CEFC appoints chief of strategy and capital management

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has appointed Heechung Sung as chief of strategy and capital management, a new role to strengthen capital management, helping unlock new pathways to fast-track Australia's clean energy transition.

Prior to the role, she was head of natural capital at CEFC, where she developed the nascent sector into an asset class that is attracting international capital to Australian agriculture.

Sung will use her expertise in market development, investment innovation and capital deployment to ensure continued impact as CEFC policy, technology, markets and investor expectation evolve, CEFC said.

"Innovation has been a defining feature of the CEFC since its inception, with a proven track record of developing new investment models and backing emerging sectors ahead of the market," Sung said.

"This role will apply this innovative, strategic mindset to the next phase of clean energy investment growth, ensuring our capital settings keep pace with a changing market."

Sung who also joins the CEFC executive team, said the role played by targeted capital in helping establish the emerging natural capital sector demonstrated its potential to deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits.

In her time at the helm, the CEFC committed some $650 million to land-based and natural capital investments, attracting over $930 million in private capital, working alongside institutional investors like La Caisse and Aviva Investors, and banks Rabobank and NAB.

"Natural capital is a key part of Australia's transition, helping to unlock new investment opportunities, build international market confidence and deliver real-world outcomes, including First Nations participation," Sung said.

"It has been incredibly rewarding and a privilege to lead the development of the sector at CEFC and establishment of a strong investment team of sector experts who are helping to shape its future.

I am excited to take on this new, broader responsibility and help position the CEFC to identify future opportunities and keep delivering for Australia's clean energy transition."