Corporate Supporters

The Business School Board

The UWA Business School works closely with leading companies, a network of individuals and graduates, and the broader business community. The UWA Business School’s partners provide guest lecturers, case studies, mentoring, and a suite of scholarships and prizes, all designed to support our students as they achieve at the highest level. Our connections with industry allow students to engage with potential employers and ensures our teaching is constantly informed by practical, industry-relevant expertise.

Dr Mark Barnaba AM CitWa, Deputy Chairman Fortescue; Chairman AirTrunk; Chairman Greatland Gold PLC: Mark has had an international career as an entrepreneur, corporate advisor and independent director for organisations across the finance, technology, infrastructure, natural resources, sports administration and education sectors. He has extensive and particularly diverse experience at board level in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.

Mark is the Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Audit, Risk and Sustainability Committee and sits on the advisory board of Fortescue Capital (a third party Asset Manager) at Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG). He is Chairman of Greatland Gold Plc. (LSE:GGP) and is also Chairman of AirTrunk (a cloud-based data centre company operating in Asia-Pacific and Japan). Mark co-chairs the University of Western Australia’s Business School Board and is a member of the Board of The Centre for Independent Studies.

He was previously on the Board of Australia’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), for two terms, and is a former Chairman of the Audit Committee of the RBA. He has previously chaired several publicly listed Australian companies within the mining and infrastructure sectors along with chairing non-profit organisations and was a former Chairman of the State Theatre Company of Western Australia, the West Coast Eagles (AFL team) and Williams Advanced Engineering (UK based offshoot of the Williams F1 team).

In 2009, Mark was the recipient of the WA Citizen of the Year Award in Industry and Commerce and in 2015 was named a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the investment banking and financial sector, to business education and to sporting and cultural organisations.

In his executive career, Mark founded, led and sold two companies - GEM Consulting and Azure Capital (both independent corporate advisory firms which provide financial, corporate and strategic advice to public and private organisations in the Asia Pacific region). He also held several senior executive roles at Macquarie Group (one being the Chairman and Global Head of the Natural Resources Group). He previously worked at McKinsey & Company in their London, Johannesburg and Sydney offices.

Mark was the inaugural Chairman of the University of Western Australia Business School Board from 2002 to 2020 and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in Finance. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours and University Medal) from the University of Western Australia, an MBA from Harvard Business School (High Distinction; Baker Scholar) and has an Honorary Doctor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia. He has lived in Australia, the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom and South Africa and is married with two children.
Dr Adrian Fini OAM – Director, Human Urban (H-U): Dr Adrian Fini OAM - Director, Human Urban (H-U)

Adrian Fini is a Director of H-U and Fini Group Pty Ltd, a private property and investment group.

Adrian is a current Board member of The University of Western Australia Business School and the Melbourne Art Foundation.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from The University of Western Australia and was also an Adjunct Professor in Entrepreneurship at UWA Business School.
Professor Peter Robertson – Dean, UWA Business School: Peter Robertson is a Professor of Economics and is Dean of the Business School.

He was Head of Economics 2014-2016 and was Associate Dean of Research from 2011-2014. He was educated at the University of Otago, the University of New England and Simon Fraser University. He has been a visiting Scholar at the University of Otago, The University of British Columbia, Rutgers University and The University of Oxford. He was formerly employed at the Productivity Commission 1994-1996, and the University of New South Wales 1996-2009. Peter also serves as an expert consultant to the Productivity Commission and to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and is a member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts. He is currently serving on the editorial board of The Indian Growth and Development Review and Economic Papers.
Alan Cransberg – Chairman, Waalitj Foundation: Alan Cransberg was Chairman and Managing Director, Alcoa of Australia, from 2008 until April, 2016. He is an Adjunct Professor in Corporate Strategy at the UWA Business School.

Alan’s last position with Alcoa was President Alcoa Refining and Australia Region. Alcoa of Australia has mining, refining, power and smelting interests across Australia. As President Alcoa Refining, Alan held responsibility for all of Alcoa’s alumina refineries globally. He was also a Vice President of Alcoa Inc., Chairman of Alcoa Australia and a Board Member of the Alcoa Foundation.

Alan graduated from The University of Western Australia with a degree in Civil Engineering (Hons) in 1979. He began his Alcoa career in the West Australian Mining Group in 1980. In 1989, he moved into Alcoa’s Western Australian refining system and became Pinjarra Alumina Refinery Manager in 1998. In 2001, he moved to the United States to continue his Alcoa career with stints in Texas, Tennessee and finally New York where he became President, Global Manufacturing for Alcoa’s Global Primary Products group in 2004.

Alan was a Director for Wesfarmers, was Chairman of the West Coast Eagles Football Club from 2011 to 2016 (Director for 2008-2010), is Chairman of The Waalitj Foundation, Investment Director for the SAS Resources Trust and on the UWA Business School Board. Previous Directorships include Black Swan State Theatre Company, ACE Mining Solutions, Swire and Sons Pty Ltd, and he is an ambassador for The Foundation for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and their Children (Our Watch).
Hon Ben Wyatt MLA – Company Director: Ben Wyatt is the former first Aboriginal Australian Treasurer, appointed in March 2017.

