Finding the Front

Jennifer Westacott AO, Former Chief Exec. of the Business Council of Australia, Non-Exec. Director of Wesfarmers, Chair of Future Generation Global & Non Exec. Director of ATCO Australia

Our special guest for this Ep is Jennifer Westacott AO and what a conversation it is – an inspiring story of one of Australia’s leading women. After growing up in public housing in a troubled family environment, Jennifer became (amongst lots more) Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia for some 12 years, Non-Exec Director of Wesfarmers, Chair of Future Generation Global, the first female Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Board Member of energy company ATCO Australia and Co-Patron of Pride in Diversity. Over her journey Jennifer provides her first hand insights into the housing shortage in Australia, her views on Corporate Australia, meeting Donald Trump and when he was President and other international leaders, the role of the Private Sector and her views on WA as an economic power house of Australia including her take on policies making mining difficult. She discusses energy supply and her role with ATCO. She also provides her highly qualified perspective on Tertiary education and where it goes next, and the building of the new airport and city in Western Sydney (which she Chairs) which is a game changer for Australia. Jennifer was awarded a Centenary Medal and an Order of Australia. This really is an inspiring story with a national and WA perspective.

Nathan Blackburne, Managing Director of Cedar Woods Properties

For all those who love property and seek some insight into the property development sector and current property market - look no further. Our special guest for this brand new episode is Nathan Blackburne, the Managing Director of one of Australia’s leading property developers Cedar Woods Properties that was established way back in 1987. Nathan is a leader in his field. He comes from a family upbringing steeped in property history and his national journey to his current role, including 17 years in Melbourne and some 23 years with Cedar Woods provides some very valuable insights. Nathan shares his perspective on the opportunities but also the challenges of Australia’s property market. There are some such excellent takeaways. 

Nina Webster, CEO & Managing Director of Dimerix

In this fantastic new episode of Euroz Hartleys Finding the Front we have a very special guest, Dr Nina Webster, the CEO & MD of clinical stage biopharmaceutical company Dimerix (ASX:DXB). Nina has more than 30 years experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry and has a wonderful story of starting out as a trainee lab technician to working hard, building her knowledge base through some serious education (including a PhD) and extending herself in her career roles, to becoming a leader of a company, Dimerix, that is working to improve the lives of patients globally with inflammatory diseases such as the fast growing and well known kidney disease. This is a fascinating insight into the nature of biotech companies, their growth path and their challenges. Nina speaks so well and reflects on her journey so far with many insights and takeaways on her experiences and the biotech industry as a whole.

Marnie Finlayson, Managing Director, Rio Tinto and Non-Executive Director, Northern Star

In this episode we are very lucky to have a Managing Director and a leader in mining giant Rio Tinto, and a Non-Executive Director gold miner Northern Star, join the show. Marnie Finlayson is truly a leader in the field she loves – mining - and what a story this is!

Her journey, from being just out of school doing the hard yards shovelling 12 hours a day under the crusher on the Sons of Gwalia mine to being the Managing Director of Rio’s Battery Materials business really is something.

Moving around Australia as a metallurgist gaining experience across a range of commodities including iron ore, base metals, diamonds and coal is just the start. Overlay this with being General Manager for Port Maintenance for Rio Tinto Iron Ore, General Manager Operations for Dampier Salt and Serbia Country Head for Rio Tinto responsible for their Jadar deposit in Western Serbia provides some hugely valuable insights into building a career in mining, leadership, being part of a team, her challenges and the difficult decisions, and her deep insights across the mining sector including her global lithium views and understanding.

Marnie speaks so well and provides an inspiring showcase for women in mining and makes for seriously compelling listening.

Simon Lawson, Managing Director of Spartan Resources

Our special guest for this Episode is Simon Lawson the MD of Spartan Resources. “Walking the path of opportunity”, “drilling like you are going to go out of business tomorrow, drill like you absolutely NEED to make that discovery” or “challenge the accepted” are narratives that apply to this fantastic story. Simon was born on the South Island of NZ, eventually achieved a Masters in Science majoring in Geology then carved out a career in the Mining industry of WA. His journey includes household names like Jubilee Mines, Silver Lake and Northern Star forming the fabric of why he is highly regarded as a hunter of gold and the way he approaches his leadership role today. This is a story that is driven by a passion and love of what he does for a living. Lots of takeaways for those who also love the Mining industry and being a part of it.

Brandon Munro, Executive Chair and MD of Bannerman Energy

Our special guest on this episode is Brandon Munro, the Executive Chair and MD of listed Uranium development company, Bannerman Energy. Brandon is a corporate lawyer by profession who has built an entrepreneurial career that developed into a passion and leadership in the field of mining, in the country of Namibia in southern Africa, in the commodity of Uranium.

Brandon was born in South Africa but moved to Australia when he was very young, his family background is fascinating when you see where he has ended up (eg. amongst other things Brandon co-authored the Namibian Mining Charter). Brandon has deep insights into the world of Uranium and Nuclear Power. We talk about the impacts of the Fukushima earthquake on the nuclear industry and the long journey back to the current standing and the future possibilities for Uranium.

As a side note, Brandon was also the Captain of the Prague Cricket Club, leading them to a trifecta of trophies in the Czech/Eastern European League!

A great conversation with many takeaways.

Mark Bennett, Executive Chair of S2 Resources

What an opportunity we have in this episode to have a captivating chat with veteran exploration and mining legend Dr Mark Bennett, the founding MD and CEO of huge success story Sirius Resources which was acquired by IGO for $1.8 billion dollars in 2015. Mark is now the Executive Chair of the follow on company from Sirius, S2 Resources. Mark has an enviable exploration track record of finding mineral deposits and building mines but what a background story he has. He grew up in Birmingham in the West Midlands region of England eventually arriving in Australia on the slight chance of a job in geology with Western Mining Corporation. Well the rest is history with Mark, amongst other things, making massive company making discoveries like the Thunderbox gold discovery and the Nova-Bollinger nickel copper deposit. In recognition of his amazing achievements Mark was twice awarded the prestigious AMEC Prospector of the Year in 2002 and then again over 10 years later in 2013 which says it all.

Michael (Mick ) Caratti, Non-Executive Director, Lycopodium

Our very special guest for this episode is a Lycopodium legend, an original founding member and Chair since inception until last year – 40 year mineral processing industry veteran - Mr Michael (Mick) Caratti.

An electrical engineer that grew up in Wollongong in NSW who through a couple of sliding door decisions ended up in WA and became a key founding member of the team that has grown Lycopodium into the leading global integrated engineering, construction and asset management solutions provider success story it has become. This is truly a wonderful story told by an understated, highly regarded, absolute leader in his field.

Robert Scott, MD and CEO of Wesfarmers

For our last episode for 2023 our very special guest is Mr Robert Scott, the MD and CEO of one of Australia’s most well known and highly respected companies, the iconic Wesfarmers. Rob is a high achiever. An dual Olympian in rowing winning the silver medal in 1996 in the Atlanta games, a dedicated family man and only the eighth CEO in Wesfarmers 100 plus year history – need more be said.  This is a captivating broad ranging conversation with Rob offering so many detailed insights and takeaways.

Anthony Kiernan AM, Non-Exec. Chair of Genesis Minerals & Non-Exec. Chair of Pilbara Minerals

What an absolute cracker of an episode we have today – Mr Anthony Kiernan AM, Non-Exec Chair of lithium powerhouse Pilbara Minerals and growing Leonora gold company Genesis Minerals.

Tony is a highly respected and highly regarded, 35 year veteran in the management and operation of listed public companies and has many highlights from a wonderfully impressive career. These include over the years being Non-Exec Chair of BC Iron, Non-Exec Chair of Chalice Mining and Non-Exec Chair of Saracen Minerals.

Tony provides some seriously fantastic insights into his career and his observations including the deal making with Saracen such as buying 50% of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit, the mighty lithium growth story - and the challenges - since he commenced as Chair of Pilbara Minerals in 2016, his views on the role of a Board and the Chair and the challenges of cost inflation and labour in the mining sector. 

Tony’s firm belief in the importance of cash flow, dividends and his love of the mining sector and the people involved shines through.

He was awarded a member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to business and the community which says it all.