sign in sign up
<<
Home , Greater Western Sydney, Property NSW, UrbanGrowth NSW, Western Sydney Parklands

Western meets East London North & South of the Thames

Steering Committee and delegate bios

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North NSW 1750 September 2019 | Page 1 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour Steering Committee - bios

Christopher Brown AM Chairman and Founder, Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue

Christopher retired as Pro Chancellor of Western Sydney after eight years as a Trustee and Director, in mid-2019. He continues to serve on the boards of the Western Sydney University Academy and External Affairs Committee.

Having served on dozens of government boards over 30 years, he was a member of the Federal/State commission that chose the Badgerys Creek Airport site and then devised an advocacy campaign to secure Cabinet support. He served on the NSW Transport & Planning Blueprint Panel that first recognised Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD and advises News Corp’s ‘Go West/Project Sydney’ editorial campaign.

Christopher chaired the WestLine Partnership, which secured a light rail connection in the Olympic Corridor, and the Western Sydney Rail Alliance, which secured $5+ billion to build north/south rail connections to Badgerys Creek. He was founding Convenor of the Parramatta Partnership Forum and the Committee for Liverpool, and now manages the Canterbury- Forum and Advance civic leadership forums. He chairs the Local Health Advisory Board and served as an adviser to the .

Raised and educated in Parramatta, he was awarded Australian Honours for services to industry and community in 2014.

Leanne Bloch-Jorgensen Head of Thought Leadership and Insights, Corporate and Institutional Bank, National Australia Bank

Leanne has spent more than 25 years in the banking and finance sector, having held a variety of strategic and transactional roles in both major domestic and boutique investment banks. She joined NAB in 2010 where her roles have spanned portfolio investment, new product and channel development in Islamic finance, impact investing and infrastructure, and strategy. More recently, she has held the position of Head of Thought Leadership and Insights, delivering macro thematic and segment specific content to NAB’s Corporate and Institutional clients. The role is focussed on building customer strength, success and resilience through insight into some of the big trends and issues on the horizon. A key focus is ESG, sustainability and the creation of shared value.

Prior to NAB, Leanne spent a number of years at a boutique investment bank delivering debt solutions for global wholesale and listed property funds in Australia, the US and . Leanne began her career at ANZ where she joined as a Graduate after completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of . During her 9 years at ANZ, she worked across the breadth of debt capital markets including loan syndications, bond origination and securitisation.

Leanne’s experience includes a non-executive directorship of a non-profit organisation based in Western Sydney and an advisory committee member role of a philanthropic foundation. She currently holds a board position on a NAB subsidiary board.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 2 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour Steering Committee - bios

John Burton OBE Managing Director, Urban Regeneration, Lendlease

John joined Lendlease as Managing Director, Urban Regeneration in July 2018 with over 30 years of industry experience in Australian and global real estate. In this role, he oversees Australia’s Urban Regeneration business. Renowned for its major mixed-used urbanisation projects, Lendlease has more than $13 billion worth of major urbanisation projects in four targeted gateway cities across Australia.

Prior to joining Lendlease, John was Head of Development for Westfield in the UK and Europe. He has strong negotiation and delivery capability skills having managed primarily led mixed-use regeneration of urban precincts in and adjacent to core areas of economic activity. This includes leading the development of Westfield Stratford City, the company’s largest single development as well as its first major development in continental Europe in Milan.

In 2013, John was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to urban regeneration and the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. He was previously a director of the Australian/UK Chamber of Commerce in London.

Professor Barney Glover AO Vice-Chancellor and President, Western Sydney University

Professor Barney Glover AO assumed his position at Western Sydney University in January 2014.

Professor Glover is currently the President of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Trust and the representative on the University of the South Pacific Grants Committee. He is also a Board Member of the Australian American Fulbright Commission, and the Committee for Sydney, and, Member of the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council and the NSW Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Professor Glover is an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), a Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW (FRSN), and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

Professor Glover’s esteemed career includes significant expertise and experience at the most senior levels of university management and substantial business leadership credentials. He has also served on the boards of a range of corporate organisations and several state and national centres covering areas such as health and medical research, energy, mineral exploration, and telecommunications.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 3 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour Steering Committee - bios

Dr Sarah Hill RPIA (Fellow)* Chief Executive Officer, Greater Sydney Commission

Sarah commenced as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Sydney Commission in January 2016.

Following extensive engagement with the community, Sarah led the organisation in developing the Commission’s vision for ‘a metropolis of three cities’ into the Greater Sydney Plan and five District Plans adopted by the NSW Government in March 2018. She has prior experience in the UK working on affordable housing strategies and the creation of a new planning authority known as the London Olympic and Paralympic Joint Planning Authority responsible for the master-planning and approvals for the London 2012 and its Legacy.

A past-President of the NSW Division of the Planning Institute of Australia, 2016-17 PIA Planner of the Year and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Sarah has received two international planning awards including the Mayor of London’s Award for Excellence and the Royal Town Planning Institute Award for Planning.

Sarah is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building and in 2018 completed her Doctoral thesis on the economics of planning in NSW.

* Due to Parliamentary Committee duties, Sarah Hill and Jon Lamonte will not be joining the delegation in London, but have been significant contributors to the tour’s Steering Committee.

Dr Jon Lamonte* Chief Executive, Sydney Metro, Transport for NSW

Jon Lamonte joined Sydney Metro as Chief Executive in November 2018, relocating to Sydney from his role as CEO of Transport for Greater Manchester. His portfolio in Manchester covered rail, bus, tram, highways, cycling and other forms of active transport; in this role he was responsible for delivering the largest transport capital program outside of London, including expanding the public transport network, smart ticketing solutions and a range of new interchanges.

Prior to this, Jon was the CEO of Tube Lines from 2011 – 12, where, as part of Transport for London, he was responsible for the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of the underground infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

Jon joined from the Royal Air Force (RAF) where he fulfilled a number of senior operational roles and led major project delivery. His final role was Chief of Staff, Strategy, Policy and Plans, which included co-leading the Strategic Defence and Security Review into the maritime programme for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Other senior roles included Director-General Finance for Defence Equipment and Support, the MoD’s £17bn a year procurement and logistics organisation, and running the RAF’s largest base, Brize Norton, with over 4,500 people and three fleets of transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft. He served in the Falklands, and the former Yugoslavia.

An active member of the Institute of Directors, Jon has strong experience in leading change, driving efficiency and motivating large workforces. He achieved a PhD in History from Birmingham University in 2011.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 4 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour Steering Committee - bios

Amanda Larkin Chief Executive Officer, South Western Sydney Local Health District

Amanda Larkin leads more than 12,000 staff at the South Western Sydney Local Health District as the Chief Executive. As part of her role, Amanda provides strategic leadership and sound governance to achieve safe, equitable and quality healthcare for the booming and diverse population of south western Sydney.

Amanda is responsible for all south western Sydney public health services, across an area stretching from Bankstown to Bowral, including small community health centres, five district hospitals and a major referral hospital.

She is devoted to further developing south western Sydney as a hub for health, research and education excellence, identified as a key priority in the South Western Sydney Local Health District’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021.

Additionally, Amanda currently serves as a Board member of the Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Primary Health Network and Health Infrastructure.

Charles Moore Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Olympic Authority

Charles is the CEO, Authority, having been appointed to the role in November 2016. The Authority is responsible for managing and developing the 640 hectares that comprise Sydney Olympic Park. This includes the provision of asset and facility management services across the $2B portfolio (including seven internationally- recognised sporting venues), delivery of events and place management functions as well as the conservation and protection of the unique ecosystems and heritage assets located within the precinct.

Charles has over 25 years’ experience across funds management, asset management, place management, structured property finance, valuation, sales and leasing. Charles is recognised for consistently delivering strong operating outcomes.

Prior to commencing his role at the Authority Charles consulted to Property NSW on a number of strategic corporatisation initiatives and was the Fund Manager for the Commonwealth Property Office Fund (CPA), a top 10 ASX listed REIT. During his tenure at CPA he drove the expansion of the business from $2billion of assets under management to $4billion. A significant proportion of this growth was through organic development.

