2024 Taste of Australia Dinner and Leaders' Summit

The Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC

WA Minister for Agriculture and Small Business

The Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC is the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry, and Small Business and has been Member for the South West Region in the Legislative Council since 2021.

Jarvis lives in Margaret River and has established her Electorate Office in the town.

Prior to entering politics, Jarvis started her career in the finance industry before moving to Margaret River in 1998 and establishing a commercial vineyard and winery with her husband Matt. They launched the Jarvis Estate wine brand in 2002.

Michael Chaney AO

Chair Wesfarmers

Michael Chaney was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2004 for services to business and the community.

Mr Chaney is Chairman of both Wesfarmers and Northern Star Resources Limited. He is also a director of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition Ltd. He is a former director of BHP and Centre for Independent Studies and a former Chairman of NAB, Woodside Petroleum, the National School Resourcing Board and several not-for-profit organisations; and a former Chancellor of The University of Western Australia.

He retired from his position as Managing Director of Wesfarmers in July 2005 and returned as Chairman in 2015. He was appointed Managing Director in July 1992, having been Finance Director since 1984. Mr Chaney joined Wesfarmers in 1983 as Company Secretary and Administration Manager. He joined the Australian Industry Development Corporation in 1980 as a corporate finance executive and became Manager for Western Australia in 1981. After obtaining a Science degree, Mr Chaney worked for eight years as a petroleum geologist in Australia and the USA.

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO

Partner and Chair of The Asia Group’s Australia Practice

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO is a leading expert on Australian public policy and politics who brings a wealth of public and private sector experience spanning national security, industry innovation, economic policy and banking.

Ambassador Sinodinos is responsible for developing and executing the TAG’s business strategy in Australia and supporting C-suite executives from across the firm’s geographic portfolio to manage evolving risks and seize emerging growth opportunities.

Ambassador Sinodinos most recently served as Australian Ambassador to the United States, where he was closely involved in Australia’s negotiations related to AUKUS, the Quad and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. He previously worked as Australia’s Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and was a Senator for New South Wales in the Australian Parliament from 2011 to 2019. During his parliamentary career, he also held other key roles in and outside Cabinet, including Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.

Ambassador Sinodinos lives in Washington with his wife Elizabeth, and their three children.

Mark Wiessing

CEO Rabobank Australia

Mr Wiessing is Chief Executive Officer of Rabobank Australia Limited and also sits on the Board. Mr Wiessing is a member of Rabobank’s global Management Team for Wholesale and Rural and is responsible for the Rabobank Australia and New Zealand Region in his capacity of Regional Manager, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Wiessing has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial sector, including postings in South America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. He joined Rabobank in 2006 and for the past eight years was the Regional Manager South America and Chief Executive Officer Brazil. Prior to Rabobank Mr Wiessing held roles with other leading financial institutions including Standard Bank of South Africa, Citibank and ING.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Nyenrode Business University.

Justin Langer AM

Former Australian Cricket Coach and cricketer

Until the announcement of his retirement from test cricket in 2007 Justin was one of Australia’s great top-order batsmen, playing 105 tests and scoring 7,696 runs including 23 test centuries. He is Australian cricket’s highest first class run scorer, surpassing Sir Don Bradman. Few have worn the baggy green with greater pride.

After retiring from his playing career Justin moved into the coaching arena firstly as Batting-Mentoring Coach of the Australian test cricket team and later as Assistant Coach.

In 2012 Justin was appointed Coach of Western Australian cricket (Perth Scorchers and Western Warriors). In 2018, Justin became Coach of the Australian cricket team. After four years Justin resigned to spend more time with his family and friends.

Justin was entered in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and was awarded Wisden’s Coach of the Year.

After a few years away from coaching, Justin was appointed coach of the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League and still holds that position today.

Justin is a much loved writer for the West Australian newspaper and has also joined the Seven Network’s highly acclaimed broadcast team across the Australian summer of cricket.

