Meet the inaugural members of the Business News – Business Panel.
Meet the inaugural members of the Business News – Business Panel. Charged with identifying WA’s top innovators, these 10 leaders from the business community have produced a wide selection which should challenge all of us to think about who is generating new ideas and how they are being developed. See Editorial page 6.
Tim Moore
Chief executive officer, HP JDV
Just as going global from Australia is difficult, so too is becoming a national player from WA. With Tim Moore at the helm, HP JDV, the stockbroking and technology company which trades as Hartley Poynton, has done just that in the bruising world of financial services.
Jim Gill/Water Authority
Bringing innovation to the public sector
Joe Boros/Bunnings
Superb profit, excellent strategy
Peter Fogarty/ERG
Smart card / transit technology
Phil Sexton
Best user of brand creation for profit: Little Creatures, etc.
Stan Perron
Chose a boring area and has done it very very well for a long time.
Chris Renwick
Chief executive, Rio Tinto Iron Ore and executive chairman of Hamersley Iron
Holding one of the most important jobs in WA, Mr Renwick oversees the operations of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, which includes the huge Pilbara mining and export operations under the Hamersley banner.
Shell
In 2000, Shell won the Innovation category of Hamersley Iron’s Supplier Recognition Program. Shell’s innovative initiatives included both engineering solutions and steamlining of business processes. Together these provided in excess of $1 million of innovative solutions to Hamersley Iron.
Austal Ships
Austal Ships make high performance aluminium vessels and speed ferries.
Their achievements in design and exports have won them many State and National awards for manufacturing and exports.
Michael Smith
Executive chairman, The Marketing Centre
Michael Smith is one of WA’s most respected marketing consultants. When he is not advising retail giants around the country, Mr Smith has taken an active role in the development of a big WA sporting success, the West Coast Eagles.
ERG
Innovation through its technology (smart cards and transit systems)
Peters and Brownes Group
Product development, particularly the Cadbury Icecream brand.
Cedar Woods
Canal lot developments for new living.
SKG
New technologies and processes in radiology
CSBP
For it’s Skyplan satellite-based fertiliser planning.
Ian Murchison
Managing director, Foundation Capital
Few people in Perth would be as well placed to list WA’s top innovators as Ian Murchison. Running venture capitalist Foundation Capital, Mr Murchison reviews many of the State’s start-up opportunities when they come seeking capital.
Mt Romance Australia Pty Ltd
Albany based processor of sandalwood oil and other essential oils, manufacturer of cosmetics and major tourist attraction in that region.
Allight Pty Ltd
Rapidly growing manufacturer and hirer of lighting towers, dewatering pumps and generators
Nilos Australia
Joint venture with German group to recondition conveyor belts for the mining industry. WA uses 480 km of conveyor belts typically 5-10 metres wide.
Worldwide Online Printing Aust/NZ Pty Ltd
New business model for a rapidly growing franchised, nationwide printing network.
CyberResearch
WA leading e-commerce and technology consultants advising on investments. Assisting venture capitalists, investment banks, corporates and start-ups with their technology investment decisions essentially – reduce risks and identify and qualify market opportunities.
Mark Barnaba
Chief executive officer, Poynton and Partners
A Harvard graduate, Mark Barnaba heads Poynton and Partners, an investment banking operation which was formed around four years ago. The business was sold by its founders last year with a price tag which would place it among WA’s top 50 listed companies.
Michael Chaney/ Wesfarmers
Few companies anywhere in the world have increased value more than 200 times in the space of 15 years, which is what Wesfarmers has done since its 1984 compliance listing. This is especially impressive in light of the fact that Wesfarmers is a conglomerate and participates in industries that are generally not regarded as exciting or rapidly growing (e.g. technology). They have been particularly innovative in applying world class functional skills (e.g. strategic insight, financial discipline, strong governance) to acquisitions in industries they previously had no material exposure to.
John Akehurst/Woodside
Prior to Akehurst’s arrival at Woodside in early 1994, Woodside was a single project, single business unit, single geography oil and gas company, with limited growth prospects. It is now a more diversified, multi-geography energy company with exciting growth prospects and one of the lowest finding costs in the industry. This is no mean feat. The manner in which the senior management team has dealt with the Shell takeover has also been impressive and innovative. Much of what has unraveled over the last 6-9 months I believe has taken the market a little by surprise.
