In this episode of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Tim Bryan, CEO of Perich Group, for a conversation about leadership, family business, community and the future of South Western Sydney.

Tim shares his career journey from accounting and advisory through to becoming CEO of Perich Group, after spending more than a decade working with the Perich family as a trusted adviser.

Sean and Tim discuss the history of the Perich family business, its agricultural and dairy foundations, and the transition into property development and master-planned communities, including the growth of Oran Park.

The conversation also explores what it takes to work inside a family business, the importance of trust, local relationships, supporting community, building strong teams and making decisions with a long-term view.

Tim also shares his perspective on South Western Sydney’s future, including the opportunities created by the Western Sydney International Airport, the need for better infrastructure and the importance of creating places where people can live, work and build strong communities.

A grounded and insightful conversation about leadership, legacy, family business and building South Western Sydney for the long term.

In Episode 011 of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Dr Aniss Chami, CEO of Vitex Pharmaceuticals, for a powerful conversation about family, leadership, medicine, manufacturing and Western Sydney’s future.

Aniss shares his journey from studying medicine, pharmacy, business and finance through to stepping into the CEO role at Vitex Pharmaceuticals and helping lead the next stage of growth for the family business.

The conversation explores the values that shaped Aniss, the influence of his parents, the transition from founder-led business to the next generation, and the responsibility that comes with leading a major Australian pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Sean and Aniss also discuss why keeping pharmaceutical manufacturing onshore matters, the importance of Australian standards and sovereign capability, and the role Western Sydney can play in advanced manufacturing, logistics and global export.

A thoughtful and compelling conversation about business, family, leadership, resilience, Australian manufacturing and building a legacy that extends beyond one generation.

In this episode of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Ray Hanly for a practical conversation about leadership, business transformation and what it takes to build something that lasts.

Ray shares his career journey across the food industry, from operational leadership roles in the UK through to moving to Australia and helping shape a market that was still evolving.

The conversation explores leadership, resilience, long-term thinking, customer relationships, technology, automation and the importance of taking people on the journey through change.

Sean and Ray also discuss health and fitness, developing the next generation of talent, backing yourself when opportunities appear and the role Western Sydney’s people, diversity and workforce have played in the business and its success.

A grounded and insightful conversation about people, purpose, business growth and the discipline required to keep moving forward.

Episode 009 of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD is now live.

In this episode, I sat down with Abs Osseiran, The Western Sydney Office Managing Partner at Deloitte Australia.

Abs has had a fascinating career, from studying commerce and law, to building his career across Big Four professional services, spending a decade in London, and working with global organisations including Accenture, Cadbury, Sony and Lion before joining Deloitte.

What stood out to me in this conversation was the way Abs speaks about resilience, opportunity and authenticity.

He talks openly about losing his father at a young age, the strength and sacrifice of his mother, and the work ethic that shaped him early in life.

We also spoke about leadership, building credibility, learning from the people around you, and why leaders do not always need to have the answer straight away.

And, of course, we spoke about Western Sydney.

Abs brings a great perspective on the energy, diversity and ambition of the region, and why Western Sydney is not simply an extension of the CBD. It has its own business community, its own culture and its own momentum.

A great conversation about career, leadership, global experience and the future of Western Sydney.

🎧 Listen to Episode 009 now!

In this episode of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Kristal Kinsela, a proud Jawoyn and Wiradjuri woman, Western Sydney local and leading voice in Indigenous procurement, business and reconciliation.

Kristal shares her journey from growing up in Blacktown and Doonside to working across education, government, Indigenous business and supplier diversity.

The conversation explores identity, opportunity, the power of education and Kristal’s passion for helping organisations build stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Sean and Kristal also discuss Indigenous procurement, the impact of the Indigenous Procurement Policy, and why businesses need to move beyond compliance and tokenism if they want to create genuine value.

Kristal also speaks openly about personal adversity, including founding her own business during a difficult period in her life, the role of resilience, her Everest Base Camp fundraising challenge, and her breast cancer journey.