Justin is patron of Solaris Care, Children’s Leukemia & Cancer Research Foundation, Kyle Andrews Foundation and an ambassador for the Fathering Project, Ear Science Institute Australia, the Bravery Trust and Ovarian Cancer Australia. He was named as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to Australian cricket in the 2008 Queens Birthday Honors List. Justin is on the board of Mineral Resources and the West Coast Eagles Football Club and a member of the MCC World Cricket Committee. He has written six books and is in the process of writing his next book.

Andrew Haigh

CEO Newcastle Building Society

With over 25 years’ experience in the mutual sector, Andrew has an extensive track record in transforming and developing businesses. He has held financial services leadership roles as both an Executive and a Non-Executive Director, reinforcing the Board’s depth of consumer understanding. His previous experience is drawn from a variety of sectors including financial services, technology, automotive and airline industries.

Andrew became the Society’s Chief Executive in May 2015, having joined the Board as Chief Operating Officer in January 2014. A proven Chief Executive, Andrew has particular strength in building effective leadership teams and organisations with healthy, customer-focused cultures, and proudly drives our Society’s ongoing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Andrew is the current President of the North East England Chamber of Commerce and a Board member of the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.

Besa Deda

Chief Economist, Westpac Group and Chair Australian Business Economists

Besa is the Chief Economist of Westpac’s Business Bank. She is also the Chief Economist of St.George Bank, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA and BT, which are other businesses within the Westpac Group. Besa has been with the group since 2009 and is a key spokesperson on the economy and financial markets. She manages a team of economists, regularly presents to clients and appears in the media. Besa is also Chair of the Australian Business Economists organisation and a member of ANU’s Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis RBA Shadow Board. Besa was appointed the Chief Economist of St.George Bank in 2008, a role which saw her become the first female Chief Economist of a bank in Australia. Prior to this, she worked at the CBA and Colonial. She has previously lectured for the Kaplan Business School and written a regular property column for the Weekend Australian.

David Speers

ABC Insiders

David Speers is the ABC’s National Political Lead and host of Insiders on Sunday mornings. He regularly interviews the nation’s political leaders, decision makers and leading analysts.

Over more than two decades covering federal politics, David has won a number of awards for his interviewing and journalism, including Walkley Awards and a Logie.

David has hosted Election Leaders’ Debates since John Howard v Kevin Rudd in 2007, anchored election night broadcasts and live coverage of every major political moment.

David is based in Canberra and is a past President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Michael Chaney AO

Chair Wesfarmers

Michael Chaney was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2004 for services to business and the community.

Mr Chaney is Chairman of both Wesfarmers and Northern Star Resources Limited. He is also a director of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition Ltd. He is a former director of BHP and Centre for Independent Studies and a former Chairman of NAB, Woodside Petroleum, the National School Resourcing Board and several not-for-profit organisations; and a former Chancellor of The University of Western Australia.

He retired from his position as Managing Director of Wesfarmers in July 2005 and returned as Chairman in 2015. He was appointed Managing Director in July 1992, having been Finance Director since 1984. Mr Chaney joined Wesfarmers in 1983 as Company Secretary and Administration Manager. He joined the Australian Industry Development Corporation in 1980 as a corporate finance executive and became Manager for Western Australia in 1981. After obtaining a Science degree, Mr Chaney worked for eight years as a petroleum geologist in Australia and the USA.

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO

Partner and Chair of The Asia Group’s Australia Practice

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO is a leading expert on Australian public policy and politics who brings a wealth of public and private sector experience spanning national security, industry innovation, economic policy and banking.

Ambassador Sinodinos is responsible for developing and executing the TAG’s business strategy in Australia and supporting C-suite executives from across the firm’s geographic portfolio to manage evolving risks and seize emerging growth opportunities.

Ambassador Sinodinos most recently served as Australian Ambassador to the United States, where he was closely involved in Australia’s negotiations related to AUKUS, the Quad and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. He previously worked as Australia’s Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and was a Senator for New South Wales in the Australian Parliament from 2011 to 2019. During his parliamentary career, he also held other key roles in and outside Cabinet, including Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.

