Finding the Front

By Euroz HartleysBusiness Entrepreneurship Investing Management

Finding the Front episodes

June 19, 2025Jake Klein, Executive Chair of Evolution Mining
50th Ep. Gold. China. Leadership. Strategy. Australian Mining’s Challenges. Unfiltered.
Our special guest is one of Australia’s most influential mining leaders, Jake Klein, Executive Chair of Evolution Mining.
In this jam packed Finding the Front 50thepisode Jake provides valuable lessons and observations in gold, China and importantly, the future of Australia's mining sector.
A seriously insightful discussion, Jake opens up on his:
early days in Cape Town and arriving in Australia with $1,000 in his pocket, the major influence of his first job at Macquarie Group,
views on early China and leading the largest foreign gold miner in China Sino Gold to a $2.2B exit,
insights into the founding of Lynas Rare Earths Ltd where he was a long term Non-Exec Director,
his journey over 15 years and the steps to build Evolution into a gold powerhouse - M&A, gold assets (inc. Mt Rawdon, its mine life to now becoming a Pumped Hydro Project for Qld energy), costs, people, gold price and
the challenges facing the future of the Australian mining sector including the major influence of China.
For those who love mining or are involved in the industry, opportunities like this don’t come along often.
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1 hr 29 min
June 04, 2025John Hughes, Founder of John Hughes Group
A Legend Behind the Wheel of Business.
Few names carry weight in the WA Automotive sector like John Hughes. Starting his own business in his early 30s in 1969 and for over 50 years, navigating business cycles, accumulating a stable of new car brands and a huge pre-owned vehicle operation to now having car yards across Perth. John has led from the front the whole way doing what he loves.
This is a timeless episode for all generations and walks of life. From his background and upbringing, to becoming a household name in Perth and beyond, this story is packed with deep insight, energy, and inspiration. The takeaways and life lessons just keep on coming:
Getting a start in the Car industry
Meeting his beautiful wife Margarita
Borrowing the lot to get his first site
The power of loving what you do
What it takes to build and maintain a trusted brand
What it takes to be a best seller - sales and marketing truths from a master
The mindset behind being extraordinary — every single day
Family
This conversation is a rare window into the mind of one of Australia’s most enduring entrepreneurs.
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1 hr 15 min
May 19, 2025 Dino Otranto, Chief Executive Officer of Fortescue Metals
New Episode: Finding the Front with Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals (FMG.ASX)

In this rare and candid episode, Dino reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career—from his early upbringing to leading operations in Mozambique and navigating major challenges in Canada, including a 77-day employee strike and the devastating Brumadinho tailings dam disaster.

Dino opens up about his journey to FMG, his transition into the CEO role, and the values he brings to leadership: transparency, authenticity, and deep respect for the company's legacy. He also acknowledges the powerful influence of Dr Andrew Forrest and the contribution and culture of FMG’s 20,000+ strong team.

This episode goes beyond mining. It explores innovation at the intersection of technology and sustainability, and Fortescue’s vision of producing Green Iron—a bold roadmap that’s redefining the future of iron ore.

A hugely insightful listen with a proud WA leader who is helping lead a global shift.
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1 hr 31 min
April 30, 2025 Loui Kannikoski, Founder, Managing Director & CEO of Bhagwan Marine
Our special guest for this episode is Loui Kannikoski, the Founder, Managing Director & CEO of leading marine solutions provider Bhagwan Marine. After leaving school at age 14, Loui began his career working in the family crayfishing business in Geraldton, taking over the business in the mid-1980s. In the late 90s, Loui and his family decided to change tack and shift out of crayfishing and enter the oil and gas industry as a service provider. Well the rest as they say is history. In 2000, Bhagwan Marine was formed and some 24 years later the company listed on the ASX now operating across the oil & gas, resources, civil construction, logistics and defence industries. There are not too many journeys around like this one.
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1 hr 7 min
April 10, 2025 Robert Millner AO, Chairman of Soul Patts
In this Ep of Finding the Front it was a privilege to host Robert Millner AO, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most experienced and respected investors and Chair of iconic company, the 120+ year old Soul Patts (Washington H. Soul Pattinson). Rob is the 4th generation of his family to lead the business and the simple but important takeaways from this conversation are compelling for all investors.
Rob has been Chair of Soul Patts over the past quarter of a century overseeing significant growth in shareholder value and increasing the dividends paid every year over the last 25 years.
This podcast covers comparison to Berkshire Hathaway, his family upbringing, first job in the markets, the Soul Patts journey and focusing on good people and cash generation, New Hope Coal, Brickworks, TPG, buying businesses and what is key, his view on the cost of doing business, the current market conditions and the US and much more.
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49 min
March 28, 2025 Matt Callahan, Founder & Executive Director of Botanix Pharmaceuticals
For this brand new episode of Finding the Front we are so fortunate to have biotech and life sciences veteran Matt Callahan on the show. Matt is a Philadelphia based, Australian born life sciences entrepreneur, with a track record of building and exiting numerous life sciences companies in pain, oncology, dermatology, cell therapies, animal health and regenerative medicine.