Testament to his capability, capacity and strong work ethic, Mr Wyatt also holds the position as Minister for Finance Aboriginal Affairs; Lands.

Mr Wyatt’s priority as a leader of the state is to focus on his pronounced Ministerial portfolio, his obligation to his constituents and to make a difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the state and the nation. Mr Wyatt is deeply committed to the principles of closing the gap in Australia.

Elected to the Legislative Assembly in a by-election, held in March 2006, Mr Wyatt was fast-tracked to fill the vacancy created when the Hon Dr Geoff Gallop resigned and has been serving the State for more than 12 years.

Prior to his appointment as a senior Minister in the current Government, Mr Wyatt held the positions of Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Federal State Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, Native Title and Government Accountability.

Mr Wyatt holds a Masters Degree with distinction from the London School of Economics, Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia and has also served on the National Board of Indigenous Business Australia and as an officer in the Australian Army - following his graduation from the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

In 2001, Mr Wyatt was awarded Young Australian of the Year in the Town of Victoria Park. Other accolades include a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship from the Rotary Club of Victoria Park for 2001 to 2002 and receiving the Australian Defence Medal in 2008.

During his pre-Parliamentary legal career, Mr Wyatt worked as a barrister and solicitor with a national law firm in Perth and Sydney. Mr Wyatt also served as counsel for the WA Director of Public Prosecutions.
Greg Lilleyman – Non-executive Chairman, Genmin Limited: Greg has been a non-executive director on the Board of Genmin Limited since July 2024 and Chairman since December 2024. Greg is also a director of Breight Group and a consultant/advisor to a number of mining industry companies. Greg previously served as CEO & Managing Director of Nathan River Resources after four years at Fortescue Metals Group in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Director Operations and 26 years in various roles with Rio Tinto including as a member of Rio Tinto’s Executive Committee as Group Executive – Technology and Innovation.

Greg has over three decades of extensive international experience in the mining sector, across multiple commodities in large-scale project development and construction, operational and business leadership, joint venture management and technology deployment.

Greg holds a degree in Construction Engineering from Curtin University and is a Vincent Fairfax Fellow in Ethical Leadership from University of Melbourne, as well as completing the prestigious Wharton Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

He is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.
Dr John Willinge – CEO, Alverstoke Group LLC: Dr John Willinge

John is the founder and Chairman of Alverstoke Group, a New York-based investment management and consulting firm, and is an Adjunct Professor in Finance and Investment at The University of Western Australia. He has more than three decades of experience in investment management and governance, having served as both a senior investment professional and strategic advisor as well as on the boards of public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations.

John founded Alverstoke Group, a multi-strategy investment firm which invests globally in private and public securities, in 2003. Prior to forming Alverstoke, John was a Partner at Thomas Weisel Partners, an international investment bank, where he founded and managed an investment fund and was a member of a number of the firm’s investment committees. John has worked at other leading financial services firms including Goldman Sachs and Rothschild, as well as with investment funds and large family offices. Prior to entering the finance industry, John worked as an engineer in the mining and oil and gas industries.

John has served as a member of the boards of directors of public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations in Australia and internationally. He is a Member of the Board of the Business School at The University of Western Australia and is a Patron of the Hackett Foundation. For more than fifteen years, John served as the Chairman of UWA in America, Inc. and led the organization’s charitable and alumni activities. He was selected as a David Rockefeller Fellow with the Partnership for New York City.

John holds a Master of Business Administration with Honours from Harvard Business School, a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) from The University of Western Australia, and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Mining Engineering) from The Western Australian School of Mines at Curtin University. John was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Commerce by The University of Western Australia.
Marshall Allen – Founding Partner, Viburnum Funds: Marshall co-founded Viburnum Funds in 2007, following a 16 year banking and investment career in UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia with ANZ Private Equity, Deutsche Bank, Société Générale and equity derivatives boutique Credit Agricole Lazard Financial Products (as Deputy Managing Director for Asia).

Viburnum is a Perth based “active ownership” fund manager managing both public and private strategies for local and international institutional investors.

Marshall was educated at the University of Western Australia (BCom) and Cornell University (MBA).
Rob Scott – Managing Director, Wesfarmers Limited: Rob was appointed Managing Director of Wesfarmers in November 2017 following his appointment as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in February 2017. Prior to this, he was Managing Director of the Wesfarmers Industrials division from August 2015 until August 2017.

Rob started with Wesfarmers in 1993 before moving into investment banking, where he had various roles in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions in Australia and Asia. Rob rejoined Wesfarmers in 2004 in a commercial role in business development, before being appointed Managing Director of Wesfarmers Insurance in 2007 and then Finance Director of Coles in February 2013. He was appointed to the role of Managing Director, Financial Services in October 2014.

Rob holds a Master of Applied Finance degree from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Australian National University. He has a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investments, is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is a dual Olympian in rowing and a silver medallist from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He is a director of the Business Council of Australia and Brisbane 2032, Gresham Partners and the Business Council of Australia. Rob is also a member of The University of Western Australia Business School Advisory Board.
Sue Murphy – Company Director: Sue Murphy is a Company Director who graduated as a Civil Engineer from the University of Western Australia in 1979.