ERG
Few companies have been able to achieve what Peter Fogarty and his team has managed to do at ERG. This is especially true of the manner in which they have commercialised a world class technology from a somewhat isolated business base while managing to win major contracts globally.
Anaconda Nickel
Anaconda has surprised many skeptics. Andrew Forrest has built, in a very short period of time, a world class team, a world class investor profile, and a set of strong and valuable relationships.
And this has all been done in a relatively short period of time. There are few better examples of how a world class reserve has been turned into a strong performing company.
Ian Constable /Q-Vis
Ian Constable is a rare example of an individual who has managed to simultaneously undertake an impressive academic career, build a world class not-for-profit institution (which has a track record of product and technique innovations), a start up and now grow a high tech biotechnology company. Q-Vis has had to be particularly innovative since it operates in an industry that has particularly high barriers to entry, in the sense of being highly litigious and oligopolistic.
Professor Ian Constable
Director, Lion’s Eye Institute
Professor Ian Constable is an inter-nationally renowned ophthalmic surgeon with a distinguished record of eye research and development in many areas, largely through his Perth-based Lion’s Eye Institute and recently listed Q-Vis.
Q-Vis/John Roper
One of last year’s top three technology floats.
Sirtex Medical/ Bruce Gray
Another very successful medical technology float last year.
Peter Fogarty /ERG
Has fostered a local technical base right through to a substantial commercial enterprise with a global influence.
Austal Ships
A highly successful niche position in shipbuilding achieved by outstanding technical innovation.
Tony Howarth
Chief executive officer, Challenge Bank
Playing a major role in the WA banking scene for the past decade, Tony Howarth has not only been privy to much the State’s investment activity, he has also overseen the successful merger of Challenge Bank with Westpac. Among his many hats, Mr Howarth is also chairman of AlintaGas.
Institute for Child Health
Fiona Stanley has achieved outstanding results from her research in areas such as SIDS and other early childhood issues.
Orbital
World class technology now achieving greater market acceptance and penetration, particularly in Europe.
Austal Ships
World leader in high speed/light weight/high tech ferries. High tech solution to a traditional application.
ERG
Achieving success in world markets, has innovative technology .
Poynton and Partners
Creating significant value over the last few years in both their own business and other businesses through identifying, investing in, assisting and promoting emerging technology and innovation.
Patria Jafferies
Director, Dome Coffees Australia
Dome cafes are part of the landscape in Perth. Co-founder Patria Jafferies has played a key role in building this retail and wholesale coffee business into a well known brand name, taking on multi-nationals in overseas markets.
Clarie Metcalf/C Design
Started as a dancer moved to become a model then started her own design business and now sells bathers all over the world. Including key accounts in England and North America. She is only 30 years old.
David Stratton/Dusk
Vertical integrated business of candlemaking to store shop window now has 3 outlets with more to come. On display at Garden City. He has captured an opportunity in the market that is brilliant. This is not cottage industry.
Howard Cearns /Braincells/ Little Creatures Brewery.
One of WA’s most lateral thinkers. His operation of Braincells is a marketing organisation that looks at all levels marketing, market research and branding. Little Creatures is to fill the void where the original Matilda Bay left off in 1990.
Alan Linney/Linney’s
Value chain business that works from the pearl farm to the customer including design, style, export.
Professor Fiona Stanley/ Institute of Child Health Research
Achieving the dream of the institute and integrating research at a national level to further positive progress in medicine in this country.
Catherine Ferrari
Chief Executive Officer, WA Symphony Orchestra
A successful administrator from the accounting world, Catherine Ferrari has been charged with the job of running one of Perth’s premier arts bodies, the WA Syphony Orchestra.
Peter Lalor/Sons of Gwalia
For the development of their tantalum project.
Gary Roberts
Managing director, Mix 94.5FM and PMFM
Gary Roberts has emerged as one of the most successful media operators in Perth, constantly achieving top ratings for stations in the competitive environment of radio broadcasting.
