Stephen Cole oversees four mining hubs, thousands of employees, and the daily operations that keep one of Australia’s largest iron ore producers running. In this episode, we sit down with Fortescue’s Director of Mining Operations to explore what that leadership actually looks like—on the ground and from the air.

We talk about his early days at BHP, the cultural shift he experienced moving to Fortescue, and how operational decisions get made at speed in a high-pressure environment. Stephen also opens up about the personal side of the job—the toll it can take, how he manages mental health, and why showing up on site still matters.

We also discuss Fortescue’s push into green iron and hydrogen, building a culture of safety and inclusion, and what it means to lead in a cyclical, capital-intensive industry.

Recorded after a tour of Fortescue’s Perth office, this episode is a candid look at leadership, resilience, and transformation in the mining sector.

Innovation is often talked about in terms of breakthroughs and big ideas—but the real challenge lies in turning those ideas into investable, scalable businesses. That’s where today’s guest comes in. Ken Jefferd is the Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation at the University of Melbourne and Managing Director of its commercialisation arm, helping guide one of Australia’s most significant research portfolios into the hands of industry, investors, and end users.Ken’s background bridges both corporate and academic worlds. Before joining the university sector, he held senior global roles at BP, including as Head of Research & Technology and later CEO of one of BP’s Australian subsidiaries. Now, he oversees a $1.5 billion research and innovation enterprise, helping shape the infrastructure, capital pathways, and partnerships that fuel Australia’s knowledge economy.In today’s episode, we dive into Ken’s global experience, how Australia can better capitalise on its research strength, and the impact of new initiatives like Tin Alley Ventures and the Jumar Bioincubator.We also unpack the policy settings, funding gaps, and collaboration models that are shaping the future of commercialisation in Australia. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Ken Jefferd.

Turning world-class research into real-world impact is no easy task. It takes deep scientific knowledge, a sharp commercial eye, and a whole lot of persistence. Few people understand this better than our guest today, Dr. Peter Devine, CEO of Uniseed—Australia’s longest-running venture fund focused on research commercialisation.

Peter’s career has spanned the lab bench and the boardroom. With a background in biochemistry, microbiology, and a PhD in gynaecological oncology, he’s spent time in both academia and industry, giving him a unique perspective on how breakthrough science can become investable innovation. Before leading Uniseed, Peter worked in commercialisation offices like UniQuest, helping university researchers navigate the complex world of IP and tech transfer.

In today’s episode, we dive into Peter’s journey from scientific research to venture capital, his leadership at Uniseed, and what it takes to back high-risk, high-reward science-driven startups.

We also unpack the challenges of early-stage investing in Australia, the profile of successful deep-tech ventures, and Peter’s advice for young scientists looking to turn research into a career in innovation or investing. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr. Peter Devine.

Check out Peter Devine's Music: HERE

In the world of financial services, where every process must be airtight and every action traceable, documentation isn’t just admin—it’s risk management, compliance, and operational continuity. Yet teams still spend 4 to 6 hours manually writing SOPs and process guides—until now.Our guests today are Finn and Oliver, co-founders of Fluency, a company that’s reimagining how operations teams work. Best mates who learned to code while juggling university and part-time jobs, Fluency was born from Finn’s time in investment banking and an internship at HESTA, where he saw firsthand the inefficiencies of legacy documentation. What started as a side project quickly grew into a category-defining product.Fluency is 50x faster documentation. Their AI captures every step of a process with a simple 5-minute screen recording, transforming it into clear, compliant documentation in seconds. Already trusted by major players like AON, KordaMentha, and Bennelong Funds Management, Fluency is becoming critical infrastructure for financial services teams with high regulatory overhead and limited time.But they haven’t stopped there. After speaking to customers, they realised the deeper issue: operations teams were flying blind. So they built real-time process observation—a module that gives operations teams live visibility into workflows, bottlenecks, and compliance risks, similar to what sales and engineering teams get through CRMs.With $1.5 million in pre-seed backing and a bold mission to bring AI to enterprise operations, Finn and Oliver are just getting started.

It’s always fascinating to examine the economy from two different angles—especially when one is through the eyes of a wealth adviser and the other from the perspective of a business and restructuring specialist. While both are navigating the same macro environment, their day-to-day realities couldn’t be more different. In this episode, recorded just before the announcement of the latest Trump tariffs, we explore how both individuals and businesses are responding to what has become an increasingly complex and volatile economic climate.To help us do that, we’re joined by two senior professionals from Vincents—our podcast sponsor and one of Australia’s leading multidisciplinary advisory firms. Kenneth Beanland, from Vincents Private Wealth, and Steven Staatz, from the firm’s Restructuring & Insolvency division, bring years of experience in advising clients through both prosperous and uncertain times. From helping clients build resilient investment portfolios to working with struggling SMEs on turnarounds and restructuring, the breadth of their insight makes for a really unique and timely discussion.Hello and welcome back to The Business Of, I’m Will, and I’m Charlie. In today’s episode, we unpack the current economic climate from both the boardroom and the balance sheet—how small-to-medium businesses are coping with sustained rate pressure, and how investors are adapting their portfolios to meet both near-term needs and long-term goals.We also explore the federal government's Small Business Restructuring initiative, the rise of private markets in investment strategies, and wrap up with a few lighter questions—including a stock pick for 2025. We hope you enjoy this special episode featuring Kenneth Beanland and Steven Staatz from Vincents.