After winning a Clough Scholarship as an undergraduate, she joined Clough Engineering in 1980 commencing what would be a 25 year career in that organisation. Twelve years in the field as a site engineer and project manager led to corporate roles with a focus on human resources, safety and engineering design management and her appointment in 1998 as the first woman on the board of Clough Engineering Ltd.

From 2008 until 2018 Sue was the Chief Executive Officer of the Water Corporation.

Sue is a member of the University of Western Australia Senate, Board Member of the UWA Business School and Director of the West Australian Treasury Corporation. Sue is also a Board Member for the AFL Fremantle Dockers.

In each year from 2009 – 2015, Sue was listed in the top 100 most influential engineers in Australia by Engineers Australia.

In 2013, Sue was honoured with the prestigious Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year Award by the Board of the College of Civil Engineers of Engineers Australia. Sue was also elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia.

In 2014, Sue was presented with the IWA’s “International” Women in Water Award and listed at number 8 of the 2017 “Top 25 Global Water Leaders” by Water and Wastewater International Magazine.
Emily Roper PSM - Non-Executive Director, Centre for Policy Development: Emily Roper PSM is a distinguished public sector executive with over 25 years of experience in both State and Federal governments.

She was the first woman appointed Director-General of Western Australia's Department of the Premier and Cabinet, where she led major economic, social and environmental policy reforms and large-scale transformations, including energy transitions and digital modernisation.

Emily played a key role in Western Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and received the Public Service Medal in 2023 for her leadership during this period.

She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at the Centre for Policy Development, has been a board member of Infrastructure WA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ben Macnamara - Chief Executive Officer, CBH Group: Ben was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the CBH Group in July 2021. Previously, he was Chief Operations Officer from where he was responsible for leading CBH’s world-class storage and handling, logistics and shipping services. Ben is leading CBH Group in creating a sustainable future and returning value to Western Australian growers. Before joining CBH, Ben worked for an investment advisory firm and an international professional services firm. Ben is a member of the Chartered Accountants, Australia, and is on the board of the Business Council of Co-operative and Mutuals (BCCM).
Elsabe Muller - President, Alcoa Australia: Elsabe Muller is currently President Alcoa Australia, and Vice President Operations – Australia. In this capacity she heads up Alcoa’s business in Australia, including all operations of the Company’s bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting activities in Western Australia and Victoria.

Elsabe has considerable local and international resources sector expertise gained from more than 30 years working with BHP. Her career spans four continents and six commodities.

She held senior leadership positions as global Group Health, Safety and Environment Officer, Asset President of BHP Mitsui Coal (BMC) and NSW Energy Coal (NSWEC), General Manager Jimblebar (Iron Ore mine in Western Australia), as well as commodity marketing based out of Singapore, and business planning and improvement.
Mark Paganin – Partner, Clayton Utz: Mark is a senior partner at the Australian law firm Clayton Utz, where he leads the Corporate Practice Group in the Perth office. He recently served the maximum terms as an elected partner of the firm’s National Board.

Mark has previously held several prominent positions, including a member of the Australian Government’s Takeovers Panel and Chair of the Boards for the University Club of UWA, Scotch College, and the WA Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), as well as a national Board member. He has also been a Councillor of HBF and the inaugural WA Chair of ChairConnect, a national association for the Chairs of independent schools.

He holds both a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from The University of Western Australia and completed a three-month executive management program at Harvard Business School. Mark is a senior fellow of both the AICD and FINSIA and a recipient of the UWA Chancellor’s Medal. He serves on the Board of Rock Art Australia and practices as a corporate lawyer also providing pro bono legal services through Clayton Utz to various nonprofit organizations.
Christine Fellowes – Non-Executive Director, National Australia Bank and GuocoLand Group: Christine is an accomplished global business leader and public company board director with three decades of experience driving growth for Fortune 500 multinationals in media, technology and consumer services.

Christine currently serves as a Non-Executive Board Director of National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) and leading property investment and development company, Guocoland Group (SGX:F17), listed on the Singapore Exchange. Christine previously served on the Board of Directors of technology company VIQ Solutions Inc (TSX:VQS), listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

In her corporate career, she held C-Suite roles across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and North America for global media, technology and communications companies including Comcast Corporation, NBCUniversal, Turner Broadcasting and The Omnicom Media Group, leading P&L and operations, international expansion, innovation and digital transformation.

Most recently Christine served as the Managing Director of the NBCUniversal Global Networks and Direct to Consumer business in Asia Pacific, overseeing Pay-TV, television and digital services, where she also served on corporate boards until 2022.

In 2021 she Co-founded and serves as Chair of the Singapore-based not-for-profit organisation, NINEby9, dedicated to research, data-driven solutions and advocacy to drive gender equity for women in the workforce. She also serves as Asia Pacific chapter lead for HBS alumni organization, WomenExecs on Boards.

Based in Singapore, Christine spends time between London and Australia where her three children are studying. Outside of work, she loves hiking in the forest and ocean swimming.
Graham Tiver – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Woodside: Graham joined Woodside as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in February 2022. Graham has held significant financial, commercial and leadership roles across a range of business sectors, including minerals and oil and gas. He has extensive international experience, having worked in North and South America as well as in a variety of roles around Australia.

Prior to joining Woodside, he was previously at BHP where he held the role of Group Financial Controller with responsibility for BHP’s global accounting and reporting function and finance improvement spread across 10 countries.