Gold and Resource Developments Ltd
While many pretend, most are just recycling old ideas with a new twist. However, I believe this WA company is forging ahead with one particularly innovative concept (using waste for materials and energy).
Tim Moore
Chief executive officer, HP JDV
Just as going global from Australia is difficult, so too is becoming a national player from WA. With Tim Moore at the helm, HP JDV, the stockbroking and technology company which trades as Hartley Poynton, has done just that in the bruising world of financial services.
Jim Gill/Water Authority
Bringing innovation to the public sector
Joe Boros/Bunnings
Superb profit, excellent strategy
Peter Fogarty/ERG
Smart card / transit technology
Phil Sexton
Best user of brand creation for profit: Little Creatures, etc.
Stan Perron
Chose a boring area and has done it very very well for a long time.
Chris Renwick
Chief executive, Rio Tinto Iron Ore and executive chairman of Hamersley Iron
Holding one of the most important jobs in WA, Mr Renwick oversees the operations of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, which includes the huge Pilbara mining and export operations under the Hamersley banner.
Shell
In 2000, Shell won the Innovation category of Hamersley Iron’s Supplier Recognition Program. Shell’s innovative initiatives included both engineering solutions and steamlining of business processes. Together these provided in excess of $1 million of innovative solutions to Hamersley Iron.
Austal Ships
Austal Ships make high performance aluminium vessels and speed ferries.
Their achievements in design and exports have won them many State and National awards for manufacturing and exports.
Michael Smith
Executive chairman, The Marketing Centre
Michael Smith is one of WA’s most respected marketing consultants. When he is not advising retail giants around the country, Mr Smith has taken an active role in the development of a big WA sporting success, the West Coast Eagles.
ERG
Innovation through its technology (smart cards and transit systems)
Peters and Brownes Group
Product development, particularly the Cadbury Icecream brand.
Cedar Woods
Canal lot developments for new living.
SKG
New technologies and processes in radiology
CSBP
For it’s Skyplan satellite-based fertiliser planning.
Ian Murchison
Managing director, Foundation Capital
Few people in Perth would be as well placed to list WA’s top innovators as Ian Murchison. Running venture capitalist Foundation Capital, Mr Murchison reviews many of the State’s start-up opportunities when they come seeking capital.
Mt Romance Australia Pty Ltd
Albany based processor of sandalwood oil and other essential oils, manufacturer of cosmetics and major tourist attraction in that region.
Allight Pty Ltd
Rapidly growing manufacturer and hirer of lighting towers, dewatering pumps and generators
Nilos Australia
Joint venture with German group to recondition conveyor belts for the mining industry. WA uses 480 km of conveyor belts typically 5-10 metres wide.
Worldwide Online Printing Aust/NZ Pty Ltd
New business model for a rapidly growing franchised, nationwide printing network.
CyberResearch
WA leading e-commerce and technology consultants advising on investments. Assisting venture capitalists, investment banks, corporates and start-ups with their technology investment decisions essentially – reduce risks and identify and qualify market opportunities.
Mark Barnaba
Chief executive officer, Poynton and Partners
A Harvard graduate, Mark Barnaba heads Poynton and Partners, an investment banking operation which was formed around four years ago. The business was sold by its founders last year with a price tag which would place it among WA’s top 50 listed companies.
Michael Chaney/ Wesfarmers
Few companies anywhere in the world have increased value more than 200 times in the space of 15 years, which is what Wesfarmers has done since its 1984 compliance listing. This is especially impressive in light of the fact that Wesfarmers is a conglomerate and participates in industries that are generally not regarded as exciting or rapidly growing (e.g. technology). They have been particularly innovative in applying world class functional skills (e.g. strategic insight, financial discipline, strong governance) to acquisitions in industries they previously had no material exposure to.
John Akehurst/Woodside
Prior to Akehurst’s arrival at Woodside in early 1994, Woodside was a single project, single business unit, single geography oil and gas company, with limited growth prospects. It is now a more diversified, multi-geography energy company with exciting growth prospects and one of the lowest finding costs in the industry. This is no mean feat. The manner in which the senior management team has dealt with the Shell takeover has also been impressive and innovative. Much of what has unraveled over the last 6-9 months I believe has taken the market a little by surprise.