Charles has completed the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD, holds a Bachelor of Business (Land Economy), and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance. Charles is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and is a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 5 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour Steering Committee - bios

Kerryn Vine-Camp Executive Director, Western Sydney Unit Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Cities

Kerryn is an experienced senior executive who has worked extensively across policy and program delivery domains in a number of Australian government departments. In her current role leading the Western Sydney Unit in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional development and Cities she is excited to be combining these skills honed at the federal and state level with a passion for aviation and community outcomes.

Dr Tim Williams Cities Leader, Arup BA, PGCE, Ph.D, Barrister at Law

Tim Williams has extensive experience in urban policy, public-private partnerships and major infrastructure and transport projects at all levels of government in Australia and the UK. Tim is currently Principal and Head of Cities for ARUP Australasia and Chair of Open Cities, focusing on next generation infrastructure and the circular economy.

Tim was for 6 years the CEO of the Committee for Sydney, helping to make it one of the top policy forums in Australia. Tim was Special or Specialist Advisor to 5 UK Ministers on urban renewal, local government and housing. He was CEO Thames Gateway London Partnership which secured significant investment in infrastructure for East London and on the Board of ‘London Remade’, which was established to develop market opportunities to recycle and reuse waste and resources as part of the Gateway project, using procurement processes and other strategies to incentivise business and communities. Because of these activities Tim was named by his peers in 2003 as the leading personality in Urban Regeneration in the UK. Tim had also been one of the first associate members of Tony Blair’s Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit.

Tim was a member of the Australian National Cities Reference Group (2016-18), the NSW Government Tech Start-Up Eco-system Working Party (2018 to date) Chair of Infrastructure NSW Smart Cities Local Government Working Party (2018) and a Board member of several community housing providers.

He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Business School and Western Sydney University Department of Sociology and Geography where he was also awarded an honorary doctorate for his services to Western Sydney. He is from Old South Wales.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 6 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Richard Alcock AO Chairman, Western Sydney Local Health District and Vice Chairman Global Banking & Markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Richard Alcock is Chairman of Western Sydney Local Health District and Vice Chairman Global Banking & Markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Richard has held senior leadership roles in NSW Health Districts since 2010 and has led the sector coverage for Transport, Infrastructure, Power & Utilities at Bank of America Merrill Lynch from 2006 to 2018. In 2018, Richard was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community particularly through health management roles, the law, corporate governance and higher education organisations.

Peter Anderson Executive Director Communities Plus, Land and Housing Corporation

Mr Peter Anderson is Executive Director, Communities Plus at the Land and Housing Corporation, leading the $22 billion redevelopment program to deliver more social housing and a better experience for social housing residents. Key projects of the Communities Plus program include the redevelopment of major social housing estates at Waterloo, Telopea, Macquarie Park and Riverwood. Over a 10-year period, the program aims to deliver 23,000 new and replacement social housing dwellings in mixed communities, alongside private and affordable housing.

Peter is a business leader in management, urban planning and property development, having held consultancy and CEO reporting roles across the private and public sectors for over 30 years. These include roles with Stockland, Landcom and UrbanGrowth NSW.

Kirsten Andrews Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor and Director, Government Relations

Kirsten Andrews commenced as the Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sydney in 2019. Prior to that, she was the Director of Media and Government Relations at the University, where she was responsible for a team of 15 staff working in faculties and University-wide roles, covering issues management, commenting on daily news and promoting the University’s research output.

Prior to her work at the University, Kirsten spent ten years working for Members of Parliament including as Chief of Staff to an Australian Government Cabinet Minister and Deputy Director of Communications to the Premier of New South Wales. Her roles for politicians included work in portfolios including child protection, emergency services, local government and .

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 7 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Clr Khal Asfour Mayor, City of Canterbury Bankstown

Khal Asfour was first elected as Councillor of the former Bankstown City Council in 2004. Since that time, he has held the role of Deputy Mayor from 2008 to 2011and Mayor from 2011 to 2014 and again in 2015. With the creation of Canterbury Bankstown Council, Khal was elected as the inaugural Mayor of the City, the largest council in NSW by population, with more than 350,000 residents, and gross regional product estimated at $14.29 billion.

