Meet the Board

mike utsler scidev board

Michael Utsler

BSc (Petroleum Engineering), GAICD, MAICD

Non-Executive Chairman

Term of Office:  Director since February 2024

Independent:  Yes

Experience:  Mr. Utsler has worked in the energy industry for more that 45 years across multiple companies and international locales.  During his career, he has built deep knowledge and expertise across the energy sector and adjacent industries.  He has experience across multiple private and publicly listed companies and brings a broad range of skills and experiences gained through his career.  Mr. Utsler has particular expertise in building high performing businesses and organizations through the development of people, risk and crisis management, project delivery, technology solutions development and application, and corporate governance and leadership.  He has continued to expand his experience in areas of low carbon and alternative energy solutions, sustainability, and waste management areas of technologies.

 

Mr. Utsler has held senior and executive leadership positions with Amoco, BP, Woodside Energy, New Fortress Energy, and Otto Energy in multiple locations globally.  He is a current non-executive director for Santos Ltd, and a former non-executive director for Oil Search Ltd, Integrated Assets Solutions and a variety of not-for-profit board including the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO).

 

Current Directorships: Non-executive Director – Santos Limited

Jon Gourlay

BCom, C.A, GAICD

Non-Executive Director

Term of Office:  Director since May 2019

Independent:  Yes

Experience: Jon is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in finance and project management, risk management, business improvement and investor relationships focussing on the resources and technology sectors. He is currently the Global Operational Excellence Manager for Glencore Zinc. Jon previously served as Commercial Manager, Technology and Innovation, for Newcrest Mining after having spent time in Newcrest Investor Relations and Business Improvement at the Lihir Island Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea.

Other Current Directorships: None

Sean Halpin JOW 220707 8195 1 1

Seán Halpin

CEO & Managing Director
Seán was appointed as SciDev’s CEO in 2022. An environmental professional with more than 15-years in the industry Seán was the co-founder and Commercial Director for Haldon Industries, which SciDev acquired in April 2021. During this period, Seán oversaw the strategic direction and significant growth of the water business to the market-leading position it holds today.

Having delivered some of the most complex water treatment projects across the Civil/Infrastructure, Mining, Remediation, Demolition, and Waste Management industries, Seán is focused on delivering high-quality, innovative solutions for clients and shareholders. He has a passion for helping his teams to navigate the commercial and technical complexities of projects and mentoring SciDev’s next generation of leaders.

Dan O’Toole

BEng(Hons), EngExec, FlEAust, MAusIMM, MAICD

Non-Executive Director

Term of Office:  Director since February 2021

Independent:  Yes

Experience: Mr O’Toole brings over 35 years of experience across the engineering and consulting sectors including over 18 years in executive leadership roles within Coffey International Limited and pitt&sherry. Mr O’Toole is currently the Chairman of Viotel Limited, a private company focused on empowering mining, transport and infrastructure businesses to better mitigate risks using world‑class monitoring technology.

Prior to his current position, Mr O’Toole was the Chief Executive Officer of pitt&sherry, one of Australia’s most dynamic consulting engineering companies with a team of high‑calibre professional consultants servicing the Transport Infrastructure, Mining, Energy, Industrial, and Tourism & Recreation market sectors.

Other Current Directorships: None. 

Mr Johannes Risseeuw Scidev board

Mr Johannes Risseeuw

Non-Executive Director

Term of Office:  Director since April 2025

Independent:  Yes

Experience: Mr. Johannes Risseeuw brings a wealth of leadership and corporate experience to the board. He is a highly skilled Company Director with a strong track record in corporate strategy, governance, and mergers and acquisitions.

Johannes’ most recent role was as Executive Chair of ASX-listed Damstra Technology (Damstra), where he led the company through its successful listing on the ASX and IPO in October 2019. He continued as Chair until Ideagen Limited acquired the company in April 2024.

His previous experience includes significant roles such as Director of Shell Australia and Vice-President of Mergers & Acquisitions, where he was instrumental in numerous high-profile transactions across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. Johannes also served as Chief Investment Officer at Questus Energy, where he focused on acquiring oil and gas assets, and as Chief Operating Officer at Skilled Group Limited, a major Australian labour-hire company.

Other Current Directorships: US-based FanPlayr Inc., a technology company that optimises customer data traffic through personalised, multichannel experiences.

Heath Roberts

Company Secretary
Heath was appointed Company Secretary for SciDev in 2017. Heath is a commercial solicitor with over 20 years of ASX listed company experience to Executive Director level. His strengths lie in corporate operations and compliance, asset due diligence and acquisitions and equity/debt funding focused on the resources and commodities sectors.

As Company Secretary and then Executive Director of WPG Resources Ltd (2005-13), Heath played a pivotal role in the acquisition of WPG’s iron ore assets in South Australia, project permitting/funding and then sale to Arrium Ltd for $320 million in 2011 and he was the Secretary of the Sydney Kings Basketball Team in 2000. Mr Roberts holds a DipLaw (SAB) and Grad Dip Legal Practice (UTS).