ERG
Few companies have been able to achieve what Peter Fogarty and his team has managed to do at ERG. This is especially true of the manner in which they have commercialised a world class technology from a somewhat isolated business base while managing to win major contracts globally.
Anaconda Nickel
Anaconda has surprised many skeptics. Andrew Forrest has built, in a very short period of time, a world class team, a world class investor profile, and a set of strong and valuable relationships.
And this has all been done in a relatively short period of time. There are few better examples of how a world class reserve has been turned into a strong performing company.
Ian Constable /Q-Vis
Ian Constable is a rare example of an individual who has managed to simultaneously undertake an impressive academic career, build a world class not-for-profit institution (which has a track record of product and technique innovations), a start up and now grow a high tech biotechnology company. Q-Vis has had to be particularly innovative since it operates in an industry that has particularly high barriers to entry, in the sense of being highly litigious and oligopolistic.
Professor Ian Constable
Director, Lion’s Eye Institute
Professor Ian Constable is an inter-nationally renowned ophthalmic surgeon with a distinguished record of eye research and development in many areas, largely through his Perth-based Lion’s Eye Institute and recently listed Q-Vis.
Q-Vis/John Roper
One of last year’s top three technology floats.
Sirtex Medical/ Bruce Gray
Another very successful medical technology float last year.
Peter Fogarty /ERG
Has fostered a local technical base right through to a substantial commercial enterprise with a global influence.
Austal Ships
A highly successful niche position in shipbuilding achieved by outstanding technical innovation.
Tony Howarth
Chief executive officer, Challenge Bank
Playing a major role in the WA banking scene for the past decade, Tony Howarth has not only been privy to much the State’s investment activity, he has also overseen the successful merger of Challenge Bank with Westpac. Among his many hats, Mr Howarth is also chairman of AlintaGas.
Institute for Child Health
Fiona Stanley has achieved outstanding results from her research in areas such as SIDS and other early childhood issues.
Orbital
World class technology now achieving greater market acceptance and penetration, particularly in Europe.
Austal Ships
World leader in high speed/light weight/high tech ferries. High tech solution to a traditional application.
ERG
Achieving success in world markets, has innovative technology .
Poynton and Partners
Creating significant value over the last few years in both their own business and other businesses through identifying, investing in, assisting and promoting emerging technology and innovation.
Patria Jafferies
Director, Dome Coffees Australia
Dome cafes are part of the landscape in Perth. Co-founder Patria Jafferies has played a key role in building this retail and wholesale coffee business into a well known brand name, taking on multi-nationals in overseas markets.
Clarie Metcalf/C Design
Started as a dancer moved to become a model then started her own design business and now sells bathers all over the world. Including key accounts in England and North America. She is only 30 years old.
David Stratton/Dusk
Vertical integrated business of candlemaking to store shop window now has 3 outlets with more to come. On display at Garden City. He has captured an opportunity in the market that is brilliant. This is not cottage industry.
Howard Cearns /Braincells/ Little Creatures Brewery.
One of WA’s most lateral thinkers. His operation of Braincells is a marketing organisation that looks at all levels marketing, market research and branding. Little Creatures is to fill the void where the original Matilda Bay left off in 1990.
Alan Linney/Linney’s
Value chain business that works from the pearl farm to the customer including design, style, export.
Professor Fiona Stanley/ Institute of Child Health Research
Achieving the dream of the institute and integrating research at a national level to further positive progress in medicine in this country.
Catherine Ferrari
Chief Executive Officer, WA Symphony Orchestra
A successful administrator from the accounting world, Catherine Ferrari has been charged with the job of running one of Perth’s premier arts bodies, the WA Syphony Orchestra.
Peter Lalor/Sons of Gwalia
For the development of their tantalum project.
Gary Roberts
Managing director, Mix 94.5FM and PMFM
Gary Roberts has emerged as one of the most successful media operators in Perth, constantly achieving top ratings for stations in the competitive environment of radio broadcasting.
Gold and Resource Developments Ltd
While many pretend, most are just recycling old ideas with a new twist. However, I believe this WA company is forging ahead with one particularly innovative concept (using waste for materials and energy).