No Limitations

In episode 88, “The Lottery of Life,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to entrepreneur, adventurer, philanthropist and 1986 Australian of the Year Dick Smith AC. Dick is widely known for founding Dick Smith Electronics, Australian Geographic and Dick Smith Foods.
In a lively conversation, Dick shares with us his remarkable adventure, one that truly showcases his entrepreneurial flair and deep desire to make a difference. We hear of his enthralling aviation exploits: weathering hurricane-force winds in a balloon and persevering nasty conditions to make a timely appointment with Prince Charles in the first successful solo circumnavigation of the world in a helicopter. Looking back, Dick reflects on the crucial moments that led to his successes and his hopes for future generations.
Dick was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia in 2015 for eminent service to the community as a benefactor of a range of not-for-profit and conservation organisations, through support for major fundraising initiatives for humanitarian and social welfare programs, to medical research and the visual arts, and to aviation. He recently published his autobiography, My Adventurous Life, where he shares more of his inspiring story and the lessons he's learned about staying true to yourself.

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In episode 87, “Creating the Culture,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Radek Sali, former Chief Executive of Swisse Wellness Group and currently Chairman and Founder of Light Warrior Group, an investment firm committed to creating shared value by investing in businesses that are socially responsible and environmentally conscious.
In today’s conversation, Radek shares with us the guiding principles that have seen him galvanise people towards a common purpose, the pioneering exploits in positioning a premium product as he revolutionised Australia’s health and wellness sector as well as the important lessons learned in a fascinating journey. As Chief Executive of the Swisse Wellness Group, Radek helped negotiate the sale of the group to Hong Kong-listed Biostime for 1.7 billion dollars – one of the largest private company transactions in Australian history.
Radek continues to advocate for a purpose-driven approach to business. He is also Executive Chairman of Wanderlust, a Director of Stratosphere, Anthem, Conscious Investment Management, Igniting Change and the B Team Australasia.

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In Episode 86, “A Future for All,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Tony Stuart, Chief Executive Officer of UNICEF Australia.
In an eye-opening discussion, Tony shares with us the sobering reality children from the most disadvantaged and marginalised sectors in Australia and around the world face; the threats to their safety as they grow up in a society rife with conflict and disasters. He also sheds a light on UNICEF’s efforts to keep children safe, provide education, nutrition and health care as well as to support their long-term development and wellbeing.
While Australia remains one of the richest countries in the world, some 3 million people, including more than 731,000 children are living in poverty. To find out more about UNICEF Australia and to support this most worthwhile of causes, please visit www.unicef.org.au.
Tony also currently serves as Chair of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Advisory Board and is a member of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership. Previously, Tony was the CEO of the National Roads and Motorists' Association and Sydney Airports Corporation. He also recently chaired the Not-for-Profit Advisory Board to the National COVID-19 Commission, was a founding Director of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, and a former Director of the Heart Research Institute of Australia and the Starlight Children’s Foundation National Board.

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In Episode 85, “Look Up, Not Down,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Graham Mirabito, Non-Executive Director of Harcourts International, Lendi, Archistar and Cipherpoint Ltd.
In an engaging and candid conversation, Graham lends us his lens to the world and shares with us his journey across continents, venturing into the unknown, opening new markets and staying at the forefront of game-changing technology. Now in the Boardroom and an avid investor in PropTech and FinTech, Graham sheds a light on the unseen opportunities as well as provides us with valuable insight into the Australian property market.
Graham was previously Chief Executive Officer of RP Data/CoreLogic, having grown the business tenfold as it expanded its range of property data and analytics services. He also previously held senior executive roles at Telstra Corporation, including Executive Director eBusiness and Innovation, Managing Director Telstra UK and Senior Vice President Telstra International.

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In Episode 84, “No Middle Ground,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Andrew Jolliffe, Managing Director and Co-Founder of HTL Property, a boutique specialist and pure brokerage agency.
Andrew, having personally overseen the acquisition or divestment of hundreds of valuable hotel, leisure and tourism assets, shares insights into an industry brimming with opportunity – a unique proposition in what is a core feature of the Australian way of life. We are treated to fascinating stories throughout his career, having started at one of Sydney’s most popular beach-front venues to now leading the premier specialist agency in the country.
Prior to establishing HTL Property, Andrew owned and operated the market-leading hospitality property business within the Ray White Group. He was also previously Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of National Leisure and Gaming Ltd, Managing Director of Grant Samuel Private Equity Hospitality Fund and General Manager of Palace Leisure Group.

