Domenic Martino said Sydney Gas now has both an independent non-executive chairman and a majority of independent non-executive directors, in keeping with its culture of business excellence, fiscal, corporate and social responsibility.

He said the appointment was a natural progression in the maturation of Sydney Gas and consistent with best practice in the area of corporate governance.

Knight holds a first-class honours degree in Arts (Government and Public Administration) from the University of Sydney. He spent almost 20 years in the NSW Parliament during which time he served as, inter alia, minister for Public Works and Services, minister for Roads, minister responsible for Darling Harbour and minister for the Olympics. Knight chaired the Cabinet Committee on Government Advertising and was a member of the Cabinet’s Budget Committee, Microeconomic Reform Committee, and Policy and Priorities Committee.

Since leaving Parliament in 2001, Knight has been a consultant to business, particularly in the property and infrastructure sectors. He is based in Sydney, and specialises in strategic problem-solving.

Knight will receive $125,000 per year and a swag of options that are triggered by various gas sales performance hurdles.