No Limitations

In Episode 58, “Follow Your Instincts”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Trevor Rowe AO, previously Executive Chairman and currently a Senior Advisor of Rothschild & Co Australia. Prior thereto, he was at Citigroup Global Markets and held numerous senior positions within Salomon Brothers for over 23 years. He was previously Chairman of UGL Ltd, Resimac Group, Careers Australia Group, BrisConnections, Queensland BioCapital Fund Ltd, Gotalk Ltd, The World and the Queensland Investment Corporation. Trevor also served on the Boards of the Future Fund of Australia and the Australian Securities Exchange Ltd, and was a Member of the Australian Foreign Affairs Council during the Howard Government and the Australia-China High-Level Dialogue Forum. He was the Chancellor of Bond University from 2002 to 2009.
In a candid conversation, Trevor shares a number of fascinating stories, from his interactions with Presidents, Prime Ministers, global CEOs and entrepreneurial giants to his journey in forging a successful international career. He touches on the importance of education and understanding other perspectives in managing relationships, be it in brokering deals or balancing on the tightrope of geopolitics. Finally, Greg and Trevor cover the international state of affairs, the global economy and the new world.
Please note that this was recorded prior to the 2020 United States Presidential Election.

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In Episode 57, “The New Future”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Gabby Costigan MBE, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia. She is also Chair of the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service and was previously Chief Executive Officer for Linfox International Group. A retired Colonel in the Australian Army, she has had a distinguished career that included commanding logistic operations for both Australian and US deployed military forces.
In an open conversation, Gabby shares her experience in the army, having been to Afghanistan and Iraq and how she made the successful transition from the military to the corporate world. Greg and Gabby discuss the exciting growth trajectory of the Australian defence industry and how it will shape the country moving forward with the billions being invested into the sector, a beacon of hope in these most challenging of times, with the technologies being developed in our backyard that will give Australian industry a competitive advantage for years to come.

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In Episode 56, “Team Spirit Is a One-Way Street”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to John Bertrand AO, international sportsman, Olympic medallist and world champion. John famously skippered the winged keel Australia II to victory to win the 1983 America’s Cup, breaking 132 years of American domination. The Confederation of Australian Sport voted the victory as the finest team performance in 200 years of Australian sport. He is currently Chair of The Sport Australia Hall of Fame and previously President of Swimming Australia and Chair of the Alannah and Madeline Children’s Foundation.
In a captivating conversation, John looks back on the historic day Australia won the America’s Cup: the lead-up to it, having to overcome a 3-1 deficit and drawing the courage, conviction and cunning to conquer the Americans. An engineer by background, he draws on the importance of embracing technology and innovation, having the trust and vision together with the mental toughness in building high-performing teams in pursuit of excellence. Finally, John and Greg discuss leadership, from the deck to the Boardroom, and we find out what’s next in John’s illustrious career.

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In Episode 55, “It All Starts with the Family”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Josephine Sukkar AM, Principal and Co-Owner of Buildcorp, which she established with her husband 30 years ago. She is also a Non-Executive Director of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd, Growthpoint Properties Australia Ltd, the Property Council of Australia, The Australian Museum, Opera Australia and the Sydney University Football Club Foundation. She is also the Chair of the Buildcorp Foundation and President of Australian Women’s Rugby.
In a candid conversation, Josephine shares with us the lessons learned, the importance of staying true to one’s values and the amazing teamwork behind the success of Buildcorp. She talks about her passions, from Australian Rugby and supporting the women’s game, to her advocacy for mental health and sheds a light on the issue plaguing our society, heightened by the pandemic. Finally, Josephine challenges us to think differently and take this time as an opportunity to reflect on this collective experience and to ask ourselves how we will move forward and what do we want for our country and our future.

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In Episode 54, “The Game – It’s Completely Changed”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson is delighted to speak to Kevin McCann AO, Chairman of Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd and China Matters, Director of Evans Dixon Ltd and a Trustee of the Sydney Opera House Trust. He is a former Chairman of Macquarie Group Ltd and Macquarie Bank Ltd, Origin Energy Ltd, Healthscope Ltd, Citadel Group Ltd and ING Management Ltd.
Kevin has had an impressive career influencing almost every business sector in Australia and along the way, has been prepared to challenge the establishment and champion new thinking. In this thought-provoking episode, Kevin shares his insights on the state of the Boardroom, Australia on the world stage, learnings from the Hayne Royal Commission, immigration and red tape.
Kevin touches on the future direction of Australian business, the current economic climate and the challenge for Australia and where he sees Australia’s energy policy. He also discusses the key to business success, what a Chairman looks for in a Chief Executive Officer and his thoughts on diversity.
Please note that this was recorded prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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In Episode 53, “The Battle for the Soul of America”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Stephen Loosley AM, who served as Senator for New South Wales in the Australian Parliament during the Hawke and Keating Governments, where he chaired both the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and the Senate Regulations Committee. He is now the Deputy Chair of Thales Australia and a Director of O’Connell Street Associates. He has served as Chair of the Woomera Prohibited Area Advisory Board and is the immediate past Chair of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, where he is now a Senior Fellow.
In today’s discussion, Stephen will help us navigate the upcoming US election, in what many argue will possibly be the most divisive of campaigns and one of the most important elections in our lifetime. He takes us through the state of play, the candidates and their respective parties, their platforms and policies and where it will be won and lost.
Looking forward, there will be a second part to the conversation after the election, to review the key moments, where it was ultimately won, what the future of America will look like and what this means to Australia and the world.
Please note that the views and opinions expressed by Stephen Loosley in this podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organisations he is involved with

