Gerard was appointed commissioner and chairperson of the Essential Services Commission in August 2024.
A leading consumer rights lawyer, Gerard has deep consumer policy, regulatory and legal experience, and a longstanding passion for improving the consumer experience.
Gerard is a former CEO of the Consumer Action Law Centre, an independent, not-for-profit consumer organisation.
Prior to taking up this role, Gerard served as Chair of both Community Legal Centres Australia and the Consumers’ Federation of Australia and has also served as a director for the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
Gerard holds degrees in Arts, Law and Public Policy from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course.