In a country as vast and decentralised as Australia, the heavy vehicle industry is the lifeblood of our economy—connecting farms to ports, factories to distribution centres, and towns to cities. It’s easy to overlook just how critical the sector is, but without trucks, Australia stops. At the centre of this essential industry is our guest today, Todd Hacking, the CEO of the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia.

Todd’s career is as interesting as it is relevant. From his early days in federal politics, working in government roles and regulatory affairs, to leading advocacy at Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia, he’s spent years building the policy and negotiation skills that now serve him so well at HVIA. It’s this blend of political instinct and industry insight that makes him uniquely suited to represent over 300 of Australia’s most important transport manufacturers and suppliers.

In today’s episode, we unpack Todd’s career journey, from Parliament House to the Brisbane Truck Show, and hear how he helped double HVIA’s membership during a pandemic while pushing for major policy reforms like the instant asset write-off.

We also dive into the future of heavy vehicles in Australia—from electrification and hydrogen innovation to safety, workforce development, and what’s being done to keep this vital industry moving. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Todd Hacking.

Brisbane has never been more front and centre. With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, the eyes of the world are firmly fixed on the River City. But beyond the stadiums and sporting headlines, Brisbane is undergoing a broader transformation—economically, culturally, and globally—and few people are better placed to talk about that than today’s guest.

Anthony Ryan is the CEO of the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, or BEDA, the city’s lead organisation driving tourism, investment, major events, and economic growth. With a background in community leadership and social enterprise, Anthony brings a unique perspective to one of the most strategically important roles in Brisbane’s future. Under his leadership, BEDA has adopted a data-driven and impact-focused approach to preparing Brisbane not just for the Olympics, but for long-term, sustainable success.

In today’s episode, we dive into the sectors that are energising Brisbane’s economy—from medtech and tourism to private capital and infrastructure—and what the path to 2032 and beyond could look like.

We’ll also unpack insights from BEDA’s State of the City Report, talk about the surge in international tourism, and hear Anthony’s vision for what a truly successful Olympic Games could mean for Brisbane.

Very few businesses in Australia can claim a history as rich and enduring as Washington H. Soul Pattinson. Founded in 1872 as a single pharmacy, it has since evolved into a diversified investment powerhouse, yet remarkably, it has remained a family-led enterprise for over 150 years. As the second-oldest ASX-listed company, Soul Patts has not only weathered world wars, economic depressions, financial crises, and evolving industry landscapes—it has thrived. It stands as a rare example of a business that has successfully balanced tradition with transformation, consistently delivering strong returns across multiple generations including this year earning the title 'Dividend Aristocrat' - a title afforded to a company that has grown its dividend every year for 25 years.

At the centre of this extraordinary journey is our guest today, Robert Millner. A direct descendant of the original founders, Rob has been on the board of WHSP since 1984 and Chairman since 1998, overseeing the company’s transition from its pharmaceutical roots to one of Australia’s most respected and diversified investment houses. Under his leadership, WHSP has expanded into telecommunications, energy, financial services, and beyond, all while maintaining its reputation for patience, discipline, and long-term value creation. Known for his pragmatic approach and contrarian investment philosophy, Robert has guided WHSP through multiple market cycles, making bold decisions that have positioned the company as a steady and strategic force in Australian business.

In today’s episode, we explore the remarkable history of Soul Patts, Rob's approach to leadership and investment, and how the company has built a reputation for resilience and strategic foresight.

We’ll also discuss WHSP’s bold investment moves, its role in shaping corporate Australia, and Robert’s insights on long-term investing and navigating economic uncertainty. We hope you enjoy 

If there is one thing that Australians have always loved, it is property. The Great Australian Dream is the desire for every Australian family to own their own home.

Owning your own home on your own block of land was a symbol of success. If you are lucky you may even manage to get yourself an investment property. However, the opportunities to invest in real estate are more expansive than they have ever been before.

In today’s podcast, we are joined by one of the best real estate minds in Australia, MA Financial Joint-CEO – Julian Biggins who oversees much of the MA Financial business but has built a particular name for himself in real estate.

On today’s podcast, we unpack with Julian:

- The rise of altnerative real estate investment opportunities and where MA Financial is seeing value for investors across various strategies such as pubs and marinas

- We discuss Australia’s current “housing crisis” and the variables that are contributing to the shortfall in supply & development activity

- We hear from Julian about the growth of MA Financial in his time since starting the firm alongside Chris Wyke

We hope you enjoy!

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious awards for achievements in scientific research and research-based innovation. The 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation was received by Professor Andrew F Wilks & Dr Chris Burns who are credited with the invention of momelotinib a drug to help treat myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer that impacts one in 100,000.

The path to momelotinib achieving US FDA approval was a long one. Today’s journey follows the journey of Andrew Wilks, a young boy from Liverpool born to a working-class family who through his own innate curiosity and obsession with science has seen first-hand the good of what significant public and private investment into solving some of the world’s most challenging problems can provide to society.

On today’s podcast, we share an insight into the formative experiences of one of Australia’s great scientific minds.

We hear about his leap into entrepreneurship or what he calls “the dark side”.

Finally, we hear about the launch and early success of SYNthesis BioVentures, Andrew’s venture capital fund providing Ultra High Net Worth Individuals with access to a portfolio of exciting early-stage opportunities.

We hope you enjoy!