Angus Kennard over the last 24 years has been a key driver in the rapid growth and development of his 3rd generation family business Kennards Hire. Kennards started in Bathurst in 1948 and has now around 185 branches and 1700 people across Australia and New Zealand. As CEO he has passionately led the business and prioritised the importance of people and culture as key drivers of engagement and performance for Kennards. For this, he became recognised in Great Place To Work as 7th best employer in Australia and 6th in New Zealand (over 1000 people). Engaged people translated to engaged customers improving customer NPS score from 50 to 67 (>60=Outstanding). Angus has been a passionate innovator and entrepreneur starting the Concrete Care specialist business within the Kennards group of which specialist businesses now account for around a 3rd of total revenue. He transformed, through digitisation, the business with the implementation of Easytrak™ telemetry platform. His entrepreneurial spirit of his grandfather continues, as a start-up into his new venture, Inauro. Angus has been in an FBA forum group for nearly 20 years and is a passionate supporter of families in business. He is a keen rally driver, a GAICD, holds a B.Bus, an EMBA from the University of Sydney and won EY Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2019 in the Sustained Excellence category. Kennards Hire was inducted into the FBA Hall Of Fame in 2014 and is a founding member of FBNZ.Angus Kennard over the last 24 years has been a key driver in the rapid growth and de... Show MoreShow Less

Catherine Sayer joined Family Business Association as the CEO in August 2023. She is the previous Chief Executive Officer of Food South Australia Inc. with a team in Adelaide, Japan and China, developing and delivering programs across areas of market development, capacity and capability building and advocacy for the food and beverage industry. Catherine has been recognised as the key representative as the voice of industry to government and has strong stakeholder engagement skills. Catherine graduated with a degree in Business Management, majoring in Marketing and is a member and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has worked with organisations across a number of sectors, both private and public.Catherine Sayer joined Family Business Association as the CEO in August 2023. She is ... Show MoreShow Less

Sara Pantaleo drove the growth of La Porchetta from only 12 outlets when she joined the company in 1996, into the largest, licensed, a-la-carte restaurant franchise in Australasia today, with over 70 in the group. She achieved this by building corporate systems and processes that enabled the company to expand without compromising its core family values and culture. With the right elements firmly in place, Sara went on to introduce key structural and service innovations that positioned La Porchetta for continued strong growth. Sara is passionate about franchising as a business model. She is a member of the national Board of Directors of the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA). This is the peak body for the franchising sector and represents franchisees, franchisors and service providers. Of 12 Board positions, five, including Sara’s are appointed by direct election from the membership. Sara was national Franchise Woman of the Year 2010 and she a Victorian finalist in the 2012 Telstra Business Woman of the Year award.Sara Pantaleo drove the growth of La Porchetta from only 12 outlets when she joined t... Show MoreShow Less

Brett is the Group General Manager of the Miller Dental Group (MDG), a first generation healthcare group established in 2008 which has since grown to become the largest private dental group in Australia. The MDG currently provides more than 1% of South Australia’s dental needs through its network of more than a dozen traditional dental clinics, operates the largest dental outreach operation in Southern Australia (alone treating more than 10,000 patients per annum), and is an national leader in the provision of oral healthcare services. Brett’s qualifications include a Bachelor & Honours Degree in Science (Univ. Adelaide), MBA (Univ. Adelaide), Diploma of Project Management and Six Sigma Green Belt amongst others. Aside from his day job he is also the SA/NT President of AAPM, a proud father (& husband), and was recognised as the Australian Practice Manager of the Year (2017).Brett is the Group General Manager of the Miller Dental Group (MDG), a first generati... Show MoreShow Less

