THE HON. JUSTICE ANNABELLE BENNETT, AO
The Honourable Justice Annabelle Bennett, AO, BSc (Hons), PhD, LLB, is a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, having previously practised as a Senior Counsel specialising in intellectual property. She is also Pro-Chancellor of the Australian National University; Trustee of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust; Presidential Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; Arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport; member of the Law Academic Advisory Committee of The Chinese University of Hong Kong; member [and past President] of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences; and Head of Delegation for the APEC Women Leaders’ Network Meeting in Peru in 2008.
Justice Bennett completed her BSc (Hons) and PhD in Biochemistry (the latter in the Faculty of Vet Science) at Sydney University and later obtained her law degree at the University of New South Wales. Her interest in biological sciences has led to membership of the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee, the Biotechnology Task Force, the Pharmacy Board of New South Wales and the Eastern Sydney Area Health Service. She was a member of the Gene Patenting Advisory Committee of the Australian Law Reform Commission, a Director of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and is a member [and past President] of Chief Executive Women.
DEETA COLVIN
In 2007, Deeta Colvin joined Consolidated Press Holdings in a Marketing and Special Events role working with the teams on Crown and Ellerston Capital as well as corporate work in the marketing area for CPH – brands and client relationships.
Immediately prior to this Colvin was Director of Corporate Relations and Events for PBL Media. During the two years she held this position Colvin was responsible for several high profile events including the TV Week Logie Awards, Cleo Bachelor of the Year and ACP Melbourne Cup marquee. She joined PBL Media after selling her successful marketing and public relations company, Colvin Communications, which she ran for 16 years, attracting an impressive client list that included international luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Veuve Clicquot. Prior to establishing Colvin Communications, Deeta was Secretary of the Wine and Brandy Association for 10 years. She sits on committees for the Art Gallery of NSW and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and is well known for her commitment to charitable organisations. She was a founding member of both the Sydney Cancer Centre for Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Breast Cancer Centre’s Pink Ribbon Breakfast committee. She was previously a member of the committee for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of New England and also has a post-graduate degree in Industrial Relations. She was honoured by the French Government when she was presented with an Ordre de Merit in Paris in 2001, for fostering business relations between France and Australia.
COLETTE GARNSEY
As David Jones Group General Manager, Apparel, Cosmetics, Accessories & Footwear, Colette Garnsey has been credited with steering Australia’s oldest department store into the future, repositioning David Jones as Australia’s most stylish shopping destination.
At David Jones Ms Garnsey holds a pivotal role within David Jones’ senior management team and has been a member of the Management Committee since 1998.
Whilst studying a Bachelor of Business, Ms Garnsey began her career with a retail cadetship and has held various roles across all areas of retail. In the twenty years she has been in the industry, Ms Garnsey’s experience has led her to be one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry and greatly respected amongst her peers.
Throughout her career, Ms Garnsey has been instrumental in the launch of many young up and coming Australian designers such as Sass & Bide, Kirrily Johnston, Fleur Wood, Willow, Thurley and Ginger and Smart along with many more.
In addition, Ms Garnsey has been instrumental in planning the refurbishment of the David Jones stores, among them Bourke Street Melbourne, Queen Street Brisbane, Sydney City and Bondi Junction. Through these refurbishments she has introduced to Australia major international brands such as Prada, Dior, Jo Malone, Kiehls, Christian Louboutin, Tods and Burberry.
Ms Garnsey recently completed the prestigious Stanford Executive Program, Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.
Ms Garnsey’s commitment to Australian fashion is further illustrated through her positioning on many of the country’s top fashion boards. This includes being a board member of L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival, a member of the RAFW Advisory Board, a member of the Chief Executive Women’s Board and the Fragrance Foundation of Australia.
JANET HOLMES À COURT, AC
Mrs Holmes à Court is Chairman of the John Holland Group, one of Australia’s leading construction and engineering companies; the West Australian Symphony Orchestra; the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and the Urban Design Centre of WA. She is a Board Director of Vision 2020 Australia, a Governor of Sony Foundation Australia and Board Member of the Rio Tinto WA Future Fund. She is a science graduate from the University of Western Australia and taught science for a number of years before working more closely with family business matters. She has won numerous awards recognising her contribution to the community and to business and is a previous winner of The Veuve Clicquot Award.
