In our view, organic growth is underpinned by a combination of fresh insights, creative ideas and the practical art of business building.

• Fresh insights come from a deep understanding of an industry ecosystem (the evolving dynamics of customers, competitors, suppliers and partners). Typically these insights come from assembling a detailed fact base and applying detailed analytics (a process which underpins most rigorous strategy deliberations).
• Great ideas not only reflect creative energies and intuition, they feed off new commercial and consumer insights. However value can only be created if an idea has impact. That is, it must translate to an innovative concept for creating a new market; solving an outstanding problem; delivering new product or service offerings; or facilitating value chain extensions or business model re-configurations.
• Business building involves “making it happen”. This is where inventiveness must be married with operational practicalities, organisational dynamics and commercial realities. Here it is important to link the human side of innovation (people’s skills, behaviours, motivations and attitudes) with the organisation’s processes and systems to spark and sustain a culture of insight, ideas and impact.

In keeping with this we have assembled a team of experienced practitioners who can synthesise the three core disciplines needed to drive a successful growth and innovation agenda.

John has developed broad commercial skills as an entrepreneur, strategy consultant, private equity executive and economic policy advisor. He has worked on operational, strategic, transaction and policy issues at a senior level in Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. He has also advised on growth and innovation issues in a diverse set of industries.

After being trained by PCEK/Boston Consulting Group, he built several successful businesses (from concept development, start-up and early stage growth, to consolidation and exit). Since selling his latest venture (Inglewood Farms, a vertically integrated organic chicken producer with an 80% market share and exclusive supply arrangements with Coles and Woolworths), John has developed a portfolio of interests.

He now spends his time working on major infrastructure projects in developing countries; advising clients in the mining and resources sector; and pursuing his interests in growth and innovation through the involvement with thinkGROWTH.

John has masters degrees from Cambridge and Yale and is making good progress towards a Masters of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.

As a serial entrepreneur, Tim has an outstanding grasp of the issues relating to growth, innovation and brand building. He is probably best known as the founder of Nudie Juice, a business he built from a standing start to a $20M turnover company with a well recognised brand, in just under 2 years.

He previously held a number of entrepreneurial executive roles. He was CEO of BTLookSmart (a JV with British Telecom); CEO of LookSmart Australia the listed internet directory company; General Manager Sales and Marketing in North America for Encyclopaedia Britannica (where he was responsible for developing Britannica Online and Britannica.com); CEO of Encyclopaedia Britannica in the UK and Australia; Marketing Director of Microsoft Network (msn) Australia; GM at Village Roadshow; and held general management and marketing roles with Lend Lease.

More recently he ran the Australian operations of ?Whatif! Innovations (25 consultants) and launched several innovative brands and businesses in the telecommunications, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and financial services sectors. He is also in demand on the public speaking circuit (where he draws on his own experience to talk about branding, marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship) and he appears as a regular guest on “Kochie’s Business Builders” (the 7 Network TV Show).

Tim is a chartered accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce; Master of Economics; and MBA.

Mike commenced his career as an army officer where he attained the rank of Major, managed 120 engineers and worked with NASA on a space shuttle mission.

After a brief stint in sales with Intergraph Corporation, Mike joined Accenture in Australia before transferring to London where he became a partner in their strategy practice in charge of 70 consultants and responsible for $100 million in revenue . In this role he became an expert in industrial marketing.

He moved to BOC Sydney where he managed the growth agenda (delivered a 30% increase in revenues) and had global responsibility for JV’s and acquisitions. He was subsequently appointed Chairman and CEO of OccCorp, a JV he transformed in the lead up to BOC increasing its stake to 100% shareholding.

Mike then spent 2 years as Executive General Manager of NRMA where he was responsible for strategy, business development, innovation and culture. He founded thinkGROWTH several years ago.

Mike has a Bachelor of Surveying (Hons), a Master of Business (Management & Economics) and a Master of Engineering Science.

David has a 20 year background as a Design Engineer with a global electronics manufacturer, a Regional Director of a global media and information service provider, and as a Strategy Consultant with Accenture.

More recently he has worked as a venture capitalist with board appointments to several technology start-ups. In these roles he was responsible for strategy, fund raising, IP development and managing the relationship with investors and regulators.

David has become an expert in technology innovation; he has worked in Australasia, US and Europe; advised healthcare, financial services and information based businesses; and helped put together a range of new ventures, alliances and business model innovations. He is currently a strategy advisor to the Black Dog Institute.

David has an honours degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from INSEAD.

Over 30 years David has worked as an engineer, management consultant and entrepreneur.

He has worked in a large Australian design consultancy and on major construction projects both in Australia and overseas. As an Associate Partner with Accenture, David advised firms on growth and strategy across a range of industrial, processing and manufacturing sectors.

David has also been co-founder and executive director of several start-up businesses including a successful manufacturing venture which he led from formation through to IPO and subsequent expansion to a multiple site operation.

More recently he has advised organisations on growth and innovation in the exploration, mining and mineral processing industries as well as new materials and nanotechnology.

David has an honours degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA from IMD.

Josh has a background in the design and delivery of innovative environmental initiatives. More recently he has worked with clients to help them develop the organisational capabilities needed to facilitate growth and innovation.

Josh's experience includes a number of years as a project manager and senior advisor in an industry-facing government group in New Zealand. Here, he produced innovative and complex, industry-led sustainability initiatives in the packaging, FMCG, waste management and design sectors.

Josh has also led and delivered management consulting services in the area of supply chain management, procurement and sustainability.

Josh is a qualified engineer (Senior Scholar, First Class Honours).