Ambassador Sinodinos lives in Washington with his wife Elizabeth, and their three children.

Mark Wiessing

CEO Rabobank Australia

Mr Wiessing is Chief Executive Officer of Rabobank Australia Limited and also sits on the Board. Mr Wiessing is a member of Rabobank’s global Management Team for Wholesale and Rural and is responsible for the Rabobank Australia and New Zealand Region in his capacity of Regional Manager, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Wiessing has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial sector, including postings in South America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. He joined Rabobank in 2006 and for the past eight years was the Regional Manager South America and Chief Executive Officer Brazil. Prior to Rabobank Mr Wiessing held roles with other leading financial institutions including Standard Bank of South Africa, Citibank and ING.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Nyenrode Business University.

Besa Deda

Chief Economist, Westpac Group and Chair Australian Business Economists

Besa is the Chief Economist of Westpac’s Business Bank. She is also the Chief Economist of St.George Bank, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA and BT, which are other businesses within the Westpac Group. Besa has been with the group since 2009 and is a key spokesperson on the economy and financial markets. She manages a team of economists, regularly presents to clients and appears in the media. Besa is also Chair of the Australian Business Economists organisation and a member of ANU’s Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis RBA Shadow Board. Besa was appointed the Chief Economist of St.George Bank in 2008, a role which saw her become the first female Chief Economist of a bank in Australia. Prior to this, she worked at the CBA and Colonial. She has previously lectured for the Kaplan Business School and written a regular property column for the Weekend Australian.

Andrew Haigh

CEO Newcastle Building Society

With over 25 years’ experience in the mutual sector, Andrew has an extensive track record in transforming and developing businesses. He has held financial services leadership roles as both an Executive and a Non-Executive Director, reinforcing the Board’s depth of consumer understanding. His previous experience is drawn from a variety of sectors including financial services, technology, automotive and airline industries.

Andrew became the Society’s Chief Executive in May 2015, having joined the Board as Chief Operating Officer in January 2014. A proven Chief Executive, Andrew has particular strength in building effective leadership teams and organisations with healthy, customer-focused cultures, and proudly drives our Society’s ongoing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Andrew is the current President of the North East England Chamber of Commerce and a Board member of the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.

Peter Ryan

ABC Senior Business Correspondent

Trish Blake

Commissioner for Consumer Protection WA

Trish Blake is the Commissioner for Consumer Protection. Previously the Director of Retail and Services, Trish also worked in the Legislation and Policy Directorate of Consumer Protection for more than 12 years.

As a passionate advocate for residential tenancies, scam prevention, human rights and product safety, Trish welcomes the opportunity to speak to industry professionals and the media on these important issues. She is a regular guest on ABC Perth’s Drive program, 6PR’s Perth Live program and often features in Consumer Protection television interviews.

Trish has a law degree and is admitted to practice in Western Australia. She also has a degree with Honours in Social Work and a Post Graduate qualification in Public Policy and taught in the Murdoch University’s International Human Rights program for a number of years. This involved taking a cohort of university students from across Australia to Geneva where students get to see first-hand the United Nations and various other bodies in action and where they learn how human rights laws are made and how they are enforced. Prior to working for the Department, Trish spent many years working in Community Legal Centres in WA.

Simon Stead

Chai CBH Group

Simon Stead was appointed as a Director of the CBH Board in February 2015, as Deputy Chair in April 2019, and as Chair in April 2020. He is currently a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Simon runs a mixed sheep, cattle and cropping operation in Cascade and Dalyup in the Esperance port zone. He is a member of the Industry Advisory Board of the UWA Institute of Agriculture and is also a founding member and a past Chair of the Association for Sheep Husbandry, Excellence, Evaluation and Production (ASHEEP).

Simon holds an Executive Certificate in Agribusiness Marketing from Monash University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ben Macnamara

CEO CBH Group

Ben was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of CBH Group in July 2021. Previously, he was Chief Operations Officer, 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.

