No Limitations Blenheim Partners

In Episode 137 of the No Limitations podcast Flight to Gold, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Hooker OAM, Founder and Director of iHi Projects. 
In this relaxed discussion, Steve takes us behind the scenes of the Olympic Games, uncovering the magic, myths and mastery behind the sporting spectacle. He reveals what it truly takes to deliver on a world stage, as he describes the “pressure cooker” of Beijing's Bird's Nest and the moment he clinched gold amidst an 80,000-strong crowd. Steve discusses his journey beyond the track, where he has taken significant strides in the corporate arena, bridging the gap between sports and business while championing community building and sustainable impact. Through it all, Steve discusses the importance of “having a crack” and provides his insights on the standout stars to watch in the Paris Olympic Games.
Steve remains one of only a handful of athletes to hold Olympic, World Championship, IAAF World Indoor Championship and IAAF Continental Cup titles simultaneously, after completing the winning set in the pole vault in 2010 and was the first Australian man to hold both the Olympic and World titles concurrently. Since retiring from competitive athletics, Steve has served as Chief Executive of Access Telehealth, Chief Executive Officer of Resimax Group, and Executive Director of the Australian Olympic Committee. Steve is currently a Director of Sport Australia Hall of Fame and Steve Hooker Sports.
 
Please note: This episode was recorded on 17 June 2024.
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In Episode 136 of the No Limitations podcast In Unexpected Places, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Robert Spurway, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GrainCorp Ltd. 
In an insightful discussion, Robert provides an in-depth assessment of the global agriculture market, which has withstood challenges such as adverse weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. Robert believes that there is cause for optimism as Australia is well placed to serve large markets in Southeast Asia and China, global demand for agriculture is outpacing supply, and Australian policymakers are placing greater importance on national biosecurity. Robert also proposes several initiatives by which GrainCorp Ltd can remain a market leader in the coming decades, including deploying its internal venture capital fund, improving rail networks, utilising data analytics, and adopting precision farming techniques.
Robert started his career as a chemical engineer in the New Zealand dairy industry, before moving to Australia and holding general management roles at Goodman Fielder. A move to private equity-owned Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen resulted in his appointment to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, a role he also held at Salad Fresh following their acquisition of Mrs Crocket’s. Thereafter, Robert joined New Zealand dairy business, Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, where he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, Global Operations. In March 2020, Robert was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GrainCorp Ltd.
Robert was the Chairman of Kotahi Logistics LP Ltd, Deputy Chairman of Prolesur S.A., and a Director of DFE Pharma GmbH & Co.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 June 2024.
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In Episode 135 of the No Limitations podcast Another Hole in the Ground, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Douglas Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Coronado Global Resources Inc.
In an enlightening discussion, Douglas offers a thorough analysis of the shifting market dynamics within the coal industry whilst underscoring the pivotal role of metallurgical coal in the global energy transition. Douglas critiques Australia's political inertia, lamenting its impact on the country’s global market positioning despite our abundant resources. He advocates that the nation needs to “shake loose” from its bureaucratic processes, emphasising the need for informed voting and proactive policymaking to leverage our resources effectively.
Douglas redefines mining beyond just “another hole in the ground”, highlighting the vast career opportunities and sense of community that is deeply rooted within the industry. Embracing instability, he outlines how he stays agile as a leader and the importance of lifting one’s head to look over the horizon.
Lastly, Douglas urges listeners not to lose sight of the magic in the moment whilst “challenging the next giant”.
Douglas joined Coronado in August 2021 as the Chief Operating Officer of Australia and was subsequently appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in May 2023. Prior to joining Coronado, Douglas was employed by CIMIC Group Ltd, where he held the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Thiess since 2017. Additionally, in the role of Mining and Mineral Processing Executive, Douglas was responsible for leading CIMIC Group’s operating company Sedgman. Douglas commenced his mining career at Gold Fields Ltd in South Africa, where he held various leadership roles during his tenure.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 12 June 2024
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In Episode 134 of the No Limitations podcast Ripe for Improvement, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Pat O’Sullivan, Chairman of three ASX-listed companies:
SiteMinder Ltd; TechnologyOne Ltd; and CAR Group Ltd. In a captivating discussion, Pat contends that Australia remains the lucky country with abundant prosperity, an irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit, and stable political leadership. He asserts that Australia is ready for a big-picture vision to galvanise the nation and ensure it succeeds in the decades ahead. Pat speaks at length about his executive role at Singtel Optus in a fast changing and intensely competitive environment, where he learned the importance of building an extensive network of close professional contacts. Pat also discusses his tenure at Nine Entertainment, sharing tales about a confronting interview with business and media tycoon, Kerry Packer, working alongside James Packer and Eddie McGuire, and dealing with private equity suitors.
Pat had a distinguished executive career, serving as Chief Financial Officer of Goodman Fielder New Zealand, Chief Financial Officer of Singtel Optus, and Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director of Nine Entertainment and PBL Media. Thereafter, Pat transitioned into a Board career, where he has been a Non-Executive Director of iiNet, Isentia, APN Outdoor, Marley Spoon and Afterpay. Pat was also the Chairman of Lux Group, LocalAgentFinder, and Healthengine, as well as Deputy Chairman of Calvary Health Care. He is currently the Chairman of the non-profit group Dreams2Live4.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 29 May 2024.
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In Episode 133 of the No Limitations podcast Running Towards Fire, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to Alexis George, Chief Executive Officer of AMP Ltd.
In a spirited discussion, Alexis reflects on her journey to the corner office of one of Australia's most well-known organisations. Born and raised in regional Australia, Alexis’s career in the competitive world of financial services has seen her traverse the globe, holding senior positions in the UK, Europe and Asia. Shortly after returning to Australian shores, she joined ANZ Bank and, within a few years, was leading its Wealth business before becoming the Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Alexis took on the task of leading one of Australia’s foundational companies, AMP, joining during some turbulent times and in the heart of the pandemic. With no one in the office, Alexis set about communicating her message and sharing her vision, mindful of the significant heritage and excited by the enormous possibilities. Establishing the team, she has embarked the business on a journey of transformation, instilling a culture of transparency, accountability, and customer centricity, paving the way for a future of innovation and growth.
Prior to becoming Chief Executive of AMP, Alexis was Group Executive, Wealth Australia before becoming Deputy Chief Executive Officer of ANZ. Alexis also spent ten years at ING Group in a number of senior roles, including Chief Executive Officer Czech Republic and Slovakia and Regional Chief Operating Officer of Asia. Alexis is also a Board Member of AMP Ltd, AMP Bank and the Financial Services Council.
 