He starts the show off on the front foot answering the question of Donald Trumps impact going forward on the US Biotech and Life Science sector showcasing his thoughts for aspiring investors.

Matt has accumulated 25 years legal, life sciences, IP and investment management experience and is founder and executive director of ASX listed Botanix Pharmaceuticals, co-founder and director of Respirion Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd and was also a co-founder of life science companies Dimerix Bioscience Ltd, Mirata Pharmaceuticals LLC and Orthocell Ltd, as well as the Bill Gates backed climate tech company, Rumin8 Pty Ltd.

Matt is such a great communicator and provides some deep insights into being an entrepreneur, the world of life sciences, FDA approval, the phases of a company and distribution. This really is a captivating chat.
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1 hr 22 min
March 19, 2025 Paul Blackburne, Managing Director of Blackburne
Welcome to our latest Ep of Finding the Front. We are very fortunate to have leading, award winning, Western Australian property developer Paul Blackburne as our special guest. Paul’s 20+ year old business Blackburne has developed and settled some $1 billion of property in the last two years alone with a strong future pipeline of high end apartments in hand.
In this wide ranging podcast, Paul provides a unique insight into his background, travel, building his business and property development including risk, using your own equity, buyer types, assessing a potential development, cost of building and lots more. For those who love their property, there is plenty to take away from this conversation given Paul’s vast experience and understanding of the industry.
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1 hr 17 min
December 23, 2024Dale Henderson, Managing Director & CEO of Pilbara Minerals
Our very special guest is Pilbara Minerals MD & CEO Dale Henderson and there is no stone left unturned in this conversation around PLS, the lithium story and both the challenges but also the opportunity set in a world of growing EV and battery storage adoption. Dale grew up in NZ, excelled at University, thrives on a challenge and kept on building his skill set to be the leader he is today. If you want an understanding of Dale’s global views on the current Lithium market and where it is positioned, this is compulsory listening.
0.00: Growing up in NZ and getting an education
9.25: “building stuff and scale”, career kicks off
13.04: Move to Australia, Newman Hope Downs 1, Middle East Oil & Gas, Back to Australia, Worley Parsons, Fortescue Metals Group
25.50: Joining Pilbara Minerals, intro to Lithium, Great Team,
28.42: Deep Dive; including Origins, EV Sales, Supply, Demand, Pricing, Battery Manufacturing and the long game, Partnering, Downstream, Car Companies, Global markets and the role of China, being CEO and Strategy, New Transport Tech, Capital Allocation, Opportunity
1.08.28: Family and work/life balance? Ultra Marathons & Mountaineering
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1 hr 18 min
December 12, 2024David Paradice, Founder of Paradice Investment Management
Our special guest is one of Australia’s legendary stock pickers, Mr David Paradice AO, the founder of Paradice Investment Management.