DAVID MURRAY, AO
David Murray, AO has 39 years experience in banking. He retired from the Commonwealth Bank in 2005 having served 13 years as Chief Executive. He joined the Commonwealth Bank in 1966.
In November 2005 the Australian Government announced that Mr Murray would be Chairman of the Future Fund. The Fund’s objective is to invest budget surpluses to meet the long term pension liabilities of government employees.
Mr Murray holds a Bachelor of Business from the NSW Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration, commenced at Macquarie University and completed at the International Management Institute, Geneva. He holds an honorary PhD from Macquarie University and is a Fellow of the University of Technology.
As part of his interest in education Mr Murray chairs the Business Industry Higher Education Collaboration Council, is a benefactor of Schools and a member of Tara Anglican School for Girls Foundation in Sydney and a life member of the Financial Markets Foundation for Children. He is Chairman of the Global Foundation and is a non-executive director on the Board of Tenix Pty Ltd.
MARILYNNE PASPALEY, AM
Marilynne Paspaley, AM is a Director of the Paspaley Group of Companies. Paspaley’s diverse portfolio includes rural properties, wine production, real estate and aviation, but its principal interest is the production of Australian South Sea Pearls, which it has pioneered since 1952. The Company is internationally acknowledged as the producer of the finest South Sea pearls in the world.
Marilynne was instrumental in developing and expanding Paspaley’s retail network, including the establishment of Paspaley’s in-house jewellery workshop, the development of the Paspaley jewellery collections and the publishing of the “Paspaley Magazine”.
Marilynne is now focusing on tourism and hospitality interests in WA. In addition to her boutique retreats McAlpine House and Captain Kennedy House in Broome, and The Kimberley Grande, a 73 room hotel and conference centre in Kununurra, she is about to commence the development of the 70-room Pinctada Broome Resort & Spa. In addition, she is creating a hotel management company, MP Personal Hotels & Resorts, to manage the properties in the portfolio. Marilynne is on the Board of Management of the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park, and Honoree of the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World.
JAMES PATON
New to Australia’s shores, James Paton has recently taken on the role of Managing Director, Moët Hennessy Australia and New Zealand in January 2009. The Moët Hennessy Australia portfolio of luxury brands includes Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Krug and Ruinart champagnes; Australia’s leading premium sparkling wines, Chandon and Pelorus; the still wines of Cloudy Bay, Cape Mentelle, Domaine Chandon, Terrazas de los Andes (Mendoza), Newton (Napa) and Numanthia estate; in addition to Hennessy cognacs, Belvedere vodkas, Ten Cane rum, and Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt scotch whiskies. The company also represents a number of super-premium Australian wines, including Mr. Riggs, Mitolo and Mountadam.
Born in the England and educated at the University of Cape Town, James joined the wines & spirits industry in 1992, and has spent the past 18 years working in Asia, most recently as Managing Director of Moët Hennessy Korea. Prior to joining Moët Hennessy, James held various management positions with Jardine Matheson, in Japan, Greater China and Southeast Asia. James joins Moët Hennessy Australia and New Zealand with a wealth of experience and looks forward to making Australia home with his family for the years ahead.
ALISON WATKINS
Alison Watkins is Chief Executive Officer of investment and funds management company Bennelong Group and a non-executive director of Woolworths Limited and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited.
Alison’s experience includes running businesses; providing financial and strategic advice; and public and private company board roles. Her industry focus spans financial services, food and retail. She was Chief Executive Officer of Berri Limited, the market leader in Australian juice, and Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ. She spent 10 years at McKinsey & Company from 1989-1999 and became a partner of the Firm in 1996 before moving to ANZ as Group General Manager Strategy, reporting to the CEO. Alison started her career with Chartered Accountants, Touche Ross.
Alison has been a director of listed retailer Just Group Limited, and chairman of Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen, which is controlled by a leading private equity fund.
She has been involved in a range of community boards, including the World Swimming Championships 2007 and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a member of the Australian Advisory Board of The Nature Conservancy and a Victorian Councillor of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Alison holds a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Tasmania), is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. Alison and her husband live in Melbourne with their four children.