During his 28-year career with BHP and WMC Resources, Graham has gained diverse experience spanning across senior roles in Australian nickel operations and the copper division from Chile.

Graham’s strong technical and financial capability equips him to oversee complex commercial issues, reporting across multiple regulatory jurisdictions (including Sarbanes-Oxley), engaging Auditors and working with the Board.

Graham holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Finance from Edith Cowan University in Western Australia, and is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.
Fiona Hick - Non-Executive Director of Incitec Pivot, Evolution Mining and Infrastructure WA: Fiona has extensive executive and corporate experience in the energy and resources sectors. Her last role was Chief Executive Officer of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) and prior to that she spent over twenty years with Woodside Energy where she held a range of senior positions across strategy, governance, engineering, health and safety and environmental management before being appointed as Woodside’s Executive Vice President Operations in 2019. Prior to Woodside Energy, Fiona spent 5 years in site based technical and operational roles with Rio Tinto (then CRA/RTZ).

Fiona’s career has been characterised by a focus on people, results and continuous improvement, strength in navigating complexity and ambiguity, strong communication skills and positively influencing outcomes through relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Fiona has experience on several boards and committees for public companies and not-for-profits, including being President and Chair of the Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy from 2021-2023 and a board member of CO2CRC from 2018-2022.

Fiona is currently a Non-Executive Director of Incitec Pivot, Evolution Mining and Infrastructure WA. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree with honours in Materials Engineering, a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Energy and Carbon Studies, is a member of Chief Executive Women and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ambassadorial Council

The Ambassadorial Council is a network of prominent UWA alumni and industry leaders who are members of international chapters in Perth, Melbourne, London, Singapore and New York. The role of the council is to assist the Business School with building stronger global connections and to advise on current global issues and perspectives, influencing course structure and student experience. Our council members enhance the learning experience to give students greater opportunities to define their career in the business world.

Australian Chapter | Tim Lester, Chair
United Kingdom Chapter | Chris Walton, Chair

International Patron of the UWA Business School Ambassadorial Council

Zoë Yujnovich

Zoë Yujnovich

Zoë Yujnovich is an international business leader recognised for her prominent roles in the energy sector and delivering performance transformation. Zoë began her career with Rio Tinto, holding senior management positions across diverse international markets including Australia, USA, UK, Brazil and Canada.

Her significant experience managing cross-cultural teams and driving consistent outperformance through better workforce engagement at Rio Tinto positioned her as a respected figure in international business. In 2014, Zoë joined Shell plc, initially as Executive Vice President in Canada, where she successfully led major infrastructure projects critical to the company's strategy and operational delivery. Subsequently, as Shell's Country Chair and Executive Vice President for Australia and New Zealand, she led the local operational and cultural integration of BG, a US$70bn acquisition.

Zoë's strategic capabilities were further recognized by her appointment as Shell's Executive Vice President of Conventional Oil and Gas, based in The Hague, where she managed global operations. In October 2021, Zoë was elevated to Shell's Executive Committee, based in London, as Director of Integrated Gas and Upstream, further underscoring her key role in navigating complex global energy challenges. 2025 saw Zoë appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Unilever PLC as well as being announced as the CEO of National Grid. Zoë received a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of Western Australia in 1995 and an Executive MBA from the University of Utah in 2004.

Ambassadorial Council - Australia Chapter

Tim Lester

Founder and Principal, Jameson Boyce Partners

Mr Tim Lester is a Corporate and finance transaction and deal specialist, with particular expertise in corporate governance and advising on, facilitating, negotiating, structuring and managing cross border investments and transactions.

He has 28+ years working in Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo and London supporting clients, working with and across from Governments and their agencies and industry bodies. Mr Lester has deep experience across the energy and resources sectors as well as the high tech / deep tech, agribusiness, infrastructure, industrial and financial services sectors.

Mr Lester is an advisor whose experience is enriched by outstanding connections with Japan (and Asia more broadly). He chaired the Australia & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan for several years, he also served two terms as a board member of the Government’s Australia Japan Foundation and is currently serving his 12th year as an Executive Committee Member of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (the peak bilateral business body between Japan and Australia). Mr Lester has also advised and supported the Government over many years on policy development, free trade negotiations and various key initiatives relevant to Australia and Japan.

Mr Lester holds a Bachelors of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree (Japanese Studies) from the University of Western Australia.

Kelly O'Rourke

Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer, South32 Limited

Kelly O’Rourke was appointed to the Lead Team in November 2020 and is our Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer, with responsibility for Legal, Company Secretariat, Business Integrity, Communications, Community, Government and Sustainability Strategy.

Kelly joined South32 in 2016 as Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations. She previously worked at BHP for nine years where she held senior roles in Legal, Business Development, Mergers and Acquisitions and the Office of the Chief Executive.

Kelly has more than 20 years of experience in the mining industry across legal, commercial, business development, mergers and acquisitions, external affairs and community roles across Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Laws (Distinction) from The University of Western Australia, a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Catherine Choate

People Advisory Partner, Ernst & Young

Ms Catherine Choate is a Partner at EY in the People Advisory Services practice. She is an experienced management consultant specialising in strategic organisational change and business transformation.

