Scholar in Focus: Andrew Ramsey (ILF 2019) CEO Mobo Group

Transformative Leadership Program, University of Adelaide, Adelaide and Austin, Texas, USA.

Mobo Group is a disability services provider which exists to enable people with a disability to be the best they can be through engaging in meaningful employment. 

The Mobo Group brand was launched in March 2018 following the merger of Hands On SA Limited and Finding Workable Solutions in September of 2017. 

Since taking on the role of CEO at Hands On SA in November 2015, I have led the organisation through the merger whilst also navigating enormous change and disruption in a highly VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) environment resulting from the implementation of the NDIS and other government policy changes impacting the disability employment space.

With the ever-increasing pace of change and the aspirations I had for Mobo Group to grow and succeed in the future, I felt it was necessary that I explore and attain new skills to better equip me to lead the organisation into the future. 

Not only was embarking on the Transformative Leadership Program (TLP) life changing for the better in every way imaginable, but completing it in November 2019, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was arguably the best stroke of luck that has ever come my way. 

There is no doubt that the learning, skills, and tools I obtained through the TLP along with the supportive international network (which continues today) has been instrumental in equipping me to lead the organisation with confidence through a most uncertain time.

Read full article here>

From the CEO Geoff Vogt:

As you are reading this, the Board selection committee is preparing to decide which of the record 87 applicants are to be interviewed.

Preparations are well under way for the Personal Investing breakfast, to be held on 29 July courtesy of Morgan Stanley, with invitations sent on Friday 2 July. A save the date notice is included in this bulletin for the Cyber Security breakfast on 25 August at Logic Plus.  As a special one-off for this event, we are waiving the rule that ILFSN functions are exclusive for Scholars, with attendees permitted to bring along their IT expert .

There is a save the date reminder for the ILF’s premier event of the year, the Awards Ceremony which will be held at the National Wine Centre on 27 September, from  5.30-8pm. Jim Whalley has agreed to be the MC, the Awards will be presented by the Premier of South Australia, the Hon Steven Marshall, and a Scholar has agreed to talk about the stellar international success which has been achieved since receiving a grant.

Scholars are invited to attend Exercise Executive Stretch; three days in uniform. Sarah Hibbard described last year’s event as a highlight of her career. These invitations are normally reserved for employers who have signed up to support the defence force service of their reservist employees, with Defence Industry Leadership Program students and ILF Scholars being included in an exclusive arrangement.

In this bulletin you will see my report on the 18 June Strategy day. I was delighted with the positive feedback.

There are also a number of short pertinent articles on Cyber Security,  the semi- conductor shortage, and an IMD World survey highlighting management standards as the weakest link for Australia in being internationally competitive; another reason why it is so important that ILF Scholars exceed expectations. I try to keep these articles relevant and topical. If you have any thoughts please feel free to let me know.

Scholars have had an active month in the media and all the action is listed in the bulletin. Four Scholars achieved recognition in InDaily's 40 under 40 awards, and a special thankyou to Jane Brunton who ensured her ILF grant was mentioned.

Read more of the July CEO Report here>

Strategic Planning and Implementation Training event summary:

A record number of Industry Leaders Fund scholars attended the Strategic Planning and Implementation Training event at Lot Fourteen in June, generously supported by William Buck.

Anthony Kittel (ILF 2010), Managing Director of REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd, Donald McGurk, Managing Director and CEO of Codan and Jamie McKeough, Managing Director of William Buck Adelaide were among the SA business leaders to share their expertise and acumen.

Thank you to all our panellists and special guests for your contribution.

Read the full event summary here>

View event pictures here>

Upcoming Event: Personal Investing Breakfast, 29 July, from 7.30am.

Register here>

Upcoming Event: Cyber Security Breakfast, 25 August, 7.15-9am.

Cyber-attacks come in a number of forms and none of them are good. The increasing severity and frequency is alarming. Think Colonial Pipeline in late May and JBS Foods in June where huge ransoms were paid. It is said nearly every business has been attacked already and most don’t realise it.

At this breakfast you will learn about Cyber-crime and how to combat it. You will hear about simple and more complex methods and learn that insurance cover may not be the answer you might have expected. As the subject technical in nature, we have decided that Scholars may be accompanied by their in-house IT expert as well, as a special one off.

Speakers include:

Kym Welsby (ILF2015).  Regional Director APAC- HelpSystems. HelpSystems enables organisations to detect, inspect and secure critical data through their proprietary industry leading Data Protection solutions across email, web and the cloud. Kym built world leading software in his own company which was ultimately acquired by UK-based, worldwide Clearswift, which was in turn acquired by USA-based HelpSystems in December 2019.  

Marcello Orlando, Cyber Security Specialist- Logic Plus. Logic Plus is a national ICT company with decades of IT managed services systems experience, specialising in Cyber Security and IT Risk Management. LogicPlus sets the ‘Plan, Build and Manage’ benchmark for quality IT Managed Services Infrastructure, coupled with excellent customer service across a diverse range of valued clients.

Location:  LogicPlus, Level 3, 70 Light Square, Adelaide

Major Sponsor: LogicPlus, Supporting Sponsor: Clearswift.

Save the date, invitations coming soon.

SAVE THE DATE: 27 September 2021

Defence Reserves Support : Executive Exercise Stretch

If you have wondered what it is like to be dressed in military uniform and live and eat like our Armed Forces, here is your chance.

Held at Edinburgh defence base from 7 to 9 September,  it is an experience not to be missed.

Just ask Sarah Hibbard (ILF 2019) who wrote in February's bulletin: 

“I was disappointed to see that no other ILF Scholars took up the opportunity to attend EES last year. It was hands down a big highlight of my professional career and an unforgettable experience. If you do get the opportunity to attend EES in the future, I highly recommend that you apply. Yes, you will be stretched, challenged and pushed outside of your comfort zone — and I guarantee that you’ll have an invaluable learning experience that you won’t regret.”

Read Sarah’s full summary here> 

More EES  information and contact details here>

IMD World Competitiveness Survey:

Management practices are assessed as the greatest weakness holding Australia back in the world competitiveness rankings, in the latest worldwide survey conducted by IMD. There are 57 counties that are assessed as having better management practices than Australia. Other areas of weakness are International Trade where Australia ranks 44th and Attitudes and Values where Australia ranks 40th.   Australia is strongest in the Health and Environment (Australia 12th), Business Legislation (Australia 13th) and International Investment (Australia 14th) categories.

The survey is completed by business leaders from all participating countries and is based on a grading of strong or weak in each category. The survey has numerous other pieces of information.

Read the full report here>

CYBER News:

Cyber attacks continue to ramp up. Latest developments include:

• The most recent attack on JBS Foods resulted in a the payment of an USD11 million ransom. JBS Foods pays $14m to ransomware attackers - Security - iTnews
• Ratings Agencies have issued strong warnings to insurers and reinsurers about the increasing frequency of Cyber claims and rapidly rising cost per claim. Willis Re have tipped that availability of such cover will likely decline at the very moment it is needed more and more.  Slipcase – (re)insurance industry news
• The good guys had a win in the Colonial Pipeline cyber attack, with the FBI recovering most of the bitcoin ransom paid.   FBI Recovers Most of Bitcoin Ransom Paid by Colonial Pipeline (insurancejournal.com)

Scholars in the Media:

Four ILF grant recipients feature in InDaily's 40 under 40 Awards: