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Penny Gray
Customer Experience - Product development & delivery - Human Centred Design - Marketing & Communications - Strategy
Professional Background
Penny Gray is a distinguished leader in the fields of trade solutions and customer experience, with a career spanning over two decades in diverse sectors including energy, customer service, and international trade. Currently serving as the Head of Trade Solutions at Bunnings Trade, Penny leverages her extensive background and academic qualifications to drive innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the company's trade offerings. In her role, she focuses on developing new initiatives that cater to customer needs and improving overall operational efficiency.
Prior to her current position, Penny made significant contributions at AusNet Services, where she served as the General Manager of Customer Experience. Her strategic mindset and dedication to enhancing customer satisfaction led her to spearhead various projects aimed at transforming the customer journey. Her role as Strategy & Projects Manager further solidified her reputation for connecting strategic vision with practical implementation, ensuring that AusNet’s customer offerings were not only desirable but also grounded in operational excellence.
Before her impactful tenure at AusNet Services, Penny held various prominent roles at Origin Energy, where she was the General Manager of Product Development & Delivery. Her work involved innovating energy products that resonated with consumers while also considering sustainability and future energy trends. Penny initially joined Origin Energy as the General Manager of Customer Experience & Digital, where she was instrumental in integrating digital solutions to improve customer interactions and service delivery, a reflection of her commitment to adapting to the evolving digital landscape.
Penny’s career trajectory includes pivotal roles such as Marketing Manager at Origin Energy and Segment Manager for Credit Cards at National Australia Bank. Her multifaceted experience also extends to Wishlist Corporate, where she served as the Sales & Marketing Manager, contributing to significant growth in client acquisition and retention. Moreover, as the former Deputy CEO of Business Development & Marketing at the Melbourne Convention Bureau, she developed initiatives to attract international events and boost the local economy.
Early in her career, Penny made a mark as a Marketing Officer in Education at Austrade in Paris, where she not only developed marketing strategies to promote education offerings but also honed her skills in international relations and marketing at a global level.
Education and Achievements
Penny Gray's impressive educational background is a testament to her commitment to both learning and professional development. She holds a Master’s degree in Environment & Planning from RMIT University, equipping her with knowledge and insights into sustainable practices and strategic planning. Additionally, her Master’s degree in International Relations from Université Paris-Sorbonne has enhanced her understanding of global dynamics, policy-making, and cross-border collaborations.
Penny began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce & Economics from the University of Melbourne, where she developed a solid foundation in economic principles and commercial practices. This combination of educational experiences has uniquely positioned Penny to excel in various business environments, especially those requiring a keen understanding of the intersection between economics, strategic management, and customer experience.
As a result of her dedication and expertise, Penny has amassed numerous accolades throughout her career. Her ability to lead transformative projects and her relentless focus on customer experience have not only benefitted the organizations she has worked for but also established her as a thought leader in customer strategy and trade solutions.
Achievements
Penny's career is marked by numerous notable achievements that reflect her dedication to excellence and innovation. At AusNet Services, her leadership in enhancing customer experience led to significant improvements in satisfaction ratings, showcasing her ability to translate customer feedback into actionable business strategies. Her innovative thinking and adept handling of complex projects contributed to establishing AusNet Services as a trusted name in the energy sector.
During her tenure at Origin Energy, Penny's vision for product development resulted in the launch of customer-focused initiatives that not only catered to market demands but also embraced environmental considerations, illustrating her commitment to sustainable energy practices. Her role in integrating digital solutions within customer service at Origin Energy underscores her forward-looking approach in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
Additionally, as Deputy CEO of Marketing & Business Development at the Melbourne Convention Bureau, she significantly boosted the city’s profile as a premier destination for international events through strategic marketing and outreach programs. Her efforts not only increased visitor numbers but also positively impacted local businesses and economic growth.
In her current role at Bunnings Trade, she continues to drive innovation and customer engagement, ensuring that the company maintains its competitive edge in the trade supplies retail space. Through her leadership, Bunnings Trade is keen to set new benchmarks in customer relationship management.
Overall, Penny Gray exemplifies how a passion for customer experience and strategic insight can converge to create meaningful impacts across industries. Her career reflects a series of strategic steps informed by a robust educational background and a commitment to fostering innovation in every role she undertakes.