Rob Slocombe

Group CEO RAC

Rob Slocombe is the Group CEO of RAC in Western Australia (RAC).  RAC started as a motoring club in 1905 and now also provides a range of diverse services to over 1 million Western Australians in the areas of insurance, motoring, finance, travel and tourism, retirement and home services.  RAC also remains a strong advocate for its members on key issues such as road safety, mobility, accessibility and environmental sustainability.

Rob joined the RAC in September 2014 as Chief Operating Officer and from March 2019 became the Group CEO responsible for all group and subsidiary activities. Prior to joining the RAC, Rob spent 27 years in banking and financial services, primarily in retail banking, financial market trading and treasury roles.

Rob holds a certificate in Financial Markets, a Bachelor of Business degree, a Master of Business degree, a Master of Science and Technology degree and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Rob currently serves on the board of Royal Flying Doctor Service where he Chairs the Risk and Audit Committee, the Curtin Advisory Council – Faculty of Business and Law, Chair of the Australian Automobile Association and is a member of the FIA Senate.

David Fraser

CEO Capricorn Society

David has over 38 years’ experience in the automotive industry and has held senior sales, marketing and general management roles over the past two decades. Prior to his appointment as Capricorn’s Group Chief Executive Officer in July 2019 he was CEO of the co-operative’s Automotive Division from 2013.

Before joining Capricorn in 2006, David was Group General Manager of Supply Direct, a wholly owned subsidiary of ASX-listed Ausdrill, and responsible for its operations in Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa and West Africa. He was also a former Associate Director and Group General Manager of ASX-listed Coventry Group Ltd and was responsible for the sales, marketing and administration of the Group’s automotive businesses. He is a current Director of various Capricorn subsidiary Boards, Councillor of the Co-operatives Federation of WA, and a Director and current Chair of Western Australian Motor Industry Foundation. David is also a former Director and past President of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.

Liz Thomas

CEO CEHL

Liz commenced as Managing Director of Common Equity Housing Ltd (CEHL) in November 2021. She has more than 20 years Board Director and Managing Director experience in a range of companies including her own consulting practice. Liz led the transformation of Wayss housing and family violence services in Victoria. She led the development Common Ground social housing project in Tasmania and Australia’s first residential dementia village.

Liz specialises in managing change, stakeholders and bringing people together. She holdsa Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Sociology and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Andrew Hadley

CEO P&N Group

Chief Executive Officer of Police & Nurses Limited (PNL) since 2014, Andrew’s knowledge and experience has been gained from more than 25 years in the financial services industry.

In his early career, Andrew led the retail banking network for Australia’s largest customer-owned financial institution before taking on other group executive roles in strategy, marketing, and operations.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia (1990), a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from Finsia (2004) and has also completed the Senior Executive Program at London Business School (2009). He is also a member of CEOs for Gender Equity (WA).

Basil Lenzo is a third-generation fisherman based in Fremantle and has been a skipper, owner and investor in the industry for over 37 years. He became a shareholder in 2004 and a member of the board in 2007. Basil brings strong business, and investment experience, has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Western Australia and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Basil also serves as an independent director on the Rural Financial Counselling Service WA.

Basil is a member of the Performance and Nomination Committee.

Marc Anderson

CEO Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative

Marc Anderson joined Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative as CEO in March 2024.

Marc is an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and holds a Graduate Diploma in Business (Marketing).

Marc has over 20 years of experience driving superior results in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Marc is a multi-skilled executive with extensive expertise in building and developing brands, international trade, supply-chain management, and stakeholder engagement.

Marc is passionate about food and beverage, as evidenced by his extensive experience with well-known Australian brands like Treasury Wine Estates and Brownes Dairy. His dedication and commitment to excellence in his senior roles have seen him sit on various advisory groups and boards throughout his career.

