The Company We Keep

VECTOR Advisors

Welcome to The Company We Keep, a podcast powered by VECTOR Advisors, where we spotlight the people leading change and shaping the future across business, politics, sport and media. In each episode, we sit down with leaders, founders and decision-makers to explore the moments that defined them, the decisions that shaped their journeys, and the lessons learned along the way. At VECTOR, we believe our business is built on relationships — and this series reflects the calibre of people we’re privileged to work alongside. Expect candid conversations, real insights and the stories behind success.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Leading Agribusiness, WA's Grain Future & Becoming Curtin University Chancellor with David Lock

    David Lock has built one of Western Australia's most varied business careers from Coopers & Lybrand accountant to CEO of Craig Mostyn Group, MD & CEO of Mareterram Ltd, board roles at CBH and Harvest Road, and now Chancellor of Curtin University. In this episode of The Company We Keep, David joins host John Gardner as he unpacks the surprise phone call that led to the chancellorship, what 20+ years in agribusiness has taught him about family businesses and genuine leadership, and why Western Australia's grain industry is at a critical infrastructure crossroads after the live sheep export ban permanently reshaped the state's farming landscape. He also makes a compelling case for Australia's missed sustainable aviation fuel opportunity, offers a frank warning about the pitfalls of small, listed companies, and shares his three-ball theory for getting work-life balance right. Plus, the story of getting arrested in Panama while cycling through South America with a machete. David Lock: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlock1/ -------------------------------------- Key Takeaways: 20+ years in agribusiness comes down to one thing - the people. Work-life balance is three balls: self, family, and work. Don't drop any of them but know which one needs your focus right now. Grab opportunities even when they don't look like career moves. International experience doesn’t always advance the resume, but the personal growth is enormous. Small, listed companies are often driven by the market, not your values. Private structures give you far more freedom. -------------------------------------- Follow the Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oQlEYFk3Gud0HgPRaxgdM?si=176ef52b5a0f4972 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-company-we-keep/id1895814064 Website: https://vectoradvisors.au/ Connect with John Gardner: John Gardner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gardner-maicd-8ab3a519/ Vector Advisors: https://au.linkedin.com/company/vector-advisorsau -------------------------------------- Chapters: 0:00 Intro & preview 0:44 Introducing David Lock, new Chancellor of Curtin University 1:28 A holiday phone call & the unexpected condition: become chancellor 3:20 First official duties - graduation ceremony in Malaysia 4:56 Early career: Coopers & Lybrand, Westpac's bad bank & moving to Perth 9:32 20+ years in agribusiness & why the people keep him coming back 10:44 Craig Mostyn to Mareterram: a public listing that didn't go to plan 13:48 Australia's agribusiness outlook: grain growth, the sheep exit & infrastructure gaps 16:54 The canola-to-jet-fuel opportunity Australia is missing 19:18 Core values: building things, integrity and being nice to people 21:02 Caution: why small, listed companies drive you by the market, not your values 22:28 Cycling in South America, a machete arrest in Panama & the three-ball theory of work-life balance Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.podwavestudios.au The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

    30 min

  2. Jun 2

    Playing in the AFL, Pilbara Water Opportunities & Leading High-Performance Teams with James Clement

    James Clement has lived multiple careers in one lifetime, from a defender in the AFL, to a marine biologist, a finance professional, and now MD & CEO of Vysarn, a vertically integrated water services provider operating across the Pilbara and eastern Australia. In this episode of The Company We Keep, James joins host, John Gardner, as he unpacks how he spotted the water opportunity hidden inside the Pilbara's iron ore sector, what it really takes to build and lead high-performance teams (including how to handle your 'flawed geniuses'), and why he believes Australia's water security crisis demands urgent government action far beyond what's currently on the table. He also reflects on life lessons learned from AFL coach Mick Malthouse, the challenge of keeping financial markets patient while building long-horizon infrastructure, and why success for him has nothing to do with legacy or wealth. James Clement: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-clement-a71910112/ -------------------------------------- Key Takeaways: Your most brilliant people are often your most difficult, in sport and in business. Water security in Australia needs urgent, coordinated federal and state action. When managing markets, go quiet on the long plays and talk only about what's real and short-term. Groundwater in the Pilbara is finite and large-scale solar-powered desalination is the only realistic long-term answer. -------------------------------------- Follow the Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oQlEYFk3Gud0HgPRaxgdM?si=176ef52b5a0f4972 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-company-we-keep/id1895814064 Website: https://vectoradvisors.au/ Connect with John Gardner: John Gardner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gardner-maicd-8ab3a519/ Vector Advisors: https://au.linkedin.com/company/vector-advisorsau -------------------------------------- Chapters: (0:00) Intro & preview (0:34) Introducing James Clement, MD & CEO of Vysarn (1:02) From fishing to water: discovering the Pilbara opportunity (2:14) Vysarn's vertically integrated water services model explained (4:26) From AFL to marine biology to CEO: a career built on curiosity (5:16) Mentor Peter Hutchinson & the qualities that opened doors (6:54) Leadership: straight talking, high performance & flawed geniuses (9:48) The Collingwood Rat Pack & lessons from Mick Malthouse (12:06) Managing long-term water projects against short-term market pressure (14:20) Global uncertainty: what is keeping James awake right now (16:00) Australia's water security crisis & the case for desalination (20:14) Success, loyalty, friendship & advice to a younger James Clement Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.podwavestudios.au The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