Ms Choate has spent over 18 years advising clients in the areas of operating model and organisation design/structure and organisational change management. She also focuses on the resources and government sectors.

Ms Choate holds a Bachelor of business degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Curtin University of Technology, a Masters of Business Administration degree from The University of Western Australia and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jane Muirsmith

Managing Director, Lenox Hill

Jane is an accomplished digital and marketing strategist, having held several executive positions in Sydney, New York, Melbourne, Singapore and Perth. Jane Muirsmith is Managing Director of Lenox Hill, a digital strategy and advisory firm, and is a Non-Executive Director of Cedar Woods Properties Ltd (CWP), the Australian Finance Group (AFG), Water Corporation and the Telethon Kids Institute.

Jane is a member of the UWA Business School's Ambassadorial Council and a former President of the Western Australian Women's Advisory Council to the Premier.

Dr Alec J O'Connell

Headmaster, Scotch College

Since graduating as a teacher in 1982, Alec has worked across PK-Tertiary, including a variety of both teaching and administrative positions.

Alec commenced as the 7th Headmaster of Scotch College in June 2011 and is currently in his third contractual period. Before taking on the role of Headmaster at Scotch College, Alec was the Assistant Director at the Catholic Education Office of WA where he held the portfolio of People and Organisational Services.

In 2000 he was appointed as the foundation Head and CEO of St Columba-Kingswood Colleges at the University of Western Australia. This role involved amalgamating two separately incorporated University residential institutions into one College, now Trinity Residential College.

In 2005 he commenced at the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) as the Executive Director, Vice Chancellery and was later invited to take on the role of Executive of Academic and Student Services.

Throughout his career Alec has held several honorary roles. He is currently the Chairperson and Director of the Association of Independent Schools in WA (AISWA), Immediate Past Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools Australia WA (AHISA WA) a Director of the Independent Schools Australia (ISA), Chair of the TSH Board ( a school for hearing impaired children and clinical hearing and speech services, Chair of the Health Sciences External Advisory Board at the University of Notre Dame, and a member of the UWA Business School Ambassadorial Committee.

In recognition of professional service, Alec has received several honorary awards. He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE), the Australian Institute of Management FAIM), the National Association of University Colleges and Halls FNAUCHI) and a Life Member of Trinity Residential College at the University of Western Australia. He was also a recipient of the Australian College of Educators College Medal for the most outstanding WA Educator.

Academically Alec holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia (UWA), where he investigated the concept of Values Congruence and its effect on Organisational Commitment. He also holds a Master of Education, Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Education and Graduate Diploma of Language Studies and Diploma Royal Society of Arts (London). He has also studied at the Executive Management level at Oxford University in Marketing, and at The London School of Economics in Purpose for Profit and Social Impact, and Start-up Companies.

Alec is frequently invited to comment on matters of education significance in the media and provide several guest lectures on the topic of Leadership and Values. In 2022, along with a UWA academic, he was invited to co-author in a British Journal on the topic of Leading through a Crisis. In 2020, he also co-authored an article in the Journal of International Studies in Educational Administration v48, No2, a Journal of the Commonwealth for Educational Administration and Management.

From 2015-2019 Alec was a member of the Uniting Church Child Abuse task force charged with reviewing and implementing the outcomes from the Royal Commission into the Reporting of Child Abuse in schools.
Most of all leadership is his real passion, and to lead successfully, he believes that you must value and understand the complexity of people, be able to connect with them in a meaningful and authentic manner, and organisationally be able to clearly articulate a shared and uncomplicated vision.

Andrew Tome

Chief Executive Officer, Hollywood Private Hospital

Andrew works for Ramsay Health Care and is currently the CEO of Hollywood Private Hospital – Australia’s largest private hospital with 950 licensed beds and 2,500+ employees. Hollywood is also the largest hospital (public and private) in Western Australia. Andrew’s focus is on both the strategic growth opportunities for the hospital as well as managing the operational challenges within the health industry.

Andrew has gained vast commercial experience over his 25+ years in business working in private practice, property development, the mining industry and most recently, health.

Andrew worked in London, UK for 7 years working with clients in the Intellectual property space, collaboratively negotiating outcomes between big corporate and university bodies around the world.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Accounting). He is also an Associate of the Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Kathleen Bozanic

Chief Financial Officer, IGO Limited

Kathleen has over 30 years’ experience as a finance professional including as Partner of the professional services firm, Deloitte and Chief Financial Officer/General Manager of listed and private mining and contracting companies.

Kathleen is current the Chief Financial Officer of IGO Limited and has previously held senior positions with BGC Contracting, Atlas Iron and Mt Gibson. In addition to her corporate work, Kath has been a Non-Executive Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committees for several listed, private and government organisations and is currently a member of the board of Rugby WA.

Sara Curtin

Director, Gen Sustainability

Sara Curtin has over 30 years' experience in the global resource sector, working in the USA, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Sara has worked predominately in mining and oil and gas in a range of roles spanning geology, hydrogeology, environmental, health and safety, risk, sustainability, digital transformation, project and business management.

Sara is Director of Gen Sustainability, sustainability advisor business, supporting businesses to create their sustainability journey and drive generational change.