He was elected to the Board of Local Government NSW (LGNSW) and appointed Senior Vice President of the Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC).

As Mayor, he is dedicated to building stronger ties between Council, community and businesses across the city. He leads the advocacy on important matters such as the promotion of economic prosperity and appropriate urban renewal supported by the necessary infrastructure. One of his passions and priorities is using data and technology to deliver real improvements to the community he serves.

David Borger OAM Executive Director, Western Sydney Business Chamber

David is the inaugural Executive Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber, which works with members to engage with decision makers and advocate for enlightened public policy that shifts the needle on jobs in Western Sydney. Prior to this, he served in the NSW Labor Government as the Minister for Roads, Minister assisting the Minister for Transport and Roads, Minister for Housing, as well as Minister for Western Sydney.

David led a campaign in support of the Western at Badgerys Creek including establishing the Alliance, and collaborated with CEOs, managing partners and Vice Chancellors to support campaigns like the to Parramatta, the Westmead and Liverpool Innovation Districts, Sydney Olympic Park, and West Metro.

James Carey Director City Future, City of Canterbury Bankstown

With 30 years experience in Local and State Government and University teaching, including a stint on the other side of the world, James has led a diversity of portfolios including: • Strategic land-use planning and urban design • Community, economic and environmental sustainability planning • Delivery of multi-million dollar capital projects covering buildings, streetscape and public domain, environmental and open space works • Service delivery in areas of aquatics, heritage and environment • Corporate and business improvement and change management • Communications, media and community engagement • Environmental science and research

James’ goal is to develop imaginative city shaping policies along with the delivery of inventive smart city projects that deliver creative, liveable, sustainable places.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 8 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Joseph Carrozzi Partner, PwC

Joseph Carrozzi is responsible for managing the firm’s relationships with some of the largest organisations in Australia, both ASX100 listed companies and major multi-nationals operating in Australia.

He has been a partner for over 22 years and has in excess of 30 years in the accounting profession. Joseph is the Leader for the NSW Government practice, a practice of over 70 professionals in NSW focused on providing citizen centred outcomes to NSW Government and Government agencies. He also leads the PwC National Cities agenda, focused on connecting PwC’s skills to the key social, economic and urban issues facing our cities.

Rev. Bill Crews AM Founder & CEO, Exodus Foundation

Rev. Bill Crews AM is the founder and CEO of The Exodus Foundation and The Bill Crews Charitable Trust - together they give 200,000 meals to the poor and homeless every year.

Rev. Crews has been awarded The Rotary Foundation International Award “Paul Harris Fellow”, and voted Father of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year. In 1999 Rev. Crews was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the disadvantaged and his work with homeless youth.

Rev. Crews has also been included in the National Trust’s list of 100 “National Living Treasures”.

Caitlin Francis Partner, EY

Caitlin is a Strategy partner and EY’s account lead for NSW Health. She has over 20 years of experience in both Australia and the UK, advising government departments and agencies, private health insurance and peak bodies in health policy development, large scale program implementation and evaluation across the continuum of care.

A trained economist and chartered accountant with a Masters in Public Health, she has a comprehensive understanding of the financial, governance and policy issues at play within the Australian health system. Current areas of focus include: data-led performance improvement, primary care reform and digital strategy and transformation.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 9 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Rebecca Grasso Director City Growth, Campbelltown City Council

Rebecca Grasso is the recently appointed Director City Growth for Campbelltown City Council, with responsibility for growing its economy, sustainability, resilience, cultural identity and organisational capability. She is the custodian of initiatives such as the implementation of Reimagining Campbelltown ; the development of the Campbelltown’s Economic Development Strategy, Sustainability and Resilience Framework and the new City identity. With over 25 years in local government, Rebecca is committed to promoting the aspirations of Western Sydney.

In her previous role as Director of City Identity, Experience and Engagement at the , Rebecca led a number of significant City-shaping projects and strategic planning activities. She was responsible for the City’s economic development and city marketing strategy and program; arts, culture and city activation programs; and for developing the City’s community and stakeholder engagement, and research and insights capability. Over the past 15 years, Rebecca led key initiatives promoting the growth of Parramatta’s reputation that in turn has contributed to unprecedented commercial and government infrastructure investment.

