Corporate Knowledge, Philosophy and Strengths

My corporate and administrative experience has enabled me to be:-

• Effective, efficient and accountable in senior executive roles utilising a strong work ethic, sound judgement and decision making skills underpinned with the highest integrity.

• Successful in addressing complex business challenges through the development of corporate strategy and planning to maximise returns to stake holders and shareholders.

• Consistent in attaining objectives and desired outcomes through the development and implementation of strategic and business plans, and the effective and efficient management of the organisational team through decisive leadership, motivation and installing a culture of cooperation, accountability, openness, honesty and empathy.

• Financially focussed to ensure operational efficiency via the minimisation of costs and the strict adherence to the budgetary process in order to deliver optimal commercial outcomes on time and within budget.

• Manage and participate in high level operational initiatives including restructuring, project management, event and series management, programming and infrastructure design.

• Commercially astute with a consistent record of delivering results in sales, revenue, operational performance and profitability.

• Cognisant of the diverse interests and priorities of differing shareholder and stake holder groups and the importance of liaison, communication, cooperation and consultation in order to achieve objectives.

Professional Experience

2007 to Present

Managing Director - Thoroughbred Racing Bureau Pty Ltd

The Thoroughbred Racing Bureau Pty Ltd is a consulting and management company servicing the international thoroughbred horse racing industry.  The company was established by myself in 2000 and it provides strategic and business planning (and implementation), marketing, operational and racecourse design services. 

Major achievements include:-

• Designing a world class racecourse (and associated facilities) in the Philippines and providing the detail relating to the feasibility study and preliminary cost estimate (Budget US$200m).

• Designing a world class racecourse (and associated facilities) in Vietnam and providing the preliminary cost estimate and detail relating to the feasibility study (Budget US$50m).

• Successfully negotiating individual contracts for the company of up to A$500,000.

• The capacity to identify and acquire a diverse client base on three different continents and extensively throughout Asia.

Director - Ho Chi Minh City Consulting Pty Ltd

Ho Chi Minh City Consulting Pty Ltd is a company established to acquire “investment certificates” in relation to wagering and gaming opportunities in the Republic of Vietnam.  The company is in the final stages of being granted “investment certificates” by the Vietnam Government for a US$100m casino/resort and racetrack development in Binh Phuoc Province South Vietnam.

President/Chairman - Australian Jumping Racing Association

The Australian Jumping Racing Association is an incorporated body responsible for the promotion and growth of jumping racing at a national level throughout Australia.  The Australian Jumping Racing Association is a legislated stake holder in the Victorian racing industry.  The AJRA had liabilities in excess of A$150,000 and no assets.  Currently the Association has cash reserves in excess of A$50,000 and no liabilities.

2006 to 2007

Managing Director - Thoroughbred Racing Bureau Pty Ltd

President/Chairman - Australian Jumping Racing Association

General Manager (Operations) - Wadham Park Group and Woodside Park Stud

The Wadham Park Group (comprising Woodside Park Stud) is a major Australian racing and breeding operation with investments in the vicinity of A$100m. Between January 2006 and July 2007 my services were exclusively employed by the Group to perform the role of General Manager  (Operations) for both entities.  In these roles I was responsible for the management of all bloodstock interests (with a portfolio value in excess of A$15m), sales, strategic and business planning, marketing, HR related activities and assisting the Managing Director with all administrative and operational functions relating to the Group.  In addition, I formulated and implemented the Woodside Park Stud strategic and business plans with an infrastructure and bloodstock budget of A$20m.

2003 to 2006

Managing Director - Thoroughbred Racing Bureau Pty Ltd

President/Chairman - Australian Jumping Racing Association

2000 to 2003

Managing Director - Thoroughbred Racing Bureau Pty Ltd

1998 to 2000

General Manager (Racing) - Western Australian Turf Club

Between 1998 and 2000

I was employed in the position of General Manager (Racing) for the Western Australian Turf Club presiding over all racing matters at a club and WA industry level.  This role incorporated the management of a departmental and prizemoney budget in the vicinity of A$20m and 35 staff in the following business units - racing administration, programming, racing services, Westspeed Incentive Scheme, Handicapping, raceday operations (judging, starting, scales, on-course TV presentation), Apprentice School and international operations.  During my tenure in this role I delivered the following outcomes and performed the following roles:-

Management of Western Australia’s international racing operations which included the negotiation and implementation of the joint venture wagering arrangement with the Singapore Turf Club of simulcasting Perth races to Singapore for the purpose of wagering and the establishment of international pari-mutual transactions.