Justin James

CEO HIF

Justin leads the HIF team to deliver the very best health fund for its community. Having worked in the health care sector for over ten years, Justin is extremely passionate about renewing member confidence in the industry, whilst also improving the value that HIF members receive from their cover. He loves working with diverse-minded people who are committed to listening, connecting and delivering an awesome member experience. Justin spends his spare time enjoying the many new experiences WA has to offer and is always on the hunt for interesting and unusual fungi.

Alison Holloway

CEO SGS Economics & Planning

Alison is CEO of SGS Economics and Planning, a for-purpose employee-owned public policy agency. Before being appointed as CEO in 2017, she led both the Sydney and Melbourne Practices and was a Director of the Company for two years. Alison has over 25 years of experience advising local, state and national governments across public policy, housing, strategic urban and transport planning, and investment decision making.

She Chairs the UNSW City Futures Research Centre Advisory Panel.

Neil Willmett

CEO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland

Neil is an accomplished CEO and Company Director, highly experienced across a range of corporate, government and not-for-profit entities.

A national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing, health, economic development and public administration, he is known as a leading thinker and for his work in strategy and policy development and policy implementation.

Neil has an outstanding record of significant achievement in executive roles in both the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. He has been the CEO of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland since 2021 and has held other Chief Executive Officer positions including with the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC). He was also an Executive Director with Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works where he played a key role in the development of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017 – 2027; the Queensland Building Plan; and the Queensland Procurement Policy; and the implementation of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH).

As well, Neil holds a number of current Directorships, including the National Housing Affordability and Supply Council (a statutory authority which provides independent, evidence-based expert advice to the Australian Government on matters that materially affect the supply and affordability of Australia’s housing); Relationships Australia (Queensland); and Selectability, each of which has interests in improving community outcomes.

His experience and knowledge are complemented with a public health degree from the University of Queensland. He is also a published business author.

Neil has connections to the Waanyi people of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Kuku Yalanji people of Far North Queensland.

Craig Brooke

CEO KeyInvest

Craig has over 25 years in Senior Executive roles within the financial services industry across Australia and the Asia Pacific region, in some of Australia’s largest organisations. His vast experience spans retail banking, enterprise lending, credit transformation, share investing, margin lending, private banking, and financial advice.

Peter Hunt

Managing Director, Mutuo (UK)

Peter founded Mutuo in 2001 as the first cross mutual sector body to promote co-operative and mutual business to opinion formers and decision makers. For ten years prior, he was General Secretary of the Co-operative Party (UK). He is a co-founder of Supporters Direct, the football supporters’ initiative, which went on to establish over 100 supporters’ trusts at professional football clubs.

He led the Parliamentary teams which piloted five private members bills through the UK Parliament, working with all parties to update co-operative and mutual law. He advised the UK Coalition Government on its plans to mutualise Post Office Ltd and in 2012 published the report of the Ownership Commission, a two-year study into corporate diversity.

Peter has worked with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) since 2015, co-authoring the ‘Peoples’ Business’ and ‘Who Owns Europe’ research documents. In 2018/19 he led the successful industry alliance to develop the Australian Treasury Laws Amendment (Mutual Reforms) Act 2019, the first renewal of Australian mutuals legislation for 20 years.

Highlights since then include the successful campaign against the demutualisation of mutual insurer LV= in 2021 and the 2022 Sustainable Mutuals Business Program, with 19 Australian co-operatives and mutuals.

Associate Professor Paul Thambar

Director Mutual Value Lab Monash University

Dr Paul Thambar is an accounting academic with the Department of Accounting at Monash University and came into academia after a long commercial career as a financial controller in banking, insurance, funds management and information technology. Paul’s research interests are in strategy, performance measurement and management controls in commercial, mutual and co-ops and not-for-profit organisations. Paul has researched strategy and management controls in the Australian cotton industry across multiple firms as part of his doctoral research. Paul teaches accounting in the Monash MBA program and in the Master of Accounting program. Prior to joining Monash in February 2016, Paul was at UTS Business School from 2010 to 2015 where he also completed a PhD in Accounting. Paul is a Fellow member (FCMA) of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK and holds the CGMA designation. Paul has led the research team which has worked collaboratively with BCCM and the sector to develop the Mutual Value Measurement (MVM) Framework© which is now being adopted by many CMEs.