Prior to starting her own business Sara worked in oil and gas for over 18 years in a variety of roles across the value chain in exploration, development, operations, projects and Corporate. Working for many years on the exploration project in Libya, North Africa with responsibility for HSSE and Q Management. Sara’s corporate role was leading sustainability performance and reporting.

Sara worked for over 12 years in mining with the majority of that time with Western Mining Corporation (WMC) in regional and field-based roles on geological and hydrogeological projects in Australia and internationally in USA, Philippines, and Canada.

Sara did her initial degree at University of WA graduating with honours in Geology. Sara originally from the UK led a tailing investigation project in Finland that formed part of her Masters in Hydrogeology from University College London (UCL) sponsored by WMC. Sara has also completed Post Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management from Murdoch University and an Executive MBA from University of WA.

Emma Scotney

Non-executive Director, De Grey Mining

Emma is an experienced corporate lawyer and non-executive director with strong financial and commercial acumen who has over 25 years combined expertise in the mining, agricultural and property industries. She has extensive experience in advising on corporate, financial, governance and commercial matters, including mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets. In addition to private practice law firm experience, Emma was legal counsel at an ASX listed global mining services company where she specialised in international supply and distribution contracts for mining tools and equipment.

Emma serves as a non-executive director for ASX 200 listed De Grey Mining Limited (ASX):DEG), Minerals 260 Limited (ASX:MI6) and is a Commissioner with the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. Emma is also a member of a private company responsible for the operation of a high performing commercial livestock and cropping enterprise.

Emma has a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Diploma in Management (University of Western Australia), Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (Edith Cowan University) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Michael Britton

Michael Britton, Executive General Manager Business Development, Wesfarmers

Michael has experience in various strategic and corporate development roles across a range of industries including healthcare, consumer retail and the industrial sectors

Michael currently leads Business Development at Wesfarmers, which supports a number of strategic initiatives, M&A projects and portfolio management decisions across the Group.

Michael is also Chairman of Wespine Industries and previously held roles in investment banking and private equity, including at The Carlyle Group.

Michael has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.

Craig Cowdrey

Craig Cowdrey, Co-founder & CEO, Sonder

Craig Cowdrey is the Co-founder and CEO of Sonder, an award-winning technology company providing safety, medical, and mental health support to over 1,000,000 employees and students across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Under Craig’s leadership, Sonder has grown from a three-person startup to a 300+ strong team, securing

hundreds of partnerships including with Woolworths, McDonald's, CBA, PwC, and Allianz Insurance.

With expertise in growth strategy, product development, business leadership, and large-scale partnerships, Craig has raised over $100 million in funding, including a Series B round led by Blackbird Ventures. His ability to scale high-growth ventures has positioned Sonder as a leader in the digital wellbeing sector.

Before co-founding Sonder, Craig’s career spanned diplomacy, law, and military service. He was a diplomat for the Australian Government, serving at the United Nations Security Council and later as First Secretary, Political & Economic Affairs in Hong Kong. He also worked as an M&A lawyer at Clayton Utz and was an Officer in the Australian Army, which included a peacekeeping deployment to the Solomon Islands.

Craig has a keen interest in the film industry, contributing as an Executive Producer on a number of projects, such as Transfusion (2023) starring Sam Worthington.

Craig holds degrees in Law, Economics, and Arts from the University of Western Australia and maintains strong connections to corporate, investment, and technology communities across Australia.

Kate Inverarity

Kate Inverarity , Founding Partner, Nightingale Advisors

Kate is a Founding Partner of Nightingale Advisors, a strategic communications advisory firm. Nightingale is an advisor to leaders on issues that can impact the reputation of the organisation, board or leadership team or a company’s share price.

Kate works with a broad spectrum of clients across a wide range of industries and issues. Nightingale’s clients include listed companies, private businesses, sporting organisations and not for profits. Nightingale helps organisations and their leaders at critical moments, whether that be a merger or acquisition, a change of strategy, a leadership transition, financial reporting, or an issue or crisis.

Prior to founding Nightingale, Kate worked at Brunswick, a highly respected and now global communications firm, in their London and New York offices. During her time at Brunswick, the firm worked for about 20% of the FTSE100, and advised clients across large scale M&A, financial reporting and issues and crisis.

Kate developed a keen interest in business at a young age which led her to study commerce at UWA and take up a graduate position at KPMG in Perth. She quickly realised audit was not her game and moved to London for an adventure, where she found her calling at Brunswick. Returning to Australia, Kate founded Nightingale in 2007. Kate loves what she does and feels privileged to be in a position to give frank and fearless advice when people need it most.

Kate is a member of the Council of Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne and Chairs the Governance Committee.

Richard Kilbane

Chief Executive Officer, Hawaiian

Richard has two decades of experience at Hawaiian across a range of operational and leadership roles. Richard became Hawaiian’s third Chief Executive in February 2025.

Richard is focused on contributing to the communities Hawaiian serves, guided by Hawaiian’s believe in the positive impact that real estate can play in enriching people’s lives.

Richard is the immediate Past President of the WA Property Council of Australia. He is a graduate of the AICD and Harvard’s General Management Program and holds a Bachelor of Engineering. He also serves as a member of the St. Bart’s Board.

