OCTOBER BULLETIN

Meet the emerging leaders set to shape SA's business landscape

Message from the Chief Executive

October’s bulletin arrives at the peak of the ILF calendar, with the announcement of the 2023 grant winners.

Last night (Monday, 25 September) at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 230 people came together, many among them South Australia’s most distinguished industry leaders, to celebrate 13 outstanding business leaders who were honoured with the presentation of their awards by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia.

The Governor herself is no stranger to leadership, having set continuous examples over her remarkable career. Her support and encouragement for the incoming Scholars and the state’s overall leadership bench-strength was an inspiration for each and everyone in attendance.

In addition to these grants, four special awards, sponsored by the incredible generosity of their major donors, were presented to four exceptional recipients who have gone above and beyond in their respective fields. You can read more about all these incredible leaders and their awards below.

Congratulations to this year’s winners. The application period opens again next year, but it is never too early for a discussion. If you think you, or anyone you know, might benefit from and be eligible for an award, I encourage you to first review our website and get in touch.

This month you will also hear from Adrian Fahey, Managing Director of SAGE Group. Supported by an ILF grant, Adrian attended the Owner President Management Program at Harvard. Both he and SAGE have grown along a highly impressive arc since then. This month’s story is inspiring and highly recommended.

Until next time, good hunting.

Richard Barrett
Chief Executive, Industry Leaders Fund
Level 1, 45 Greenhill Road, Wayville SA 5034
M: 0417 283 633
E: richard.barrett@industryleaders.com.au

Scholar in the Spotlight

Adrian Fahey
Group Managing Director, SAGE Group
Owner President Management (OPM) Program
Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, 2016-2018

The most valuable lessons are sometimes learned in unexpected places. Adrian is the epitome of taking a diverse approach to learning, an approach he instils on everyone at SAGE in the fast-moving industrial digitalisation space.

A thirst for knowledge

"I was blessed to grow up on a farm, instilling a strong work ethic and aptitude for hands-on-on work. Nurturing a deep curiosity for learning from an early age, I sought out opportunities for work experience to learn from others and throw myself in the deep end. This foundation of hard work and a thirst for learning has underpinned my career.

My career commenced as an electrical apprentice in Adelaide, working in a range of remote and harsh industrial environments primarily in telecommunications. Due to the nature of these large-scale environments, where efficiency is paramount, I gained exposure to automation early in my career – which immediately captivated my interest. This fascination resulted in my studying automation and control at night while finishing my apprenticeship.

SAGE: Smart, Ambitious, Genuine, Exceptional

Fast forward to 1998, I joined SAGE Automation, a young, ambitious, fast-growing automation and control business. Our roles were broad in the early days, and I was involved in everything from project delivery, estimation, on-site fault-finding, installation work, and Business Development. Everyone pitched in in this highly collaborative team environment, and we always got the job done. This established a culture at SAGE, that I’m proud to say, remains today. SAGE people are Smart, Ambitious, Genuine, and Exceptional.

I went on to hold several senior positions as the young company grew and expanded beyond automation and control into a complete industrial digitalisation offering under SAGE Group. I was made Chief Executive Officer in 2008, then Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in 2019, and Group Managing Director in 2021. During that time, we also completed nine acquisition transactions and undertook significant diversification.

What started as an automation company serving the automotive industry in Adelaide, SAGE is now a global organisation offering full-service digitalisation solutions for customers within seven industry sectors.

This business transformation would not have been possible without a real commitment to personal and professional development by those working in the business. New industries, new solutions, new markets, and the rapid development of new technologies, means that the old concept of learning your trade and you’re set for life, no longer applies. I believe this to be true in every industry today.

Organisations such as The Executive Connection were a great resource to myself and my colleagues early on and supported our development of leadership skills".

Adrian Fahey with Andrew Downs of SAGE Group

READ ADRIAN'S STORY

Introducing SA’s brightest business minds

An elite list of 13 SA business leaders are the 2023 recipients of ILF study grants, announced at an awards ceremony at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on September 25.

The 2023 Scholars represent a diverse and dynamic group of leaders from a broad spectrum of industries, from food and wine to space and defence. They are set to join programs at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Oxford’s Saïd Business School, and the University of Adelaide, reflecting the ILF’s dedication to nurturing leadership in different sectors.

The 2023 Scholars are: Jeremy Blanks (Tarac Technologies), Nicholas Cook (Kingsway Welding), Emma Daly (Van Schaiks Bio Gro), Craig Herriot (REDARC), Jake Kearsley (Para Bellum Solutions), Baseel Mohamed (Tonkin Consulting), Allan Morichaud (Solutions Plus Partnership), Sally Paech (Beerenberg Farm), Simon Palumbo (Silentium Defence), Duane Rivett (Fivecast), Nicole Russo (Myriota), Luke Sernecki (PRP Manufacturing), and David Wilson (Green Frog Systems).

