AUGUST BULLETIN

At 28, Kelly Jamieson had a sweet idea to create bouquets of chocolates and fruit instead of flowers. Now, 18 years later, Edible Blooms is a blooming success.

CEO's Message

Welcome to the August Bulletin, with one of our busiest months of the year in full swing. Interviews for the 2023 Scholar applications have now been completed, and some brilliant upcoming leaders will join the ranks in 2023/24. Also, Geoff’s final day was last Monday and while we wish him farewell from the “Bridge”, he has now taken up a coveted position in the ranks of ILF Ambassadors.

2023 Awards Ceremony + ILF Brochure

As we count down to the 2023 Awards Ceremony, if you haven’t already saved the date in your calendars, please do so: Monday, September 25, from 5.30pm. On a side note, we are currently preparing our 2023/24 brochure and invite Scholars to come forward with any noteworthy achievements and milestones worth mentioning. If you have news you'd like us to consider including, please email me.

My continuing thanks to the many of you I’ve met so far, for your support, encouragement and advice. It is much appreciated. If you haven’t already been in touch and wish to do so, please don’t hesitate – I’d love to hear from you.

Richard Barrett
CEO, 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

Kelly Jamieson
Founder and Managing Director, Edible Blooms
High Performance Leadership Program
Said Business School, University of Oxford (UK), 2016

At 28, Kelly Jamieson had a sweet idea – bouquets of chocolates and fruit instead of flowers. Now, 18 years later, Edible Blooms is a blooming success, employing 55+ staff nationwide. We caught up with Kelly for a quick chat. Here's what she shared.

What's your educational and career background?
I have a background in marketing and business development. After finishing school, I was sponsored to study at university by my employer so I have combined study/work since I was 17. Initially, I completed my Bachelor of Business with a double major in marketing and international marketing before continuing to complete my Graduate Diploma in Business Management. I studied and worked pretty much non-stop for my first 10 years after finishing school, so I guess you can say I enjoy learning!

How did your education and experience lead you to Edible Blooms?
When I enrolled to complete my MBA at the University of Adelaide, I began thinking about starting my own business. Researching business success case studies and also working in professional services at that time got me interested in business and creating value. The idea of Edible Blooms kicked in during my first year studying my MBA which meant I exited the MBA earlier than anticipated, as soon as I finished the Graduate Diploma of the program. I found the learning curve of starting my own business rewarding enough to focus 100 per cent on business for the next few years.

How has your ILF-supported course helped your business operations/growth? The ILF program enabled me to study again after taking a break. I applied in 2016 to become an ILF Scholar and selected Oxford University's High Performance Leadership Program – a one week, on-campus intensive program in the UK. The learning experience of studying at Oxford was an incredible opportunity I wouldn’t have had without the support of the ILF.

Interestingly, it’s the alumni network that you get to join from being a Scholar that I have found most beneficial since 2016. The ILF alumni created a great ongoing business partnership between Edible Blooms and Detmold where we worked with their innovations team to move to recyclable product construction across our range. This has been a great partnership for our business and supported our company’s ESG strategy.

READ KELLY'S STORY

Upcoming events

ILF Grant Awards Ceremony

Join us for our annual grants ceremony on Monday, 25 September, at the Entertainment Centre from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

Stay tuned for more details in next month's bulletin.

Save the Dates

23 October: Investing in uncertain times
20 November, 5.30pm: Mentoring launch
11 December, 6pm to 8pm: ILFSN Christmas party

Business in Brief

2023 South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards

Congratulations to the Scholars and their companies who are among finalists in this year's South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards. Of the 250-plus businesses that entered across 24 categories, an impressive seven Scholar-led companies have made the final cut.

