Program - Risk management for uncertain times

 John  Hird, Southern Ocean Lodge

With 40 Years of hospitality industry experience in the UK, Switzerland, SE Asia and Australia John has spent the last 9 years managing the world-renowned Sothern Ocean Lodge together with partner Alison Heath. As the business has grown so has the need for adaptation and expansion of policy and procedures along with compliance an risk management. Since the Fire that destroyed SOL, John is concentrated on the project of re-building and re-opening this Australian tourism Icon.

Ed Westrich, More than Hi-Vis

Ed is the owner and Principal Consultant of More than Hi-Vis, a consultancy that specialises in Safety within the agricultural sector.  Prior to establishing More than Hi-Vis in 2017, Ed was Regional Health and Safety Manager for ANZ Supply of Treasury Wine Estates.  Ed holds a Bachelor’s and Masters Degree from Indiana State University. Ed has worked in start-up and multi-site operations across the United States, Japan and Australia.

Rowan McMonnies, Managing Director, Australian Eggs

As Managing Director of Australian Eggs since 2016, Rowan McMonnies has led the industry owned research and development corporation through a period of renewal as the industry adjusts to rapidly changing consumer preferences and industry developments.

Rowan has been closely involved in cross-sector initiatives on community trust, innovation and animal welfare and has worked as part of cross-sector responses on biosecurity incidents.

Rowan has a legal and compliance background and was previously a partner at global law firm, Baker & McKenzie, with a focus on the agriculture sector and held senior positions at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Jo Andrew, Mellor Olsson Lawyers

Joanna joined Mellor Olsson in 2003 and became a Partner in 2008. She started her career practicing predominantly in negligence claims.

Joanna frequently conducts internal investigations on behalf of employers, a practice which combines her skills and experience in both corporate governance and employment law. This work involves identifying and managing risks, the development of policies, procedures and structures, reporting findings and recommendations to stakeholders and liaising with external third parties, such as government agencies, on behalf of clients.

She consults to businesses and industry bodies on corporate governance and Directors' duties and provides training in these areas at both Board and individual level. Joanna regularly undertakes Board and Director performance evaluations and structure reviews.

She is a Facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors: Company Directors Course for Day two "The Board's Legal Environment" together with day five “Achieving Board Effectiveness”.

Joanna’s current board positions include Chairman of South Australian Produce Markets Limited where she also serves on the Finance, Audit and Governance Committee, Non-Executive Director of the Beston Global Food Company where she also is appointed Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and Non-Executive Director of the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority. She is also a sitting member of the National Sports Tribunal and the SANFL Player Payment Investigation Committee.

Her previous board experience includes Chair positions for Australian Vignerons (formerly Wine Grape Growers Australia and now Australian Grape & Wine Inc), Brain Injury South Australia and the Julia Farr Housing Association. Her previous Non-Executive Director roles were with Adelaide University Business School Advisory Board, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, Uniting Communities and Crime Stoppers SA

Andrew  Wilsmore, Alcohol Beverages Australia

Andrew is a senior executive with extensive experience in the retail, hospitality, tourism, and agricultural sectors who brings a wide range of skills to ABA including business strategy development and execution, organisational and team cultural change abilities, operational management, financial and fiduciary skills and team management.  He also acts as an advisor and advocate to both internal and external business and political leaders.