Several Scholars were also honoured with special awards, supported by individual and corporate benefactors, in addition to their primary grants. These are: Colin J Peters AM Memorial Award (David Wilson), David B McNeil Transformative Leadership Program Award (Nicholas Cook), Seeley International Imagineering Award (Luke Sernecki), and Lumination State Innovator Award (Duane Rivett).

At the awards ceremony, ILF Chief Executive Richard Barrett said the recipients are already well on their way along in their leadership careers: "The ILF provides a boost for the A grade to move to A+, with a focus on leadership with a capital L." He also thanked the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, for presenting the awards and supporting the ILF’s vision.

Among the speakers were Scholars Anthony Kittel of REDARC Group, who said he was “indebted to the ILF” for his inaugural grant in 2010 to attend Harvard Business School, Tania Jolley, co-founder of DNA Security Solutions and Founder of Lashes of Change, who said she was supported to submit the best application possible, and Peter Piliouras, CEO of Star Pharmacy Group, who said he was incredibly proud to be an ILF Scholar and privileged to be on the Scholars Network Committee: “What I had access to and what we all have access to … is an enormous pool of intellectual capital and generosity to help anyone who asks.”

The ILF invites aspiring leaders to apply for the 2024 grants, which will open in February. Find out more about the application and assessment process.

Upcoming events

23 October: Investing in uncertain times
20 November: Mentoring launch
11 December: Scholars Network Christmas party

Business in Brief

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

It's no surprise that ILF Scholars are among the stars of INNOVATE™ Adelaide, an AR-enabled coffee table book that celebrates the city’s most exciting innovations and its entrepreneurial ecosystem. The book / e-book features stories of innovation and thought leadership from high-achieving ILF Scholars and their companies, including:

Ahrens Group (Aaron Bain, ILF 2021)
Codium (Eric van Ryswyk, ILF2021)
Fivecast (Dr Brenton Cooper, ILF2022)
Fleet Space Technologies (Ryan McClenaghan, ILF2022)
Neumann Space (Herve Astier, ILF2019)
Nova Systems (Rebecca McDonald, ILF2011, Dr Sarah Cannard and Cher Min Teo, ILF2014)
Praxis Labs (Katherine Donaldson, ILF2019)
REDARC (Anthony Kittel, ILF2010, Ben Marsh, ILF2013, Scott Begbie, ILF2016, Tom Cross, ILF2020)
SAGE Group (Andrew Downs, ILF2013, Adrian Fahey, ILF2016, Dion Draper, ILF2020)

These companies represent the diverse and dynamic industries and sectors that make Adelaide a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, where world-class products and services are created and manufactured. INNOVATE™ Adelaide showcases an exciting city in transformation and perfectly illustrates the immense creative collective that is to be found in our city.

Discover INNOVATE™ Adelaide.

Premier’s Business and Export Awards 2023

REDARC Electronics has once again emerged as SA's Exporter of the Year at the 2023 Premier’s Business and Export Awards, marking the company's second consecutive win. This esteemed accolade was one of three for ILF Scholar-led companies, with Oliver’s Taranga winning Family Business of the Year and Fleet Space Technologies taking out the Emerging Exporter award. ILF Scholars who were among finalists and winners:

SA Exporter of the Year
REDARC Electronics: Anthony Kittel (ILF2010), Ben Marsh (ILF2013), Tom Cross (ILF 2020), Scott Begbie (ILF2016)

Emerging Exporter
Fleet Space Technologies: Ryan McClenaghan (ILF2022)

Family Business of the Year
Oliver’s Taranga: Corrina Wright (ILF2012)

Finalists

Amplified Intelligence: Karen Nelson-Field (ILF2019)
Ennio International: Mary Mercuri (ILF2019), Ennio Mercuri (ILF2021)
Refuel Creative: Ryan Jones (ILF2022)

The ILF congratulates the above-mentioned Scholars and their companies. These awards highlight the dynamic business landscape of South Australia and the role of the ILF in fostering leadership and innovation.

Defence Industry Awards 2023

Scores of ILF Scholars and their companies were nominated for the 2023 Defence Industry Awards, with PMB Defence (Stephen Faulkner, ILF2018) and John Scott, ILF2013) taking out the Export Business of the Year Award and BAE Systems Australia (Tom Williams, ILF2015, Bradley Spencer, ILF2018, Jeremy Satchell, ILF2022) winning Veteran Support Program of the Year. These awards celebrate the achievements of people and businesses in the defence industry, recognising the contributions of primes, SMEs, academic institutions and associations, as well as individuals including students, scientists, technicians and academics. The following are the categories and finalists that include ILF Scholars and their companies:

Export Business of the Year
PMB Defence: Stephen Faulkner (ILF2018), John Scott (ILF2013)

