King said the changes reflected a more efficient and streamlined management structure necessitated by the increased size and complexity of the company that had followed five years of significant growth.

“The new structure will ensure increased focus on the key drivers of Origin’s continued growth in the years ahead,” he said.

The changes, effective immediately, will see seven managers reporting directly to King.

The seven strategic business areas and their managers are as follows:

Operations Australia – incorporating the integrated Australia retail, power generation and oil and gas production activities - will be managed by new chief operating offer (Australia) Karen Moses (previously wholesaling and trading general manager).

Major Development Projects – incorporating major project development and delivery, including Kupe, Spring Gully, Offshore Otway, major power station developments and “clean energy” projects - will be managed by major development projects manager Andrew Stock (previously generation general manager).

Exploration – incorporating the current exploration focus and all conventional drilling activities - will be managed by exploration manager Rob Willink.

Finance – chief financial officer Frank Calabria, will continue in this role and will assume the greater part of the responsibilities of former commercial director Bruce Beeren who has retired from his executive role.

Corporate Development – this new function, including responsibility for planning, commodity risk reporting, asset management, public and government affairs and investor relations - will be managed by corporate development manager David Hunt (previously Contact Energy’s corporate development manager).

Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment – an appointment to this expanded role is expected soon.

Company Secretarial – company secretary Bill Hundy will continue in this role and be responsible for corporate secretarial, legal, insurance and corporate compliance activities.

Origin’s representation on the Contact Energy board will remain as King (chairman) with Moses and Beeren.