Allan Colless is Managing Director of Colless Young, an Australian family business with an international logistics focus. Colless Young has assisted it's many family business clients with their international freight forwarding, logistics and customs brokerage needs for decades, with the company celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2020. Some of these family businesses are still with us after first working with Allan's father, Derek, in the early 1970's, even before he started the business. A Second Generation member of the company, Allan had his start at Colless Young while still a teenager, working school holidays and then throughout his bachelor degree. After several years working in the business full-time, he recommenced his studies to gain his Masters; a period that included overseas study in Mainland China and Taiwan on scholarship. Since taking the helm, Allan has guided expansion of the company interstate and, more recently, overseas with the establishment of a joint venture office in Bali. Already proficient in conversational Mandarin, Allan is now also learning the Indonesian language. Colless Young was built on integrity and family values and Allan brings these qualities to the FBA, as well as a desire to help build and develop others, especially other family businesses.Allan Colless is Managing Director of Colless Young, an Australian family business wi... Show MoreShow Less

Ken is the founding Partner and Managing Director of Matthews Steer Accountants & Advisors. Ken is passionate about business transformational change and supporting businesses and entrepreneurs to maximise their financial and strategic direction. Ken chairs numerous Business Advisory Committees for family businesses advising clients on corporate governance, risk management, strategic planning, financial management, succession planning and M&A. Ken holds fellowship with the Institute of Chartered Accountants & the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His previous board and committee experience include Navy Health, Mercy Palliative Care Hospice, Work Solutions Group Ltd (Telstra & Australian Government small business of the year), Entrepreneurs Organisation and WREDO (Western Region Economic Development Organisation). Ken has been an advocate & Specialist Accredited Advisor of FBA since 2012. Ken is honoured to join the FBA Board and chair the Audit, Finance & Risk Committee.Ken is the founding Partner and Managing Director of Matthews Steer Accountants & Adv... Show MoreShow Less

Lea has over 30 years experience working with large family businesses in leadership roles including her own Family Office. Her areas of specialty include business investments, family office, succession, governance, diversity & inclusion and philanthropy. Her passion for family business has provided the opportunity to work with families across the globe and she is a member of a number of international thought leadership groups focused on family enterprises. Lea facilitates the FBANZ Women in Family Business Forum Groups. She is a champion for gender diversity, is committed to supporting the next generation of family enterprise leaders and is active in the anthropological studies of generational family relationships. A long-term supporter of Family Business Australia as a family business member, Lea has also served on the Vic/Tas Committee and as an FBANZ Ambassador.Lea has over 30 years experience working with large family businesses in leadership r... Show MoreShow Less

Kym is tasked with the establishment and management of the Family Office for his family; and his scope of responsibilities have taken him all over to world meeting and learning from multi-generational families so that he can bring home best practices. With a keen interest in entrepreneurship, the tools of entrepreneurship, and leadership, Kym has an insatiable curiosity on the application of the tools of entrepreneurship and the principles of leadership in the business, the self, the family and the community, and the positive and lasting impact this can have. Prior to this, on the encouragement of his family to establish and grow his own enterprise, Kym founded WeTeachMe, home to Australia's best and most popular classes and workshops.Kym is tasked with the establishment and management of the Family Office for his fami... Show MoreShow Less

Quin founded the family owned and operated business, Scalzo Food Industries (SFI), in 1977. Today, SFI is one of Australia’s largest privately owned food ingredients supplier, with offices and warehouses in most major Australian cities including Auckland, New Zealand. Quin is a dedicated Rotarian and is the past President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Australia’s first Rotary Club. Quin is a past Chairman of the Food and Beverage Importers Association and has been a Forum Member of the FBA for over 20 years and is still in the original first Melbourne organised Forum. He was made an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) in the Australia Day Honours, 2018 for his services in the food industry and for his charity work.Quin founded the family owned and operated business, Scalzo Food Industries (SFI), in... Show MoreShow Less

Steve was an executive director of the Lionel Samson Sadleirs Group, recognised as the oldest family business in Australia. After a career in Civil Engineering Steve joined the family business in 1985 and was closely involved in the executive since that time. He has been instrumental in the governance journey of the organisation. He has worked with FBA academics with research and subsequent presentation to IFERA as part of their 2012 International conference in Bordeaux. Steve fulfilled the role of Chairman of the WA Chapter over a 5 year term up to 2011 and served as FBA National Chairman for 3 years from 2013-2016. He was awarded the Chairman’s Award and Life Membership of FBA in 2017 for his commitment to the principles of family business best practice and strong leadership in the development of FBA's objectives.Steve was an executive director of the Lionel Samson Sadleirs Group, recognised as th... Show MoreShow Less

