Paul Bayly is the chief executive officer of PNG Power Limited, Papua New Guinea’s state-owned electricity utility, responsible for delivering power to communities, businesses, and industries across the nation. PNG Power plays a vital role in supporting Papua New Guinea’s economic development through reliable energy services.
Bayly assumed the role of CEO in April 2025, bringing over 30 years of experience in banking, infrastructure, and post-disaster recovery. He began his career at Citibank New Zealand, focusing on distressed businesses, and later joined Midland Montagu Merchant Bank in London, as noted in a July 2025 Business Advantage PNG interview. In the 1990s, he served as a United Nations specialist in Southern and Eastern Africa, addressing economic challenges.
In 1996, Bayly co-founded Cranleigh, an investment bank with offices in New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore, where he served as Managing Director for 20 years, per his 2025 PNG Investment Conference bio. His work centered on organizational turnarounds and strategic advisory, skills now critical for PNG Power’s revival.
In 2016, Bayly was appointed Permanent Secretary for Fiji’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, overseeing agencies including the Fiji Electricity Authority, per a PNG Power news release. He implemented client-focused reforms to enhance service delivery. From 2017 to 2020, he led the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency in the British Virgin Islands, managing a US$1 billion recovery effort after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as reported by Business Advantage PNG.
A retired Colonel in the New Zealand Army, Bayly served in Syria, Lebanon, and East Timor, per his LinkedIn profile, developing leadership skills for high-pressure environments. He returned to New Zealand in 2020 to work on infrastructure projects before joining PNG Power.
Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Bayly is driving PNG Power’s turnaround, focusing on staff training, network reliability, and financial recovery. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and author of Doctor Livingstone, The Man, Myth and Legend, per his personal website.