Peter Watts

Principal, Watts Sustainability

Peter Watts, Director of Watts Sustainability (UK), is an experienced sustainability consultant helping clients mitigate risks and most importantly understand and implement the opportunities presented by more sustainable ways of working. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. He runs the consultancy Watts Sustainability with a client list including LEGO, DHL, Institute of Cancer Research and ITV amongst many others.

He specialises in the design and implementation of sustainability and ESG strategy with particular expertise on the ‘E’– with projects including helping organisations develop net zero and climate crisis response strategies, setting improvement programs and developing engagement and behaviour change programs.

He has been working with the BCCM on the ESG Sustainable Mutual Value Program and is particularly enthusiastic about how the co-operative and mutual model can deliver benefits to the environment as well as society.

Gillian McFee

Program Director, Care Together

After holding CEO/senior executive and non-executive roles in aged care, disability services, housing and community services for governments and the not-for-profit sector, Gillian immersed herself in understanding the co-operative and mutual business model at a time when she felt there was an opportunity to diversify the ownership structure of social care providers to make way for new business models, including by employees and multi-stakeholders. In 2018, Gillian was instrumental in the formation of Kudos Services served on the Board by the Kudos Members from 2019-2022. From 2005-2011, Gillian was Director, Uniting in NSW.ACT, one of Australia’s largest providers of aged care and home care services.

Michael Pilbrow

BCCM Special Advisor, Care Together Program Manager

Michael Pilbrow is a special advisor for the BCCM and Program Manager for the BCCM’s Care Together program.

Michael is a former diplomat with wide-ranging experience from a grass roots community level, right up to high-level government strategy. Michael is founder of Strategic Development Group and as Chairman, he oversees the company’s governance and growth from its Yass base in regional NSW, Australia. Throughout his business career, Michael has used his strategy and community engagement skills to work on complex challenges like affordable housing, sustainable health and education services, and employment in regional areas.

Pastor Ray Minniecon

Director, Bunji Consultancies

Ray Minniecom is pastor at Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries with St. John’s Anglican Church, Glebe, NSW, Australia. Ray is a Board member with several Indigenous ministries and organisations. He is Founder of the Coloured Digger Project and Consultant to both the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation and the Children of the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home where many Aboriginal children were taken and placed under the Native Welfare Act of NSW. Ray and Sharon are Vision Keepers for the World Christian Gathering of Indigenous Peoples.

Jo Dodd

Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Jo is a leading debt capital markets lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience. Jo specialises in advising a range of financial institutions and corporates on debt capital markets transactions and regulatory matters. She has a particular focus on regulatory capital and other hybrid securities in both retail and debt markets. Jo’s expertise spans all debt capital markets instruments, and includes debt issuance programmes and drawdowns, standalone issuances, retail bond and regulatory capital offerings and liability management transactions. She has extensive experience across developments in financial and prudential regulation, the retail corporate bond market, sustainable finance and digital bonds.  Jo has been advising mutuals for many years in relation to capital raising and prudential matters.  She is a Partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

Mark Love

Legal Director, BAL Lawyers

Mark has practised the full spectrum of business and corporate law for more than 34 years.  He is one of the firm’s founding name Directors and is a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law.

His practice concentrates on the areas of contract and commercial law, contract negotiation and drafting, as well as enforcement and compliance strategies. His practice has involved all manner of business-related matters, ranging from advising on the placement of high-end Cray computers in defense sensitive environments to drafting standard terms of sale for goods and services, leasing and hire/acquisition arrangements.