Business Awards Finalists
Amplified Intelligence: Karen Nelson-Field (ILF2019)
Ennio International: Mary Mercuri (ILF2019) and Ennio Mercuri (ILF2021)
Fleet Space Technologies: Ryan McClenaghan (ILF2022)
Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards: Corrina Wright (ILF2012)

Export Awards Finalists
Fleet Space Technologies: Ryan McClenaghan (ILF2022)
Redarc Electronics: Anthony Kittel (ILF2010), Ben Marsh (ILF2013), Tom Cross (ILF2020) and Scott Begbie (ILF2016)
Refuel Creative: Ryan Jones (ILF2022)

Finalists are automatically considered for two major awards: South Australian Business of the Year and South Australian Exporter of the Year, which will be announced at the Adelaide Convention Centre awards night on 22 September.

Scholars in the Media

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

Fleet Space Technologies: Ryan McClenaghan (ILF2022), KOJO: Dale Roberts (2013)

Scholar-led companies Fleet Space Technologies and KOJO are among five finalists in this year’s Impact Awards. The annual awards program identifies SA companies with the greatest potential to impact world markets based on several metrics including their past three years of revenue and employment growth, and export revenue. This year’s finalists also include aluminium extrusion supplier Bespoke Manufacturing Group, tech firm Blue Crystal Solutions and stadium and hospitality point-of-sale software provider MyVenue. Winners will be announced on August 24.

Praxis Labs: Katie Donaldson (ILF2019)

When the lunar rover touches down on the moon’s surface, it could be powered by structural solar technology invented by local company Praxis Labs. The Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) consortium is developing a prototype semi-autonomous moon rover to support NASA’s space exploration program.

Star Pharmacy Group: Peter Piliouras (ILF 2014)

Star Pharmacy Group has appointed two new members to its information technology team. Brendon Hore has been appointed Chief Technology Officer, joining the company from his similar role at Peregrine Corporation, while Adam Hardin has been appointed IT Engineering Services Manager.

d’Arenberg: Jack Walton (ILF 2022)

Three South Australian wineries have been named among the best in the world according to the 2023 World’s Best Vineyards Top 50 list. In 17th place on the list, d’Arenberg in McLaren Vale was crowned Australia’s best vineyard.

Consilium Technology: Seth Thuraisingham (ILF2018), Sarah Hibbard (ILF2019)

SA tech firms Consilium Technology and elmTEK have revealed a new brand to formalise last year’s merger, with the combined team looking to tap into Australia’s burgeoning defence industry. Aurizn is the new name of the merged company, which has brought together expertise across software engineering, artificial intelligence, simulation, digital sensors and other emerging technologies.

G’Day Group: Grant Wilckens (ILF2014), Amanda Baldwin (ILF2019), Michaela Webster (ILF2021)

G’Day Group has acquired the Western Kangaroo Island Caravan Park. Located at the entry of the Flinders Chase National Park, the 17-hectare caravan park featuring 71 tourist sites, 13 cabins and a 48-person bunkhouse will be renamed Discovery Parks Kangaroo Island. G’day Group Chief Investment Officer Amanda Baldwin says the acquisition is a strategic addition to the company’s national footprint.

Oliver’s Taranga: Corrina Wright (ILF2012)

Family-owned wine producers Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards and Mike Press Wines have teamed up to acquire Gemtree Wines (pictured) in McLaren Vale. A new contract wine processing business, known as Oliver & Press Winemakers, has been established to operate the facility, where Gemtree previously offered contract winemaking services to customers including the two new owners.

Fivecast: Dr Brenton Cooper (ILF2022), Consilium: Seth Thuraisingham (ILF2018), Sarah Hibbard (ILF2019)

Fivecast’s ability to filter the flood of online data and turn it into credible threat assessments for its customers has supercharged the company’s growth in recent years. Consilium also has a few strings to its bow, including the ability to create “digital twins” of real-world and hypothetical situations, within which scenarios can be played out.

Smith Motor Group: Linh Bui (ILF2016)

Smith Motor Group has marked its centennial year with the introduction of a new leadership team that will drive the business forward into its next century. Managing Director Hans Ehmann has set the wheels in motion to transition leadership of the business to group Director James Ehmann, joined by group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Linh Bui.

Neumann Space: Herve Astier (ILF2019)

Neumann Space has sent its Neumann Drive into space for the first time. Integrated onto a Skykraft satellite, the world-leading propulsion system lifted off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on 13 June on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Read the media release.