by cameron | Jan 31, 2007 | Melbourne, Melbourne's Leaders, Podcast
Today, in the next episode of my “Melbourne’s Leaders” series, my guest is Mr Brian Watson. Brian is the founder and Executive Chairman of Georgica Associates Pty Ltd, a private equity asset management and advisory firm in Melbourne. He was based in New York with J.P. Morgan from 1987-1999, as Global Head of Equity Underwriting from 1990-1995 and head of Global Private Equity Business from 1995-1999. He returned to Australia in 1999 and was Chairman of J.P. Morgan Australia from 1999 – 2000 and Managing Director of JP Morgan Partners (JPMP) Australia from 1999 – 2002. JPMP Australia invested across a broad spectrum of private equity opportunities in Australia.
He also sits on the board of the Australian Stem Cell Centre, was Chairman of the Government’s Venture Capital Industry Review, and was appointed to the Board of Guardians of the Federal Government’s Future Fund.
During our chat he talks about the motivations for excellence, attitudes towards setbacks and failure, the state of the Venture Capital industry in Australia, the purpose of the Future Fund, and the future of stem cell research.
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The G’Day World Theme Song is “Save Me†by The Napoleon Blown Aparts.
by cameron | Dec 14, 2006 | Melbourne, Melbourne's Leaders, Podcast
This is the second show in my series of interviews with Melbourne’s top business and government leaders that I’m calling “Melbourne’s Top Dogs“. On this show, I’m very fortunate to interview Simon McKeon, Executive Chairman of the Melbourne office of Macquarie Bank, aka “The Millionaire Factory”, Australia’s premier investment bank.
Simon is an inspiring bloke. Not only has he risen from humble beginnings at Dandenong East Primary School through to the top of Australia’s corporate ranks, he’s also a genuine social activist. Five years ago, at the age of 45, Simon went part-time at Macquarie Bank to focus more of his energy on other pursuits – such as his role as a Director of World Vision, Chairman of corporate social responsibility organisation Melbourne Cares, chairing the Australian Federal Government’s takeover panel and volunteering as a counselor to heroin addicts at a St Kilda clinic. Oh and he is also a world champion speed sailor.
During the interview we talked about his background, his motivations, how he handles criticism, and how important empathy is in his dealings with people.
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The G’Day World Theme Song is “Save Me†by The Napoleon Blown Aparts.
by cameron | Oct 3, 2006 | Melbourne, Melbourne's Leaders, Podcast
Today I’m kicking off a new series of shows that I’m calling ‘Melbourne’s Top Dogs’. I’m going to approach Melbourne’s leading business people and government leaders and try to discover a little bit about what makes them tick.
This first interview is with Mr Geoff Lord.
A quick bio:
After a business education at Melbourne universities, Geoff Lord joined Ford in the 1960s and moved to Elders in the 1970s, where he became a key lieutenant to John Elliott. In 1985, he formed Elders Resources and built it to a market capitalisation of $1.5 billion by acquiring assets such as forestry businesses in New Zealand. He is currently chairman of the Australian soccer club Melbourne Victory, Chairman of UXC Limited, Australia’s largest technology solutions company, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of his private investment vehicle Belgravia Group, and also sits on the board of many other companies.
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The G’Day World Theme Song is “Save Me†by The Napoleon Blown Aparts. Thanks to our sponsors Wardy IT and Direct TV!