Please note: this episode was recorded on 6 May 2024.
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In Episode 132 of the No Limitations podcast Australian First, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to the Director, Indigenous Forum at the Centre for Independent Studies, Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO.
In an inspiring discussion, Warren describes his start in life as one of eleven children in a poor household in regional New South Wales. His family then relocated to Sydney where he attended the local Catholic school. Despite leaving school early to work as a trolley boy and as a barman, Warren later completed his Higher School Certificate through night school. He then moved to Adelaide to study at the South Australian Institute of Technology, now called the University of South Australia
. A common thread throughout the conversation is Warren’s belief in the importance of education and its unrivalled ability to uplift the disadvantaged, whether Aboriginal or otherwise. Warren asserts that Australia is the greatest nation on earth, free from discrimination and institutionalised racism, and he expresses pride in his dual Aboriginal and Irish lineage.
Warren offers an appraisal of the Voice and the path forward for the nation. He also covers a range of engaging topics including four year federal parliamentary terms, nuclear power, and the defence of Israel. Lastly, Warren explains his disillusionment with the Labor Party and his decision to join the Liberal Party, referring to Robert Menzies’ founding vision of freedom, equality before the law, and prosperity.
Warren started his political career as an independent candidate for the city of Dubbo where he was the first Aboriginal person to serve on the council. He ran as a candidate for the Labor Party in the 1999 New South Wales election and as a candidate for the Senate in the 2001 Federal election. In 2006, Warren became President of the Labor Party and was the first Aboriginal Australian to serve as president of an Australian political party.
Later, Warren joined the Liberal Party and served as the Chairman of Tony Abbott’s and Malcolm Turnbull’s Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council. Warren is Chair of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and the Conservative Political Action Conference. Warren is also on the Boards of several business groups including Aura Energy Ltd, Fuse Minerals Ltd, and JobTrail. Warren frequently appears in the media and has published two books.
Please note: this episode was recorded on 16 April 2024.
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