Mark works extensively in the field of corporate duties, including enforcement of duties in the course of insolvency and was a course developer and nearing 20 years a course facilitator of the AICD “Director Duties and Responsibilities” module. He was a long-term director and Deputy Chairman of “Exhibition Park in Canberra”, an ACT Government Corporation. He was formerly the Chair of the ACT Law Society Legal Practice and Ethics Committee. He is experienced in corporate governance law, insolvency, restructuring and intellectual property. Mark’s clients include private industry, government agencies, peak industry representative bodies, Chartered and CPA accountants, insolvency practitioners, corporate retailers and co-operatives.

Dr Michael Schaper

Chair Energy Consumers Australia

Dr Michael Schaper was announced as the new Chair of Energy Consumers Australia, the independent, national voice for residential and small business energy consumers, in January 2024.

He was confirmed in the role by the South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP, in his role as the sole ‘member’ of Energy Consumers Australia, on behalf of federal, state and territory energy ministers.

Dr Schaper was previously Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Small Business Commissioner for the Australian Capital Territory. He will replace Ms Louise Sylvan AM, Energy Consumers Australia’s inaugural Chair, who has served in the role for the last nine years.

Tari Makanda

Partner – Audit & Assurance, Grant Thornton

Tari is a Partner within Grant Thornton Australia Limited (GTAL) based in Sydney and has been with GTAL since 2017. Before, Tari held various positions in Audit and Assurance with PwC Sydney, EY Cayman Islands and EY Zimbabwe working predominantly within Banking and Asset Management.

Tari is an experienced financial services industry advisor with a  focus on leading and conducting external & internal audits, compliance engagements, regulatory audits including APRA and AFSL engagements as well as facilitating risk and control assessments.

Tari is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Institute of Chartered Accountants Zimbabwe and Institute of Internal Auditors Australia.

Simon Venus

Partner, Piper Alderman

Simon is a lawyer and partner in Piper Alderman’s Corporate Division. He acts on a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions for Australian and international corporations, fund managers and high net worth families and private clients and co-operatives.  He is the National Head of the firm’s Agribusiness Practice Group and has significant experience acting on corporate and commercial agribusiness transactions across Australia.

He has completed a program at Monash University on Co-operative Leadership and Governance and has advised co-operatives in a range of industries including meat, dairy, grains, fruit, fishing, edible nuts and retail.  He has a particular interest in co-operatives and was appointed as a legal panellist to the Australian Government’s Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration program.  He has also been a Director of the peak national agri body, Agribusiness Australia, as well as an inaugural member of the South Australian Agribusiness Council.

Among current roles, he is an inaugural member of the Agribusiness Advisory Board at the University of Adelaide’s School of Business, a trustee of the Michell Bequest Foundation, a Director of Rural Business Support SA & NT and a Director on the boards of several private client companies.

Rohan Mead

Chair, BCCM
Group Managing Director and CEO, Australian Unity

Rohan was appointed Group Managing Director of Australian Unity Limited on 1 July 2004. As Group Managing Director, he is a member of subsidiary boards and most committees. Rohan is Chairman of the Business Council of Australia’s Healthy Australia task force and a member of its Indigenous Engagement task force. He is also a Director of the Centre for Independent Studies, Platypus Asset Management Pty Limited & Private Healthcare Australia Limited (PHA).

Prior to joining Australian Unity, Rohan was employed by Perpetual Trustees Australia Limited (1996-2003) in a range of senior roles.

Melina Morrison

CEO BCCM

Anthony Taylor

Policy and Government Affairs Manager, BCCM

Anthony Taylor is the BCCM’s Policy and Government Affairs Manager, responsible for government submissions, policy reviews and advocacy efforts. He also oversees the Public Affairs and Secretary forums.

Anthony possesses extensive knowledge of co-operative and mutual law and regulation in Australia. Since joining the BCCM in 2017, he has held various policy roles and supported co-operative development projects such as Co-operative Farming and Care Together.

In addition to his policy work, Anthony is Company Secretary for the BCCM and Secretary of 888 Co-operative Causeway Limited.