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In Episode 52, “Selfish Happiness”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to 2011 Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon AO. Simon is currently Chancellor of Monash University and Non-Executive Director of National Australia Bank Ltd and Rio Tinto Group. He previously served as Chairman of AMP Ltd and CSIRO and was Founding President of the Federal Government’s Australian Takeovers Panel. Simon has had a long and passionate involvement with non-profit organisations, including serving as Chairman of MS Research Australia, Independent Schools Victoria, In2Science, Summer Housing, South East Melbourne and the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative.
In a candid conversation, Greg and Simon discuss the fast-forwarding of change brought about by COVID-19, from the banking sector to education and how young people can adapt and thrive in the new era. An avid sportsman, Simon translates lessons from the fast-paced arena of sailing, where he held the outright world sailing speed record for many years, to the Boardroom, in embracing innovation and the power of diversity. Finally, Simon brings to the fore why selfishness and philanthropy go hand in hand and he shines a light on the champions of the non-profit sector, whose passion and devotion in making a positive difference to people’s lives make them our unsung heroes.

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In Episode 51, “That’s the Game!”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Marcus Blackmore AM, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman and currently Executive Director of Blackmores Ltd. Under his leadership, Blackmores has grown from a small range of natural remedies to become the number one natural health company in Australia. The Blackmores Group is now home to seven brands sold in 17 markets and recognised across the Asia Pacific region as the most trusted in natural health.
An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Marcus is also an honorary trustee of the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, an Honorary Fellow of the Heart Research Institute and an honorary Chief in Samoa.
In an engaging discussion, Marcus shares with us his experiences that have influenced him and led to his success. From his time in the army in Vietnam, the big decisions which ultimately shaped Blackmores, to the challenges corporate Australia face, he does not hold anything back. Finally, Marcus talks about his passion for life and people, the spirit of entrepreneurship and how to win a customer for life.

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In Episode 50, “Perfect or Possible”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Member for Hunter, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources and member of the Australian Labor Party. After being elected in 1996, Joel has represented his electorate for the last 24 years. He was previously Minister for Defence and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He has also served as Chief Government Whip and Chaired the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & Trade.
The son of former Member of Parliament Eric Fitzgibbon, Joel shares with us his upbringing and how the principle of equality of opportunity was instilled in him and continues to drive him to this very day. He gives us a unique look into the life of a politician, from its rigorous demands to the satisfaction derived in serving the people that put their faith in him. He also talks about the current state of the Labor party; its leadership, the challenges in finding the right balance and how they can once again form Government, with Joel having spent 18 of his 24 years in Parliament in the opposition.
In a fast-paced discussion, Joel offers his frank views on the important issues we face as a nation, from climate, energy and industry debates, the pragmatism and possible compromise required in transitioning to renewable energy and the reality facing his constituents in the broader conversation about Australia’s relationship with China. He also calls on the business community to step up and demand from the Government the policy reforms needed for Australia to succeed . Lastly, Joel reminds us that in our capacity to drive change, we should never let the perfect get in the way of the possible.

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In Episode 49, “The Big Challenge”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Dr Martin Parkinson AC, the Chancellor of Macquarie University. Martin served in the Commonwealth Government for almost 40 years, most recently as the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2016 to 2019 and Secretary of the Australian Treasury from 2011 to 2014. He was also Secretary of Australia’s inaugural Department of Climate Change between 2007 and 2011.
Martin is currently a Non-Executive Director of Worley Ltd, North Queensland Airports and Male Champions of Change, and is a member of the Northern Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission. He previously served on the Boards of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Orica Ltd and the German Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and was Chair of the Australian Office of Financial Management.
In this insightful conversation, Martin shares with us his views on a myriad of topics, from the inner workings of Government, the difficult task of bringing everyone together on climate policy, the impact of the pandemic on our third largest export, education, and the current dynamics in play in foreign policy. Martin and Greg address the big issues – what do we want as a society, what is important, where we are headed and the big challenge ahead.

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