Ambassadorial Council – UK Chapter

Chris Walton FIoD FRAeS

BA 1979 (The University of Western Australia); MBA 1985 (The University of Western Australia)
Chairman, The Royal Mint

Chris Walton
Mr Walton is the Chairman of The Royal Mint. He is also Chairman of Aegis Energy, a Private Equity backed company developing green energy refuelling infrastructure for heavy road transport, and Audit Chair of East West Railway which is designing and building the UK’s new Oxford-Cambridge railway.

He is an experienced company chairman: KMG, the 33rd largest oil company in the world; Lothian Buses Plc, the operator of Edinburgh’s bus and tram network; Goldenport Holdings, a former UK-listed shipping company; and Asia Resource Minerals Plc, a former UK-listed coal miner. In addition, he was the Senior Independent Director and Audit Chair of Rockhopper Exploration Plc, a listed oil exploration company, and Audit Chair of KTZ, the world’s 19th-largest railway system.

In the Defence sector, he served two terms as Audit Chair of the UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency, which builds, maintains and disposes of the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet. He was also the sole non-executive member of the Royal Navy’s Naval Shipbuilding Strategy Client Board, which oversees the National Shipbuilding Plan.

Pro bono, Mr Walton is a trustee of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity and of the British Humane Association. In the past he has served as the Interim Chairman of the UK Institute of Directors.

In the past, he has been a non-executive member of the Audit Committee of the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which was responsible for the “digital economy”, broadcasting, arts, sport and, formerly, the 2012 London Olympic Games. In addition, Mr Walton has been a member of the Bank of England’s Regional Economic Advisory Panel (SE England & Anglia).

As Finance Director of easyJet Plc, Mr Walton successfully directed its IPO. He has held senior finance and commercial posts at Qantas, Air New Zealand, Australia Post and Australian Airlines. Mr Walton has also worked for BP Australia, in the Australian Senate and for Hamersley Iron.

Mr Walton is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Fellow of the UK Institute of Directors. He is the only Australian to have served as Master of the Guild of Freeman of the City of London. Mr Walton served for almost a decade in the Australian Army Reserve, in Norforce and 2 Commando.

Christine Scholes

Doctor Professional Studies (Dprof), 2022, (Middlesex University, London, UK; LLB 1993 (The University of Western Australia); LLM 1996 (The University of Western Australia)
Accredited Commercial Mediator and Executive Business Coach

Christine Scholes
Dr Scholes brings a wealth of international legal and leadership experience to the Ambassadorial Council. She began her commercial legal career in Perth, Western Australia with prominent law firms Clayton Utz and Freehills (formerly Parker and Parker). During this time, she was seconded to the Office of Premier and Cabinet, where she played a significant role in the introduction of new Competition law and policy.

Her career has been notably international. As an in-house Legal Counsel at Smiths Group plc (a FTSE 100 company), she managed legal affairs across the UK, United States, Europe and Asia, dedicating approximately half of her time to international operations. Dr Scholes has also held key positions at Babcock International and the UK Atomic Energy Authority, where she served on the board during its transition from a non-departmental government body to private ownership. Subsequently, she worked for a 50% private equity and 50% privately owned Aerospace business with operations in Brazil and Portugal. This further broadened her international experience.

Currently, Dr Scholes focuses on commercial mediation and executive coaching. Additionally, she is an active member of the Civil Mediation Council and European Mentoring and Coaching Council. She is also a member of 4-5 Grays Inn Square Chambers, London.
Dr Scholes is a former Board member of the International Women’s Forum (UK) and mentor for the Prince’s Trust.

Dr Scholes is a member of the UWA Business School Ambassadorial Council UK Chapter.

Dr Dick Porter

Hon DCom 2014 (The University of Western Australia)
Portfolio Chairman, Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce Director, Australia Day Foundation UK

Dick Porter
Dr Porter AM is Chair of the London-based Australia-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Australia Foundation UK, Honorary Fellow at University College London (UCL), Honorary President of the British Educational Travel Association, and a Chair/Director of and investor in a number of companies.

He was a co-founder of STA TRAVEL and worked as CEO and/or Director for 35 years opening in around 100 countries until 2011. He was enrolled at UWA from 1969 to 1973. While at UWA, he was President of the UWA Student Guild in 1973 and Society Council President in 1972. He played rugby and rowed intervarsity for UWA and was a Kings Cup rower for Western Australia. Dr Porter is a former Trustee of Friends of UWA in UK and Europe and a member of the UWA Business School Ambassadorial Council UK Chapter.

Dick's podcast

Glen Travers

BCom 1976 (The University of Western Australia)
Co Founder and Chairman, Proxima Concepts Ltd

Glen Travers Mr Travers studied at UWA and trained as a chartered accountant in Perth and Price Waterhouse in London. He co-founded Western Capital Ltd, an equity bank in Perth supported by Fletcher Challenge group and Paterson Ord Minnet, which in 1987 achieved a market capitalisation of $700 million, three years after being established. Among international interests in leveraged buyouts, fashion retail and heavy engineering, the group developed and marketed products from inventors of two of the 15 most important Australian medical breakthroughs since 1900 (according to the AFR).