Angela is the founding Director of her family business C-Direct Pty Ltd, a member of FBA since 1996 and a member of the original FBA forum group since 1997. Following a career in the public and private sectors Angela purchased the original retail business in February 1978. Husband Peter joined the business in 1979 and today C-Direct Pty Ltd employs 20 people including 5 family members. The company was awarded FBA 1st Generation National Award in 2007. C-Direct is now in transition and Angela designates her role as Coach to the Emerging Generation. Angela served on the FBA Victorian State Committee as State Chair and National Board Director from 2010 to 2016. Angela now is a business mentor for Small Business Mentoring Service and an Accredited Executive Coach.Angela is the founding Director of her family business C-Direct Pty Ltd, a member of ... Show MoreShow Less

Garry Beard is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of A.H. Beard, Australia’s oldest bedding manufacturer, which celebrates its 120th year in 2019. Garry joined the family business in 1976, when it consisted of just one small manufacturing facility in Sans Souci, NSW. A.H. Beard has since expanded to seven sites around Australia and New Zealand, and proudly exports quality Australian Made mattresses to China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and South Korea. Garry represents the fourth generation of the Beard family, with the fifth generation also working in the business. A member since 1999, A.H. Beard was inducted into the FBA Hall of Fame in 2012 and in 2018, Garry was awarded the FBA Chairman’s Award. He has also been in a Forum Group consistently from 2004 onwards. Garry was on the FBA NSW Committee from 2012 – 2017 where he was Chairman for the last 3 of those years, and has shared his learnings and experience at many FBA National conferences.Garry Beard is the Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of A.H. Beard, Austral... Show MoreShow Less

Lowen is the principal of Peartree Brand Strategy, a consultancy that specialises in brand development, marketing and communication. Her experience in family business began when advising family owned wine companies with their marketing and forming an appreciation that ownership and family elements need careful consideration when dealing with the business issues. Lowen facilitates family meetings where agreed strategies and protocols are developed for a number of family business aspects including family councils and family charters. Following a substantial career in television journalism, she moved into marketing and communication in 1985. She established her own business, Peartree Marketing, in 1996. Lowen holds a Degree in Education from Flinders University, an MBA and a Graduate Diploma in Wine Marketing from the University of South Australia and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.Lowen is the principal of Peartree Brand Strategy, a consultancy that specialises in ... Show MoreShow Less

As a specialist in family business dynamics and continuity, Lucio has a broad experience in understanding the ground rules for family-in-business leadership succession and how to identify and develop potential successors that enable family business longevity. Lucio developed and was the principal presenter of 3 FBA’s National Education Programs: Family Business Directors’ Course; Strategic Planning Course; and Leadership Transition Course. Lucio has taught family business at the Monash and RMIT Universities and is the co-author of a book entitled Family Business Succession Planning: A 10 Step Guide.As a specialist in family business dynamics and continuity, Lucio has a broad experie... Show MoreShow Less

Kennards Hire was commenced in 1948 by Andy’s father Wally. Born in 1942 Andy joined the business in 1964 from when it has grown from 1 store to be Australia’s largest family owned hire business with over 170 outlets nationally and in New Zealand. Andy ensured succession when he stepped down from the CEO role in 1995, from Chairman of the board in 2001 and from the board in 2007. His eldest son Angus became the CEO in 2016, and daughter Kirsty is the 3rd generation family member on the board. Andy became a life member of the Hire and Rental Industry of Australia in 2002 and was the first non-American to be inducted into the American Rental Association Hall of Fame in 2003. He was the Chairman of FBA from 2012 – 2014 and was awarded Life Membership of FBA in 2018 for his long standing service and contributionKennards Hire was commenced in 1948 by Andy’s father Wally. Born in 1942 Andy joined ... Show MoreShow Less