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In Episode 83, “Power through Purpose,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Linda Mellors, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Regis Healthcare Ltd, one of Australia’s largest aged care services providers.
In today’s episode, Linda shares some valuable insight into an industry on the cusp of major reform, having gone through an eye-opening Royal Commission as well as a global pandemic that has seen their residents as some of society’s most vulnerable. With Australia’s ageing population continuing to rise, Linda, at the helm of Regis, is uniquely positioned to make a profound impact on the way we tend and care for our elderly loved ones today and in the future.
Linda is also currently a Director of Mackillop Family Services. Prior to joining Regis, Linda held a range of leadership roles in hospital and health systems, as well as a national aged care service. She was also formerly Co-Chair of the Victorian Metropolitan Hospital Chief Executive Group, Inaugural Chair of the Aged Care Reform Network, Chair of the Aged Care Guild and North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Service, Board Member of the Parent Infant Research Institute and Board Director of the South Western Melbourne Medicare Local.

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In Episode 82, “Taking Calculated Risks,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to former public servant, businessman and engineer, Tim Besley AC. Previously, he has been Chairman of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Leighton Holdings and the CIG Group, Chancellor of Macquarie University and Managing Director of Monier Ltd.
We are treated to some fascinating stories from Tim’s distinguished career that spanned both public and private sectors, which saw him walk the corridors of power and his eventual appointment as Chairman of the Commonwealth Bank where he played a key role in its privatisation in the 1990s. He shares his views on the financial services industry today, Australia’s place on the global stage, and the opportunities. We also hear of Tim’s beginnings as an engineer, landing in Sydney at the then Rose Bay International Airport going on to work for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, or the Snowy Scheme, which has been hailed as one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world.
Tim’s career in the public service included senior roles in the Commonwealth Department of Business and Consumer Affairs, the Department of Treasury, the Department of External Territories, the Foreign Investment Review Board, and Customs. He has also previously served as Chairman of the Australian Research Council, the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies, the Telecommunications Service Enquiry, the University of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge Council, the Wheat Export Authority, and the New South Wales Transport Advisory Board.

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In Episode 81, “The Pub Test,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Dan Brady CEO and Managing Director of listed Redcape Hotel Group, CEO and Managing Director MA Hotel Management - an investment grade Hospitality Manager (a subsidiary of MA Financial Group) and an Executive Committee Member of MA Financial Group. Dan leads a hospitality group of more than 1200 dedicated people who passionately enrich 31 different communities along Australia’s east coast.
In an engaging and energising conversation, Dan shares the key pillars to his leadership success including how he leads stakeholder success by elevating common values through a clear and simple vision and strategy which engenders a high level of trust within teams. Dan speaks about his leadership journey and his belief that if you have purpose driven, values aligned people they create a value chain of satisfied customers which in turn delivers sustainable Total Shareholder Returns (TSR).
Through a powerful and insightful conversation, what sets Dan apart as a leader is his purpose led action and how he empowers those around him in all facets of his life to learn, grown and succeed. This has seen Dan drive unbelievable alignment and commitment from those who work with him and for him, customers and investors. With an aim of leading excellence and transcending opportunities, he drives a transparent business model that delivers enhanced experiences to all stakeholders.
Using his experience, Dan actively contributes to the advancement and progression of the industry through his role as a Director of the Liquor Stax Retail Group and as an influential member of the Australian Hotels Association.

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In Episode 80, “Moving the World Forward,” Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Tami Erwin, Chief Executive Officer of Verizon Business.
At the helm of a $32bn business employing 26,000 people across 50 countries, Tami gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of one of the world’s largest communication technology companies, and shares the key tenets behind her impressive rise within the ranks of Verizon and the story behind her moniker, “The Velvet Hammer.”
As the world ushers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and continues to unlock cutting-edge technology, from 5G and edge computing to artificial intelligence and big data, Tami brings to the fore the endless opportunities available to us to address and overcome the challenges individuals, companies and societies face.
Alongside her current position as an Executive Vice President of Verizon Communications Inc., Tami also serves on the Boards of Deere & Company, The Paley Media Center and the Verizon Foundation. Having started as a customer service representative, she has gone on to hold senior leadership positions within the Group, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and heading Verizon Fios, America’s largest residential and commercial fibre network.

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In Episode 79, “The Perfect Blend”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Les Schirato AM, Chief Executive Officer of Vittoria Food and Beverage, home of Australia’s leading pure coffee brand.
Finding himself in a quiet Australian coffee scene many years ago, Les shares with us his journey fuelled by a relentless drive and spirited entrepreneurship, overcoming sociocultural barriers and a conservatively uninspired market to shape the Australian coffee culture we know and love today. As Australia’s “Coffee King”, he has remarkably built a thriving international business and wonderfully brought together the best of Australian and Italian cultures. Finally, Les sheds light on passion, drive, trust and loyalty, elements behind the perfect blend paramount to his success.
Les has served as President of the Australian Coffee and Tea Associate and Chairman of the YPO Gold Sydney Chapter. Les' passion and his service to the community through philanthropic contributions to health, youth, social welfare organisations and to business was recognised with him being awarded a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2008. In 2017, Les was awarded a Knighthood of the Order of Merit by Decree of the French President for his work between Australia and France in the area of trade and tourism.

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