David Harding Leader - Transport Developments & Western Sydney, ARUP

David joined Arup in 2015 to lead Arup’s Rail Business in NSW/ACT. He now heads the Transport Developments business and delivery from the Sydney office, as well as Arup’s approach. He is presently working on the inception and delivery of several other major projects that combine transport oriented commercial development, city regeneration and place-making with new infrastructure.

David has more than 20 years’ experience in rail and civil design and , remote construction, mining infrastructure and telecommunications works. He has had extensive involvement in the delivery of multiple stakeholder projects, liaising closely with governments, senior clients, financers and partners throughout the proposal, design and delivery.

Scott Langford Chief Executive Officer, SGCH Group

Scott leads a team of over 200 staff at SGCH who provide a place to call home for more than 11,000 residents in 6,300 homes. Since joining SGCH in 2016, Scott and his team have secured a development pipeline of 1,000 new social and affordable homes in Sydney, underpinned by $405 million of financing commitments. Major transactions have included the Social and Affordable Housing Fund Phase 1 and Phase 2, and the Social Housing Management Transfer program.

Prior to joining SGCH, Scott held senior roles in community housing and the private sector in property development. He has served on numerous industry Boards and advisory groups including as Chair of the International Housing Partnership and PowerHousing Australia. He is currently a member of the NSW Community Housing Industry Council and a Director of CHIA NSW.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 10 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Lakshmi Logathassan Student Graduate Placement

Lakshmi Logathassan is a law and international studies graduate from the Western Sydney University who recently commenced her career in law and public policy. As a Graduate in the 2019 NSW Government Graduate Program, she is currently undertaking her first rotation with the Ministry of Health in industrial relations.

Lakshmi is an emerging young voice who is involved in a range of initiatives that make a positive impact in the community, particularly in the area of access to education. Her efforts as founder and coordinator of The Laptop Project are enabling hundreds of disadvantaged students gain access to a digital education. Lakshmi was recognised as the 2014 NSW Young Woman of the Year and she also received the Western Sydney University Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship.

Andrew Loveridge Customer Executive, Emerging Sectors Business and Private Banking National Australia Bank

Andrew is responsible for identifying emerging business models and growth industries that will lead to new business opportunities for NAB. In this role, he is responsible for developing appropriate strategies that reflects the needs of customers and NAB’s approach to market for these new segments.

Prior to this role he ran a national team responsible for managing relationships across the Government, Education & Community sectors within Specialised Banking and recently added the Bank’s Franchise business to his responsibilities. Andrew spent over 14 years in the Institutional Bank running the Telco, Media and Internet Industry Team.

Dr Andy Marks Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Projects), Western Sydney University

As Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Andy drives Western Sydney University’s collaborations with government, industry and the community. He is a co-founder of the ‘LaunchPad’ startup incubator, Western Sydney’s only startup network with sites in Werrington, Liverpool and Parramatta.

Andy writes regular columns for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph on politics, social issues, and Western Sydney. Recently he was the expert commentator on ABC TV’s Q&A Extra, ‘Big Australia’ livestream which attracted record high viewing figures.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 11 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Stephen McIntyre Chief Executive Officer, Wentworth Community Housing

Stephen has been the CEO of Wentworth Community Housing since October 2015. Prior to that, Stephen had 20 years of leadership experience in senior executive roles in both the NSW and Victorian State Governments involving planning, housing, roads, transport and the Sydney Olympics. He is strongly committed to social justice and to providing opportunities for people to improve their lives.

He has a long-standing interest in the growth and evolution of Western Sydney, with the widening of the Great Western at Kingswood being his first road construction project upon graduation.

Stuart Nisbett Managing Director, Archerfield Partners

Stuart is the founding director of Archerfield Partners, a boutique corporate advisory firm focused primarily on the real estate markets in Australia and the /Pacific. He has more than 35 years’ experience in property development, project finance, funds management, equity/debt raising and real estate corporate advisory.