The Paradice Investment Management team manage a phenomenal amount of money - around $17 billion in assets under management. Its namesake founder, David Paradice AO, is so passionate about his craft.
In this deep dive, David shares his experiences on just about everything from growing up in Scone in the Hunter region, boarding school, trying to find a job, how he made his way into the public markets, building a funds management business, his team, his love of picking stocks and the small cap sector, meeting with management, doing the work and how there is no “short cut” and his current views on the markets.
He also shares his thoughts on why he learns from Warren Buffett but doesn't follow him - they have their own way of doing things including going out and picking the stocks, doing the numbers, working out if something is cheap or expensive and then having a real crack at it!
Plus we hear first-hand about his love of giving back, the game of Polo, including meeting the Queen and of course, family.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
4:03 - Tales from growing up on a 150 acre farm just outside of Scone, NSW
10:37 - Paradice's first role as a research analyst at a stock broker, investing through the 1987 crash
15:38 - The pressure of managing others people’s money
17:59 - Paradice's five-year stint managing small caps at Mercantile Mutual/ING Group + Why company visits are not a chore
19:34 - Why Paradice decided to go out on his own despite the knock backs
23:09 - The super funds that have supported Paradice IM + How the Paradice team's culture has evolved over time
27:17 - What company visits reveal to stock pickers and analysts + Why Paradice wants to take inspiration from Warren Buffett but not follow him
30:33 - Why Paradice respects businesses and funds who cap their returns + Is managing too much money a bad thing?
33:21 - Should portfolio managers be generalists or sector specialists?
36:12 - How Paradice and his team approached the 2008 GFC + how they make a decision on when and what to deploy cash into
42:39 - 'Part of the skill is sticking to the right stocks so that your performance doesn't get belted during the bad times'
44:40 - A good investment can be expensive - but if they grow at 30-40%, it's warranted
46:26 - Receiving the Order of Australia for philanthropic services
48:50 - How Paradice's selection of funds has grown over time + Why doing the work, even at the earliest hours, is what makes the difference
51:28 - Current market views: Trump, Musk, China, growth, commodities, themes
57:32 - Commodities, threats with AI, gold, bitcoin, silver
1:01:53 - Working with Geoff Wilson's Future Generation, supporting the Taronga Zoo Foundation, and other charitable pursuits
1:06:01 - Health, work and life balance, trust, love of polo, teamwork, the Queen
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Paradice Investment Management
This material represents only the views of David Paradice and is not intended, and may not, represent the views of Paradice Investment Management Pty Ltd (ABN 64 090 148 619, AFSL No. 224158)(Paradice) or any of its investment teams. The information is of a general nature only and was current only at the time of initial discussion. This material (or contribution to it) is not intended to constitute advertising or advice (including legal, tax or investment advice or security recommendation) of any kind. Where this includes reference to securities, Paradice may have a relevant interest in securities mentioned therein.
Returns are not guaranteed by any person and reference to past performance is not an indicator of future performance. You should consider your own needs and objectives and consult with a licensed financial adviser.
The information and opinions contained herein are not necessarily all-inclusive and, as such, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of any assumption contained herein and no responsibility arising for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by Paradice, its officers, employees or agents.
1 hr 19 min
November 22, 2024 Jennifer Westacott AO, Former Chief Exec. of the Business Council of Australia, Non-Exec. Director of Wesfarmers, Chair of Future Generation Global & Non Exec. Director of ATCO Australia
Our special guest for this Ep is Jennifer Westacott AO and what a conversation it is – an inspiring story of one of Australia’s leading women. After growing up in public housing in a troubled family environment, Jennifer became (amongst lots more) Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia for some 12 years, Non-Exec Director of Wesfarmers, Chair of Future Generation Global, the first female Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Board Member of energy company ATCO Australia and Co-Patron of Pride in Diversity. Over her journey Jennifer provides her first hand insights into the housing shortage in Australia, her views on Corporate Australia, meeting Donald Trump and when he was President and other international leaders, the role of the Private Sector and her views on WA as an economic power house of Australia including her take on policies making mining difficult. She discusses energy supply and her role with ATCO. She also provides her highly qualified perspective on Tertiary education and where it goes next, and the building of the new airport and city in Western Sydney (which she Chairs) which is a game changer for Australia. Jennifer was awarded a Centenary Medal and an Order of Australia. This really is an inspiring story with a national perspective.
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1 hr 25 min

About Finding the Front

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Finding the Front is presented to you by Euroz Hartleys, a leading Western Australian financial services business, specialising in the provision of wealth management, stockbroking, corporate finance,…