Mr Travers relocated to London to pursue developments in the biopharmaceutical industry. He listed Cortecs International Ltd, major shareholders Banque Paribas and Nomura on LSE and Nasdaq. The company achieved a peak market capitalisation of $1.2 billion in 1996. Cortecs was ranked as the best performing Australian stock market company over three years with the LEK/Australian Newspaper award. After leaving in 1998, he co-founded Proxima Concepts Ltd and Diabetology Ltd which won the 2011 Frost and Sullivan Award for best emerging diabetes company in Europe as a result of podium presentations at the ADA & EASD for groundbreaking clinical results for their oral insulin project. In 2009 Diabetology presented the first oral GLP1 data in large animal models at the ADA. In 2025 he was recognised by PharmanLifescience magazine as one of the most influential leaders in the biotech industry.

Earlier, he was the recipient of the European Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year 1996 sponsored by Ernst and Young and Atlas Ventures, and his company was co-royalty holder with inventors who became Nobel Laureates and an Officer of the Order of Australia. Mr Travers’ commitment to education drove him to serve on the European and International Boards of the USA-based Young Presidents Organisation, representing 1000 European CEOs across 15 countries, and on the international board dedicated to improving 20,000 CEOs via education and idea exchange. He is a member of the UWA Business School Ambassadorial Council UK Chapter.

Glen's podcast

Hilton Nathanson

BCom '92 (The University of Western Australia), EM ’15 Consulting and Coaching for Change (INSEAD)

Hilton Nathanson is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is a regular speaker and lecturer in schools and business schools, helping mentor individuals in their personal and career development. Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Hilton arrived in London in 1992 and spent his first years working in financial markets at several leading financial institutions in the UK, including Goldman Sachs. He then embarked on a career in asset management and subsequently founded Marble Bar Asset Management, which became one of London’s most successful hedge funds. Hilton has been Chairman of Marble Bar since 2013.

Throughout his career, Hilton has wanted to better understand the attributes of successful traders, particularly the factors at play when they take key investment decisions. Hilton’s post graduate work at INSEAD centred around this and his research formed the foundation of an enhanced set of analytical tools on Marble Bar’s trading platform that monitor trading behaviour.

This work has also confirmed Hilton’s belief that unintentional behaviours can affect the ability of individuals to be successful in pursuit of their goals, not just in trading but much more generally. He has been interested in the philosophy and analysis of success for more than a decade, and has studied and lectured on issues including self-awareness, good judgment and decision-making.

Hilton is a strong supporter and advocate of Israel which is reflected in his charity work. His charity, the RNCT, was founded in 2004 and is currently focused on tackling antisemitism and extremism in the UK and supporting the State of Israel. Hilton was a Board member of One Family for ten years, supporting Israeli victims of terror. For over ten years, Hilton served as Chairman of the International Youth Awards, Israel, the Israeli branch of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which works to develop life skills for young people in Israel. In 2022 he founded the charity Bishnat in memory of his late father, with the intention of setting up Jewish music concerts in the community. In response to the events of 7 October, these concerts were used to stand in solidarity with Israel. Furthermore, Hilton co-founded the Hurricane Fund to tackle the issues of extremism and antisemitism. Recently Hilton joined the Board of the Jerusalem Centre of Public Affairs, a leading independent research institute which serves as Israel’s global embassy for national security and applied diplomacy. Hilton has also served on the Board of Conservative Friends of Israel.

Hilton divides his time between London and Israel with his wife and children. He is an avid cricket fan, a keen sailor and a ferocious reader.

Hilton's podcast

Jacqueline Nelson

BJuris and LLB 1984 (The University of Western Australia)
Managing Director, Centrus Advisors
Jacqueline Nelson

Ms Nelson has been involved in the financing of transport infrastructure projects since the 1990s. She has developed a recognised expertise in the passenger and freight rolling stock and rail infrastructure sectors in both the UK and Western Europe. She has worked with many international providers of equity and debt and structured and arranged a number of large transport financing projects during that time. Latterly, she has been leading a passenger rolling stock leasing company on behalf of its private equity infrastructure owners, having advised the owners on their original investment in the sector.

After graduating from the UWA (Law Faculty), Ms. Nelson worked for King & Wood Mallesons in Perth and Sydney. She then joined Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London, where she specialised, as a lawyer, in banking, capital markets and asset financing transactions. She then moved into a financing role with a boutique London financial advisory firm where she became a shareholder and participated in the sale of that company to her current employer. Centrus, where she is a Managing Director. Centrus has offices in London, Dublin, New York and Athens.

Olivia Markham CFA

BCom (Hons) 2003 (The University of Western Australia)
Managing Director, BlackRock
Olivia Markham

Olivia Markham, CFA, Managing Director and portfolio manager, is a member of the
Natural Resources team within the Fundamental Equity division of BlackRock’s Active
Equity Group. She is responsible for coverage of the gold and mining sectors and co-
manages US$10bn of assets across the BlackRock World Mining Trust, the BGF World
Mining Fund, the BlackRock Circular Economy Fund and the BlackRock Brown to Green
Materials fund.

Ms Markham joined BlackRock in 2011. Previously, she was head of the European Mining
team at UBS with lead coverage of the UK diversified miners. Before moving to London
in 2009, Ms Markham worked for Merrill Lynch in Sydney covering the Australian miners.
She also spent four years working within the Mergers and Acquisition team at BHP
Billiton.