No Limitations

In Episode 38, “Life Is Walking Through a Door”, Blenheim Partners‘ Gregory Robinson speaks to Michael Hawker AM, Non-Executive Director of Macquarie Group Ltd, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd, BUPA Global Board, BUPA ANZ Group and Rugby World Cup Ltd. He is also a Board Member of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Michael was previously the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Insurance Australia Group Ltd and Chairman of Australian Rugby Union. He represented Australia in rugby union, wearing the green and gold 25 times as well as being Vice-Captain of the Wallabies.
In an engaging discussion, Michael takes us through his journey from being an elite athlete to the challenges he faced as CEO of one of Australia’s most respected organisations. He talks to us about the changing landscapes in global perspectives and the complexities and disruptions at play through the lens of an international Board Director.
Michael and Greg discuss leadership, particularly in a time of crisis and ambiguity, the conviction required in making the difficult decisions and stepping up when presented with the opportunity. Michael recalls the important moments in his career and why life is walking through a door.
Note: This podcast was recorded on 19th March 2020.

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In Episode 37, “The Risk of Not Making Change”, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Tim Salt, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GWA Group Ltd. Tim was previously the Managing Director for Diageo Australasia. He also held senior roles in various fast-moving consumer goods companies in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, including Unilever, Lion Nathan, Campbell Arnott’s, Pepsi and Tetley Tea.
In a world where competition is ruthless, Tim brings to light the importance for leaders to make bold decisions to stay ahead of the pack, drawing on his international experience and intense customer-focused DNA. Tim talks about his journey, the early days as an ASX-listed company CEO, walking the walk and seizing opportunities in the once traditional commercial and residential building market that is now undergoing significant shifts.
Tim and Greg have a very open discussion about management theory versus reality and the need for leadership to communicate a clear and aligned purpose. Tim emphasises the importance of having the right people, the “game changers” on the bus, and how GWA’s cutting edge efforts in water solutions and sustainability are leading the world, so much so that they are saving the equivalent of Sydney Harbour’s volume of water each year.

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In Episode 36, “Onwards and Upwards”, Blenheim Partners‘ Gregory Robinson speaks to Adrian Turner, a technologist and successful entrepreneur who was the Co-Founder of Borondi Group and Mocana Corporation, a smartphone and Internet of Things security company based in Silicon Valley. He was also the Founding CEO of CSIRO’s Data61, Australia’s largest data innovation network, and is Co-Chair of The Australian Cyber Security Growth Network. Adrian was the Chairman of Australia’s expat network, Advance.org, helping it grow from just over a thousand Australians in New York City to a network of 24,000 across 83 countries. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Digital Economy. A person who makes things happen, Adrian is currently working with Andrew Forrest and the Minderoo Foundation and leads the Minderoo Wildfire and Disaster Resilience Program.
Adrian gives us a rare insight into his Silicon Valley experience and how it all came together, sharing stories about the challenges of raising capital, bootstrapping a company to move forward, and the beginnings of tech giants and their founders who are now household names. We learn about the speed of decision making, the incredible spirit of entrepreneurship and the acceptance of failure as part of the journey. Greg and Adrian discuss his return to Australia armed with ideas, the desire to pay it forward and the tremendous success of Data61.
Adrian’s forward-thinking attitude has made him a pioneer in his industry, and in this discussion, we hear about his vision: his next venture and the new industries about to emerge. We also find out more about his role in the Minderoo Foundation to lead the development of a globally-relevant national blueprint for fire and disaster resilience, having fought the fires up close and how a crisis can be an opportunity in disguise.

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In Episode 32, "Putting the Planet First", Blenheim Partners' Gregory Robinson is delighted to speak to Geoff Brunsdon, Chairman of...

In Episode 31, "Straight Up Courage", Blenheim Partners' Gregory Robinson speaks to Fred Schebesta, Co-Founder and Chief...

In Episode 30, "Finding a Voice in a World of Noise", Blenheim Partners' Gregory Robinson speaks to the...