AIC Champion of the Year
BAE Systems: Tom Williams (ILF2015), Bradley Spencer (ILF2018), Jeremy Satchell (ILF2022)

Consultancy of the Year
De Stefano & Co: Emilio De Stefano (ILF2014)

Innovation Award Finalists

AML3D: Sean Ebert – Board Member (ILF2021)
Neumann Space: Herve Astier (ILF2019)

Skilling Award Finalists

Axiom Precision Manufacturing: Mark Grose (ILF2016)
Lumination: Edward Carlson (ILF2020), Thomas Hastwell (ILF2022)

Teaming Award Finalists

BAE Systems: Tom Williams (ILF2015), Bradley Spencer (ILF2018), Jeremy Satchell (ILF2022)
PMB Defence: Stephen Faulkner (ILF2018), John Scott (ILF2013)

Scholars in the Media

SAGE Group: Andrew Downs (ILF2013), Adrian Fahey (ILF2016), Dion Draper (ILF2020)

An SA made app designed to support vision-impaired public transport commuters will trial across the country following a $500,000 investment from the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre. “See Me” allows users to alert bus drivers of their presence at a stop and, once onboard, the app notifies users of upcoming stops, limiting the stress and guesswork of independent transit. The idea was conceived by Cassie Hames, software programmer at SAGE Automation, based on her experiences as a legally blind passenger.

Codan: Alf Ianniello (ILF2011), Jock Duncan (ILF2011), Peter Charlesworth (ILF2013), Daniel Widera (ILF2022)

Codan has acquired a UK-based command and control solutions business for $22m. Codan will take control of Eagle NewCo Limited – a subsidiary of NEC Software Solution’s UK business – through the deal. Eagle provides critical control room communication and workforce management solutions to more than 100 emergency services and transport customers across the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Neumann Space: Herve Astier (ILF2019)

Surrey Satellite Technology has agreed to test an Australian designed and manufactured in-space propulsion system as part of the CarbSAR In Orbit Demonstration Mission. SSTL and Adelaide’s Neumann Space will begin work this year to integrate the next generation Neumann Drive as an In-orbit Demonstration (IOD) payload on board the SSTL CarbSAR satellite, scheduled for launch in 2024.

A student from Renmark participating in a virtual reality experience in one of Lumination's Learning Lab

BHP: Jane Brunton (ILF2019), Burkhard Seifert (ILF2020)

The acquisition of OZ Minerals has been a boon to BHP, but its profits were slashed by more than half due to lower commodity prices and inflationary pressures. The Melbourne-headquartered company posted a $20.1b profit for the last financial year, down 58 per cent on the prior period, but SA operations proved a jewel in the miner’s crown. Following the $9.6b acquisition of OZ Minerals, BHP says the creation of its “copper province” has resulted in a rise in earnings.

Beach Energy: Carrie Trembath (ILF2017)

Beach Energy expects to see little production growth in 2024 as critical projects experience delays; the latest in a string of underwhelming supply outlooks that has dented the standing of the company with investors and shareholders and triggered executive oustings. The outlook sent shares down nearly five per cent and sets 2024 as a defining year for the company.

Business SA: Andrew Kay (ILF2014)

Business confidence in South Australia has plummeted, Business SA says, with a sharp decline in the outlook among local business owners prompting a comparison with conditions following the Global Financial Crisis. The Business SA William Buck Survey of Business Expectations for the June quarter shows business confidence fell a huge 19.6 points to 77.3, where 100 is a neutral level.

Edible Blooms: Kelly Jamieson (ILF2016)

Kelly Jamieson, Founder and Managing Director of Edible Blooms, has featured in an Advertiser round up of 10 innovative business women in South Australia. A strong advocate for women leading in business, Kelly is a former SA Telstra Business Woman of the Year, a member of the Premier’s Women’s Council and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Winning Women program, co-founder of the Fearless Female movement and facilitator for Behind Closed Doors.

Thomas Foods International: George Korniotakis (ILF2021)

Darren Thomas oversees his expanding global operation from Adelaide, but it’s regional SA that remains the beating heart of his business. Thomas Foods International has meat processing facilities in Murray Bridge and Lobethal, a large beef feedlot in Tintinara which has recently undergone a multimillion-dollar expansion, and Mt Schank Station also in the South East.

Detmold: Mark Coupe (ILF2013), Zoe Detmold (ILF2016), Damien Puyenbroek (ILF2020)

KFC has named SA food packaging solutions company Detpak as its Australian supplier of the year. They won out over other suppliers of packaging, chicken, potatoes, beverages, and other distributors. Detpak has worked with KFC since 1972 and also supplies paper and cardboard packaging to other international food companies including McDonald’s, Hungry Jack’s, Subway, Starbucks and Uber Eats.