry, Alana worked as an Australian commercial lawyer and company secretarial professional in a variety of sectors including power generation and infrastructure, mineral resources, and diverse international trade, in addition to generalised mergers and acquisitions for cross-border transactions. Alana holds a Bachelor of Laws, and is admitted to the NSW Supreme Court Roll of Lawyers.
Carlye Sycz
Deputy Director-General, Climate
BA(PolSci), GradCertGov&PubPolicy
Carlye Sycz is a highly experienced senior executive with a track record of success in key policy and reform roles.
Carlye has over 15 years’ experience in the Queensland Government, focusing on strategic policy development, coordination and community and stakeholder engagement. Carlye’s policy background spans economic and social portfolios, where she has delivered policy change and program implementation across the resources and energy sectors, as well as in emergency management and First Nations community development.
Prior to joining the Department of Energy and Climate, Carlye led the development of the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan and the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy. These key sector transformation plans highlight how Government will partner with industry to drive sustainable economic growth while creating the clean economy jobs of the future.
Graham Atkins
Deputy Director-General, Public Works
BASc (Quantity Surveying), ADip App Sc (Building)
Graham has vast experience in the building and construction industry, spanning a number of decades. Graham has contributed to the Executive Leadership Team in his role as Deputy Director-General since joining the department in July 2011.
In this role, Graham has led the State’s primary building and construction service provider to deliver major projects, building maintenance, and facility management services for client agencies and departments. With offices across Queensland, including regional and remote communities, he has been strongly focused on developing an agile, flexible workforce while driving a ‘customer’s first’ culture. In addition, Graham has worked collaboratively with industry stakeholders to deliver on key legislative reforms for the building industry.
Graham has held senior executive positions within other government departments, including Deputy Director-General of the Department of Education and Training, where he was responsible for infrastructure planning and delivery. Graham holds a Queensland Open Builders Licence.
Ainslie Barron
Assistant Director-General, Building Policy
Ainslie was appointed as Assistant Director-General, Building Policy in April 2022 after acting in the role since September 2021, bringing many years of strategic leadership experience within public sector environments. Prior to commencing in this role, Ainslie was the Executive Director in Building Policy.
As the Queensland Government’s representative on the Australian Building Codes Board, Ainslie works with officials nationally on matters relevant to the building portfolio.
Ainslie has 20 years’ experience in state and federal government, including working with a national employer association. Ainslie has extensive central agency experience and has worked on significant economic and social policy portfolios developing and delivering high priority reforms for the Queensland Government. Her work is supported by academic qualifications including a Master of Public Policy from the Australian National University.
Paul Hyde
Assistant Director-General, QBuild
Paul was appointed Assistant Director-General of QBuild in May 2022. Prior to this, he spent 12 years with the Queensland Police Service, the Public Safety Business Agency and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services where he worked in the Asset Management and Capital Program divisions.
Starting his career as an apprentice carpenter in Cairns, Paul has 40 years’ experience in the building industry, mostly in government roles. After working with local builders across the region he joined the then State Works Department as a carpenter, quickly progressing to Supervisor, Senior Supervisor, District Manager, Regional Manager and Client Services Director working on Thursday Island and in Bamaga, Roma, Mount Isa and Toowoomba.
Paul has extensive experience in building contract and strategic asset management and remote area service delivery. He has managed large and diverse teams, working in challenging and complex environments. He is a recent graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
- Last updated
- 22 October 2024