Richard Bolt

Principal

Richard Bolt headshot
Richard has led organisations ranging from a community-based advocacy group to a large government department.
His achievements include lead roles in national carbon and energy policy reform; driving technology innovation in energy, resources and agriculture; tackling corruption in education; gaining justice for victims of child sexual abuse; and building inclusion and collaboration in large government departments.

Influential work

  • Led major innovations and reforms in energy, carbon reduction, agriculture, earth resources, economic development, transport and education
  • Played a lead role in designing oversight of the national energy market and carbon pricing
  • Oversaw Victoria’s largest transport construction program
  • Tackled corruption and major budget challenges in education
  • Led responses to major emergencies.

Outside of Nous

Before joining Nous, Richard’s roles included running Victorian Government departments, leading strategy for Swinburne University, regulating privatised energy industries, policy research and negotiation for a Senate party, and public advocacy.

Richard’s previous board and council memberships include the Stakeholder Advisory Group to the Chief Scientist on a National Hydrogen Strategy; the Advisory Board at the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy; the National Consultative Committee on Peace and Disarmament and the Victorian Secretaries Board. He was previously the Victorian rural assistance commissioner, the chair of the Grampians Regional Management Forum and the Animal Welfare and Product Integrity Committee, director of Schools connect Australia and the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership, and deputy chair of the National Emissions Trading Task Force.

Richard holds a Master of Public Policy Management from Monash University, a Bachelor of Engineering (electrical engineering) from the now University of South Australia, and a Diploma of Company Directorship from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is an adjunct professor of energy transformation at Swinburne University.

In his spare time...

Richard has helped raise four children and enjoys cycling, cooking, walking his dogs, podcasts, travelling (with carbon offsets), music from opera to rock, playing guitar and caring for his granddaughter.