    24 min

  3. May 19

    34 Years in the Media, Fake News & Finding Purpose with Georgie Gardner

    After 34 years at the forefront of Australian media from the Today Show to the Channel Nine evening news, Georgie Gardner speaks with host Sam Macpherson to reflect on a remarkable career, the stories that shaped her, and what comes next. In this episode of The Company We Keep, Georgie opens up about covering two of Australia's most devastating events: the Port Arthur massacre early on in her career and the Bondi shooting at its close. She shares what it was like to report both without and then amid the firehose of social media, and why she believes the line between misinformation and deliberate disinformation has never been more dangerous. Georgie also reveals the most charismatic people she's ever interviewed (the names will surprise you), why everyday people often make for the best television, and the real reason she chose to walk away from journalism at the peak of her career. Georgie Gardner: https://www.instagram.com/georgiegardner9/ -------------------------------------- Key Takeaways Failed acting auditions leading to a pathway in journalism Misinformation is accidental, disinformation is deliberate Embrace your mistakes and just be yourself -------------------------------------- Follow the Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oQlEYFk3Gud0HgPRaxgdM?si=176ef52b5a0f4972 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-company-we-keep/id1895814064 Website: https://vectoradvisors.au/ Connect with Sam Macpherson: Sam Macpherson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-macpherson-6ba11ba2/ Vector Advisors: https://au.linkedin.com/company/vector-advisorsau -------------------------------------- Chapters: (0:00) Preview (0:40) Introducing Georgie Gardner (1:00) From acting to radio to TV (2:54) Live TV, the Today Show & the roles that challenged her most (4:28) Career bookended by tragedy: Port Arthur to Bondi Beach (6:12) Today Show memories & entertaining interviews (7:02) The most charismatic people she's met (9:28) Has the 24-hour news cycle made audiences better or worse informed? (12:50) Misinformation vs. disinformation (14:28) Why Georgie stepped away from journalism after 34 years (19:04) Advice to her younger self & closing remarks Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.podwavestudios.au The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

    21 min

  4. May 6

    Relationships, Resilience & the Real Deals Behind WA Business | Peter Toll

    Peter Toll is the National Leader of Food & Agribusiness, Deal Advisory M&A Partner, and International Liaison Partner at BDO. In this inaugural episode of The Company We Keep, Peter joins host John to unpack what nearly 30 years in professional services has really taught him. From growing up on a Merino stud farm in Wagin to advising on some of WA's most significant private M&A transactions, Peter draws a direct line between country values such as hard work, community, and deep relationships. He shares his unfiltered take on the baby boomer wealth transfer that's quietly reshaping Australia's private business landscape, why most businesses aren't actually ready to sell (even when they think they are), and how the corporatisation of Australian agriculture is transforming the very sector he grew up in. Peter Toll: https://au.linkedin.com/in/peter-toll-80652b14 -------------------------------------- Key Takeaways Relationships are the foundation The baby boomer wealth transfer is real and accelerating Most businesses aren't buyer-ready Selling a business is emotional, not just transactional Say yes to the hard jobs. Success isn't the financial outcome -------------------------------------- Follow the Podcast: Website: https://vectoradvisors.au/ Connect with John Gardner: John Gardner: https://au.linkedin.com/in/john-gardner-maicd-8ab3a519 Vector Advisors: https://au.linkedin.com/company/vector-advisorsau -------------------------------------- Chapters (0:00) Relationships, community, and deal making (0:45) Welcome to The Company We Keep (1:00) Introducing Peter Toll | National Leader, Food & Agribusiness at BDO (1:25) What's kept Peter at BDO for nearly 30 years (2:15) The International Liaison role explained (2:55) Growing up on a Merino stud farm in Wagin (5:35) Community values and the power of rural relationships (8:00) Current deal activity and market sentiment (10:00) Sectors driving WA deal flow (10:35) The corporatisation of Australian agriculture (12:25) The changing face of rural communities (16:45) Advising private vs. publicly listed companies (17:45) The emotional psychology of selling a business (19:35) Preparing vendors for life after the deal (25:10) Advice to a younger Peter Toll Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podwave Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.podwavestudios.au The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

    27 min

  5. Trailer

    The Company We Keep

    "The Company We Keep" is a dedicated section on VECTOR Advisors' website that profiles a curated selection of notable individuals across business, politics, sport and media. The purpose is to celebrate the people VECTOR works alongside, strengthen relationships, and amplify the voices of those shaping their respective industries. At VECTOR, we pride ourselves on the strength of our relationships and this series is one way we celebrate the people we work alongside. We’ve taken this initiative to profile a select group of people.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Welcome to The Company We Keep, a podcast powered by VECTOR Advisors, where we spotlight the people leading change and shaping the future across business, politics, sport and media. In each episode, we sit down with leaders, founders and decision-makers to explore the moments that defined them, the decisions that shaped their journeys, and the lessons learned along the way. At VECTOR, we believe our business is built on relationships — and this series reflects the calibre of people we’re privileged to work alongside. Expect candid conversations, real insights and the stories behind success.

Information

  • Creator
    VECTOR Advisors
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © VECTOR Advisors
  • Show Website
    The Company We Keep

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