Facilitated the first and only ever international competition in WA races from overseas horses.

Conceptual design, strategic plan and implementation of the Westspeed Incentive Scheme (Racing WA’s equivalent of VOBIS/Super VOBIS) delivering industry bonuses in the vicinity of A$1m.

Introduced 5 new race series/feature events for Western Australian racing.

• Deputy Executive Member for Western Australia - Australian Racing Board.

• Delegate for Western Australia - Australian Group & Listed Races Advisory Group - Australian Racing Board.

• Delegate for Western Australia - National Racing Managers Advisory Group - Australian Racing Board.

• Member - Racing WA Apprentice Training Advisory Group.

• Chairman - Racing WA Westspeed Incentive Scheme Advisory Group.

• Member - Racing WA International Racing Committee.

• Executive Officer - Racing WA Thoroughbred Racing Industry Council.

• Member of the senior executive team responsible for the planning and management of the WATC Summer Racing Carnival./3

1995 to 1998

Racing Manager (Industry) - Racing Victoria Limited/Victoria Racing Club

Prior to 2002 the Victoria Racing Club performed the dual function of administering club (VRC) and industry (Racing Victoria Limited) administrations and possessed Principal Club status from an Australian racing industry perspective.

In this role I was deputy to the General Manager (Racing) whose portfolio comprised racing administration, race programming, Super VOBIS, Australian Triple Crown, handicapping, Inside Racing magazine and international operations.  During my tenure in this position I delivered the following outcomes and performed the following roles:-

• Participation in the formulation and implementation of the RVL Business Plan Leadership 2000 (specifically devising the race programming strategy delivering a projected annual impact of A$8.5m).

• Executive Officer and Committee member of the RVL international racing office responsible for the development of RVL’s inaugural international strategic and marketing plans for the “racing” internationalisation of the Melbourne Cup and Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

• Implementation of the A$6m Australian Triple Crown Series incorporating the development of the conceptual design, strategic and marketing plans and their implementation (this included the management of a A$200,000 marketing budget which achieved budgeted income in excess of A$2m).

• Introduced 6 new race series for Victorian racing.

• Delegate for Victoria - National Racing Managers Advisory Group - Australian Racing Board.

• Executive Officer - Australian Group & Listed Races Advisory Group - Australian Racing Board.

• Executive Officer - Racing Victoria Limited International Racing Committee.

• Member - Racing Victoria Limited International Racing Committee.

• Executive Officer - Racing Victoria Limited Night Racing Working Party.

• Chairman - Victorian Race Programming Review Panel.

• Coordinated the 1995 review into jumping racing, writing the report, contributing to the strategy and was assigned the responsibility for the implementation of the initiatives detailed in the report.     

• Devised and implemented the strategic plan for the improvement of race programming in Victoria.

• Assisted the Chief Executive Officer in respect of the Pay Television strategy for Victorian racing.

Media

A print and DVD portfolio is available detailing extensive dealings with the print and electronic media over an extended period of time.

Education

1997 to 1998

Investment In Excellence Programme (The Pacific Institute).

Founded in 1971 in Seattle USA, The Pacific Institute is an international corporation specialising in performance improvement and professional growth, change management and leadership development.

1993 to 1998

Successfully completed the following selective tertiary business studies on a part time basis during this period at Monash University (Vic), Curtin University (WA) and Charles Sturt University (NSW):-

Accounting (Accounting For Financial Decision Making, Accounting Systems & Procedures, Auditing), Law (Commercial Law), Management (International Management, Introduction To Management, Organisational Behaviour, Organisational Change, Research Methods For Management & Marketing, Sales Management), Marketing (Buyer Behaviour, Integrated Marketing, International Marketing, Marketing Theory & Practice).

1997

Negotiation Skills Course (RVL Training & Education Centre).

The Racing Victoria Limited Training & Education Centre is a registered training organisation that delivers nationally accredited courses.

Personal Information

• Date of Birth - 25 December 1965.

• Married to Catherine (1991) with five children (Ashleigh, Maddison, Alexander, Millicent and Charlton).

• Interests – Horse racing, fishing, tennis (Member Chadstone Tennis Club), golf, Collingwood Football Club (Member 1662) and Hampton Rovers Football Club (Junior Coach).