Dr Bruce Leslie is at the forefront of innovative climate action. As Manager – Technologies at Vast Renewables, he is applying his technical expertise and business acumen to bring online Australia’s first solar thermal power plant. Part of the renewable energy transition puzzle, it will capture and store energy from the sun in daylight hours for use at night. 

Leslie has previously designed advanced excavator buckets and payload monitoring systems for the mining industry, with both products generating more than $1 billion in sales in Australia and internationally. He also played a crucial role in stakeholder engagement to progress design of the world’s largest hypersonic wind tunnels. 

For four years, Leslie piloted the ‘Indigineering’ program to promote understanding of western culture among the Yolngu people of east Arnhem Land, generating positive outcomes.

Dr Bruce Leslie is at the forefront of innovation in response to climate change and energy transitions. As Director–Technologies at Vast Renewables he is applying his engineering brilliance and business acumen to bring online, Australia’s first solar thermal power plant. Part of the energy transition puzzle, it will capture and store energy from the sun in daylight hours for use at night. Dr Leslie has previously used his own consulting engineering company in partnerships to bring high technology to the design of advanced dragline buckets and loading systems for the mining industry. Uptake of these large products has been spectacular, both nationally and internationally ($1b+ sales). He also played a crucial role in gaining contracts for the consulting company WBM Pty Ltd and The University of Queensland to design the world’s largest hypersonic wind tunnels for international clients. Dr Leslie has had a noteworthy involvement with Australia’s Indigenous community.