Before this, Stuart was Managing Director and Head of Property Investment Banking at N M Rothschild & Sons (Australia). At Rothschild, Stuart established and built the property banking and investment banking business into one with a substantial presence in the Australian property industry.

Bill Parasiris Executive Director, Estate & Commercial, Western Sydney University

Bill Parasiris is currently an Executive Director of the Office of Estate and Commercial at Western Sydney University. In this role, Bill is responsible for managing the University’s extensive portfolio of properties and campuses and all commercial operations.

He is currently overseeing the University’s Western Growth program of work, a large-scale transformative initiative in higher education that will deliver the highest quality educational opportunities and world-class research expertise to Australia’s fastest growing region, whilst enhancing the University’s corpus by securitising latent assets.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 12 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Andrew Phong Student Graduate Placement

Andrew is a proud westie having lived his whole life in Sydney’s South West.

As part of his Bachelor’s degree, Andrew established a diverse and comprehensive portfolio of experiences – both domestically and abroad. Actively engaged in extracurricular, Andrew has consulted for St. Vinnies (Western Sydney & Blue Mountains) and Community First Step (Fairfield), and interned for the Export Council of Australia, the Dialogue, and Western Sydney University’s School of Business. In 2017, he was recognised for his leadership and contribution to the community through The Academy’s ‘Collegiate’ Award.

He is currently the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s New Colombo Plan Alumni Ambassador, the Humanitarian Affairs Asia’s UN Peace Ambassador and a sitting member on Deloitte Australia’s Shaping Future Cities SteerCo.

Peter Pickering Vice President, Finance & Resources, Western Sydney University

Peter Pickering was appointed Vice President (Finance and Resources) in January 2015 and leads the largest Division of Western Sydney University; the Division of Finance and Resources.

Prior to joining Western Sydney University, Peter spent 15 years in the telecommunications industry, primarily with Telstra, but also with international joint ventures in Korea and Indonesia working with NTT, Sumitomo, Indosat and Pohang Iron and Steel. When he left Telstra, he was the Executive Director of Strategy Planning and Business Development but had also held the positions of Chief Operating Officer of the Telstra Retail division and Chief Operating Officer of Telstra International. These roles have encompassed responsibilities for business units up to $15 billion turnover and 15,000 staff.

Peter Poulet District Commissioner - Central City, Greater Sydney Commission

As Central City District Commissioner, Peter aims to bring resilient, quality outcomes to the natural and built environments of the District by deploying design methods and thinking to connect, engage and empower communities.

Peter was the 23rd NSW Government Architect from 2012-2018, providing independent, impartial, whole-of-government perspective and advice on the built environment to achieve optimal architectural, urban design and environmental outcomes.

A champion of collaborative links between the public and private sector, Peter has fostered design-led approaches across government, industry and academia, with his projects receiving numerous awards including the Horbury Hunt, the Blackett and an Australian Institute of Architects’ award.

He has over 30 years’ experience in both private and government architectural offices and was the inaugural State Architect of Tasmania 2009-2012.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 13 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Theo Psychogios Partner, Deloitte

Theo has experience providing economic, policy, and commercial advice to public sector organisations and the private sector entities they engage with, particularly in the assessment and review of how government services can be delivered and the assessment, review and development of economic and social infrastructure. Theo’s primary focus is assisting clients assess the merits and value proposition of transformative urban renewal, service delivery reform, and major infrastructure investments.

Billie Sankovic Chief Executive Officer, Western Sydney Community Forum

Billie Sankovic is the Chief Executive Officer of Western Sydney Community Forum, the social development council responsible for leading and shaping social policy and service delivery in Western Sydney.

Billie has extensive leadership experience in community development, service delivery, and social policy and planning. She has spent 30 years working across Western Sydney in local and state government, the not-for-profit sector and at Western Sydney University. Billie successfully delivered the State Government’s first Early Intervention Program in NSW, and led planning for the multi-million dollar community and recreation precinct model in South Western Sydney to service communities in the growth corridor. Billie also represented the Western Sydney not-for-profit sector in the initial compact which culminated into the Working Together for NSW agreement between NGOs and the NSW Government.