Anthony holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

Rade Musulin

Principal, Finity Consulting

Rade is a Principal at Finity based in Sydney. He was named as the joint 2023 Actuary of the Year by the Actuaries Institute. He is an US trained Actuary, and has 40 years’ experience in General Insurance specialising particularly in property pricing, natural perils, reinsurance, mutuals and co-operatives, agriculture, catastrophe risk modelling, public policy development, and climate risk. His main areas of interest include how changing population demographics affect catastrophe exposure, climate change adaptation, applications of catastrophe models for disaster planning in developing countries, building code development, and community resilience.

The Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC

WA Minister for Agriculture and Small Business

The Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC is the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry, and Small Business and has been Member for the South West Region in the Legislative Council since 2021.

Jarvis lives in Margaret River and has established her Electorate Office in the town.

Prior to entering politics, Jarvis started her career in the finance industry before moving to Margaret River in 1998 and establishing a commercial vineyard and winery with her husband Matt. They launched the Jarvis Estate wine brand in 2002.

David Speers

ABC Insiders

David Speers is the ABC’s National Political Lead and host of Insiders on Sunday mornings. He regularly interviews the nation’s political leaders, decision makers and leading analysts.

Over more than two decades covering federal politics, David has won a number of awards for his interviewing and journalism, including Walkley Awards and a Logie.

David has hosted Election Leaders’ Debates since John Howard v Kevin Rudd in 2007, anchored election night broadcasts and live coverage of every major political moment.

David is based in Canberra and is a past President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Justin Langer AM

Former Australian Cricket Coach and cricketer

Until the announcement of his retirement from test cricket in 2007 Justin was one of Australia’s great top-order batsmen, playing 105 tests and scoring 7,696 runs including 23 test centuries. He is Australian cricket’s highest first class run scorer, surpassing Sir Don Bradman. Few have worn the baggy green with greater pride.

After retiring from his playing career Justin moved into the coaching arena firstly as Batting-Mentoring Coach of the Australian test cricket team and later as Assistant Coach.

In 2012 Justin was appointed Coach of Western Australian cricket (Perth Scorchers and Western Warriors). In 2018, Justin became Coach of the Australian cricket team. After four years Justin resigned to spend more time with his family and friends.

Justin was entered in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and was awarded Wisden’s Coach of the Year.

After a few years away from coaching, Justin was appointed coach of the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League and still holds that position today.

Justin is a much loved writer for the West Australian newspaper and has also joined the Seven Network’s highly acclaimed broadcast team across the Australian summer of cricket.

Justin is patron of Solaris Care, Children’s Leukemia & Cancer Research Foundation, Kyle Andrews Foundation and an ambassador for the Fathering Project, Ear Science Institute Australia, the Bravery Trust and Ovarian Cancer Australia. He was named as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to Australian cricket in the 2008 Queens Birthday Honors List. Justin is on the board of Mineral Resources and the West Coast Eagles Football Club and a member of the MCC World Cricket Committee. He has written six books and is in the process of writing his next book.

Ben Macnamara

CEO CBH Group

Ben was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of CBH Group in July 2021. Previously, he was Chief Operations Officer, 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.

Rob Slocombe

Group CEO RAC

Rob Slocombe is the Group CEO of RAC in Western Australia (RAC).  RAC started as a motoring club in 1905 and now also provides a range of diverse services to over 1 million Western Australians in the areas of insurance, motoring, finance, travel and tourism, retirement and home services.  RAC also remains a strong advocate for its members on key issues such as road safety, mobility, accessibility and environmental sustainability.

Rob joined the RAC in September 2014 as Chief Operating Officer and from March 2019 became the Group CEO responsible for all group and subsidiary activities. Prior to joining the RAC, Rob spent 27 years in banking and financial services, primarily in retail banking, financial market trading and treasury roles.

Rob holds a certificate in Financial Markets, a Bachelor of Business degree, a Master of Business degree, a Master of Science and Technology degree and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Rob currently serves on the board of Royal Flying Doctor Service where he Chairs the Risk and Audit Committee, the Curtin Advisory Council – Faculty of Business and Law, Chair of the Australian Automobile Association and is a member of the FIA Senate.