A powerful and honest conversation about business, purpose, community, reconciliation and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

In Episode 007 of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Anthony Boyd, CEO of Sydney Markets.

Anthony brings deep executive experience across property, infrastructure, investment, development and logistics, having spent more than two decades with Frasers Property before stepping into the CEO role at Sydney Markets.

The conversation explores Anthony’s transition from technical finance roles into broader leadership, including the importance of asking better questions, empowering experts, backing people around you and understanding that career progression is not always a straight upward path.

Sean and Anthony also discuss Sydney Markets, its history, its role in the fresh produce and logistics network, and the opportunities ahead as technology, AI, digital tools, infrastructure and Western Sydney’s growth shape the next chapter of the precinct.

A practical conversation about leadership, complex organisations, career growth and the systems helping move Sydney forward.

In Episode 006 of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Markus Preston, CEO of Preston Group.

Markus shares the story of growing up around the family business, starting on the workshop floor and eventually buying the company from his father before expanding it across Australia, New Zealand and North America.

The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, including growth, risk, difficult banking relationships, hiring mistakes, failed ventures and the responsibility that comes with supporting the livelihoods of a growing team.

Markus also reflects on the importance of resilience, trust, delegation and culture, along with the influence of his father, the support of his wife Marika and the lessons he continues to carry into leadership today.

A candid and practical conversation about business, family, resilience and building something that lasts.

In Episode 005 of The Westside Stories Podcast: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Helen Hamilton-James, Partner and Greater Western Sydney Market Lead at KPMG.

Helen shares her career journey from Scotland to London, Sydney and Papua New Guinea, and reflects on the opportunities, mentors and bold decisions that shaped her path.

The conversation explores the power of mentoring, the importance of backing women into leadership, and why leaders need to create space for people to grow, take risks and find their voice.

Sean and Helen also discuss the future of Western Sydney, from advanced manufacturing, defence, aerospace and health precincts through to the visitor economy, business growth and the need to create more local jobs across the region.

A grounded and inspiring conversation about career progression, leadership, opportunity and the future of Greater Western Sydney.

In Episode 004 of Westside Stories: Beyond the CBD, Sean Johnston sits down with Paul Plowman, Executive General Manager, Water & Environment Services at Sydney Water.

Paul shares his career journey from engineering graduate to executive leader, including the opportunities, risks and lessons that shaped his leadership approach.

The conversation also takes us behind the scenes at Sydney Water, exploring the essential infrastructure that supports Sydney’s growth, particularly across Western Sydney. From recycled water and stormwater harvesting to climate resilience, AI, automation and circular economy thinking, Paul gives a fascinating look at the systems most of us rely on every day, but rarely stop to think about.

This episode also explores leadership at scale, stakeholder relationships, the importance of listening, and why executive leadership is often less about being the expert in the room and more about drawing out the expertise of others.

A thoughtful and eye-opening conversation about growth, infrastructure, leadership and the people helping shape Sydney’s future.

In episode 003 of Westside Stories, Sean Johnston sits down with Martin O’Connell, Managing Director of ECORR, civil engineer, entrepreneur, and proud Western Sydney local.

Martin shares his journey from growing up in a working-class family in Western Sydney to building and scaling successful businesses across construction, sustainability, recycling, and property development.

The conversation explores the realities of business growth, leadership under pressure, lessons learned through adversity, and the future opportunities emerging across Western Sydney through infrastructure, transport, and the airport precinct.

Martin also opens up about the importance of mental health in the construction industry, resilience, family, and how his definition of success has evolved over time.

This episode covers:
 • Entrepreneurship and scaling businesses
 • Leadership and people management
 • Sustainability and circular economy initiatives
 • Western Sydney growth and infrastructure
 • Construction industry challenges
 • Mental health and resilience
 • Legacy, family, and contribution

A practical, honest, and insightful conversation with one of the people helping shape the future of Western Sydney.