DECEMBER BULLETIN

A proud Adelaidean and Managing Director of Australian Green Clean, Charlie Sykes shares how she turned career detours into dreams.

Message from the Chief Executive

Welcome to the December bulletin, which wraps up an especially big year for the ILF and our outstanding Scholar’s Network.

You can be rightly very proud of your achievements for South Australia as a group this year, including some outstanding individual accomplishments. Many of these have been showcased front and centre in the mainstream media, as well as these bulletins. I’d encourage you to take a quiet moment over the break to have a look through 2023’s back issues you might have missed.

This edition is a great read, with Charlie Sykes (ILF2018) in the spotlight. Charlie’s self-motivation has seen her emerge from a legal career into purpose-driven roles in the green economy, eventually buying out Australian Green Clean. Charlie has been an enthusiastic contributor to the ILFSN, including serving as a member of the committee which, together with the rest of this dedicated team, plays a key role in shaping the future of the Scholars Network.

Look out for the annual Scholars survey in January. This one will be especially important as it will address key program updates, particularly for the ILFSN and the 2025/26 calendar of professional and social events.

It’s been very rewarding to meet many of you this year and I look forward to getting to know each of you personally in due course. It’s been even more rewarding to see new connections being made and strengthened between existing and incoming Scholars, who have been warmly welcomed to the ILF.

Suzi and I, together with the Board and the ILFSN Committee, extend our warmest wishes to each of you, your families and loved ones for a well-earned, safe and peaceful break.

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

Charlie Sykes
Managing Director, Australian Green Clean
Professional Management Program
University of Adelaide, 2018

A proud Adelaidean and Managing Director of Australian Green Clean, Charlie’s story is a dynamic narrative of turning career detours into dreams. Continue reading as Charlie shares her career background, learnings and tips for others in business.

A legal leap to new horizons

I was born and raised in Adelaide, where I enjoyed playing sports and volunteering in the community. My parents gave me a wonderful upbringing and taught me to believe in myself. I pursued a double degree in law and international studies, hoping to make a difference in the world. However, after working for a year in a corporate law firm, I realised that this was not the right path for me. I felt frustrated by the slow pace and the tedious details of the legal profession. I wanted to find a career that matched my drive and passion for growth and development.

Green beginnings

I loved working with people and seeing through projects that had a meaningful impact, so I joined Australian Green Clean. I joined their events team and immediately fell in love with the fast-paced and impactful role. I was inspired by their vision of ethics, sustainability and growth, and I developed a strong bond with our staff, clients and the opportunities the business offered. 

A business booster

Three years after joining the business, I decided to further my education and skills. The ILF gave me the opportunity to enrol in the Professional Management Program at the University of Adelaide, which taught me the fundamentals of leadership, negotiation and finance. The program boosted my confidence and understanding of running a business. Last year, I achieved one of my goals and bought out the previous business partner. Now, we are a fully 100 per cent family-owned business. It was a dream come true!

Advice for others

•    Build your squad: Having a supportive network is golden.
•    Failure is growth: Don't fear setbacks; they're lessons in disguise.
•    Stay true to you: Authenticity is your superpower.
•    Patience is key: Building a business takes time; enjoy the ride.

Image: Charlie with her husband Andy and dog Olive, a regular in the AGC office!

Adelaide Town Hall Aglow

In stunning contrast to the dreary weather outside, our end-of-year celebration brightened Adelaide Town Hall with the vibrant energy of success and connection. The event marked one of the highest-attended festive gatherings in our history, bringing together a dynamic community of 80 Scholars.

A celebration of individual and company successes this past year, the event served as a bridge to connect with our new cohort of Scholars, who are set to embark on their ILF-supported professional development journeys over the coming years.

The atmosphere was nothing short of inspiring, with attendees sharing their visions and aspirations for the future of South Australia. It was a testament to the strength of our network – a community that thrives on collaboration and actively contributes to the prosperity of our state.

One of the highlights of the evening was acknowledging the remarkable growth and accomplishments of our Scholars and their companies. The significant amount of media they garnered in 2023 stands as a testament to their innovative and impactful work, further solidifying their positions as trailblazers in their respective fields.

As we bid farewell to 2023, the ILFSN is excitedly gearing up for an eventful 2024. The calendar will be brimming with engaging opportunities for Scholars to reconnect and, true to the essence of the Scholars Network, cultivate those invaluable links that fuel growth and development across our fabulous state.

Stay tuned for an exciting year ahead, as we continue to champion success, collaboration and the bright future of South Australia.

Scholars in the Media