Avendra Singh Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Avendra Singh is a partner in the firm’s Projects, Construction and the (‘prompt, commercial’: Legal 500) Disputes Resolution practices which earned a tier 3 ranking in the latest Legal 500 ratings.

Avendra has a multi-jurisdictional, contentious and non-contentious practice that has covered urban renewal, residential and commercial property, public utilities (electricity, water and sewerage), public infrastructure (airports, rail, roads, bridges, jetties and sports stadiums) representing major developers, public and private owners, design consultants, project managers, contractors and subcontractors.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 14 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour delegation - bios

Alexander Wendler Executive Director Placemaking and Real Estate, Transport for NSW

Alex is an established leader in the infrastructure industry, both in the public and private sector. He joined the NSW Government in 2016.

His current responsibilities include the leadership of all real estate development transactions of Transport for NSW, including city-changing precinct redevelopments at Sydney’s Central Station, and Redfern North Eveleigh. In this role Alex challenges TfNSW to think beyond the infrastructure and service requirements and focus on what transport enables, more competitive cities and more liveable communities. Prior to his current role Alex led the NSW Government’s transaction team for the sale of 51% of the equity in toll road network WestConnex. The sale closed in 2018 and is the largest trade sale privatisation in Australia with an enterprise valuation of A$25 billion. He also led the negotiations with Macquarie Group on their unsolicited proposal for an integrated Metro station and two commercial tower over-station development at in the core of Sydney’s CBD, which reached financial close in 2018. The integrated Metro station will open in 2024 as part of the new Sydney Metro City and Southwest.

Before joining Transport for NSW Alex spent 10 years at Macquarie Capital, where he was a Managing Director/Division Director in Sydney and London. Alex holds a Master in economics and business administration, as well as an Executive Master in Public Administration.

Greg Whitby AM Executive Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

Greg Whitby is a teacher, advocate, administrator and leader. His mission to transform schooling for every child and young person is driven by a strong commitment to justice and equity.

As a Catholic Education leader in the Parramatta and Dioceses in NSW, Greg has led significant cultural change with a focus on innovation, collaboration and investment in teachers’ learning. Prior to this, he was a teacher and school leader in government and Catholic schools, and has also lectured in the faculty of business at Western Sydney University.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 15 Western Sydney meets East London North & South of the Thames

Study tour support team

Faith Halliday Special Advisor, Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue

Faith Halliday is an experienced business manager and collaborator. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from UNSW and has lived and worked in Australia, and Asia. Appropriating the same creative process to organisational operations, Faith derives innovative business planning solutions across strategy and client management.

Prior to advising the Dialogue, Faith was Manager Global Business Planning & Development at Australian-based, international architectural firm, Woods Bagot. In this role, Faith was responsible for the development and management of the firm’s global business plans, collaborating with Sector Leaders, Regional Chairs, Thought Leaders and key stakeholders. Prior to this, Faith worked in close partnership with the Group CEO as Manager, Strategy & New Initiatives, based in Hong Kong and acting in a chief of staff capacity.

Faith brings global perspective and strategic thinking to our management team; providing the best possible service we can to our clients and partners.

Brett Towers Director, Marketing & Operations, Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue

Brett brings 15 years of sales, marketing and stakeholder management experience to the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue.

In his most recent role at Business Events Sydney, Brett was dedicated to working with local and international companies to position Sydney as Australia’s premier meetings destination, and a global city home to a rich base of innovators and entrepreneurs.

Brett is able to draw on his extensive knowledge of the tourism and events sector, plus his broad industry and government networks, to provide advice and support to his stakeholders.

He recently delivered the BOOMTOWN! Summit for 400+ delegates, project managing budgets, suppliers, attendees and speakers, and project managed Out There, an ideas- based policy forum supporting Sydney’s West.

Aside from his time at Business Events Sydney, Brett has also served in commercial and marketing roles with Tourism Australia and , and as a policy manager for the Tourism & Transport Forum.

W: westernsydney.org.au | A: PO Box 3201 North Parramatta NSW 1750 Australia September 2019 | Page 16