Who is ICN Victoria

Tim Piper is the Victorian Head of the Australian Industry Group which represents a range of companies across a broad range of industry sectors in Australia. Tim is Chair of the Industry Capability Network in Victoria and sits on the Portable Long Service Leave Authority, CoInvest Board, GS1 Board, WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Council and Occupational Health & Safety Committee. He also sits on a number of Victorian Government committees covering many areas, including environmental matters, COVID19 recovery, the rail industry, skills development, and industrial issues. Tim has practised as a barrister and solicitor in Australia and the UK and worked as a journalist in television, radio and newspapers. He also has completed an MBA. Tim was honoured last year with the Member of the Order of Australia for his services to industry and manufacturing, to skills training and to multicultural youth. He has also been an Australia Day Ambassador and was the recipient of the Centenary Medal for services to the business community.

Ben is the Victorian Branch Secretary of The Australian Workers’ Union. Further, he has been the AWU Victorian Vice President since 2007. Ben has experience across a range of industries, especially through his 10 years as AWU’s Organiser for Victoria. Ben has a deep passion for major projects and by extension, the provision of opportunities to local SMEs through the Local Jobs First policy.

Tony became a Director of the ICN Victoria board in August 2018. Tony is the Victorian Branch State Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU). He has been involved in the manufacturing and construction industries for many years and is a long-time member of the AMWU. Tony is passionate about the Local Jobs First policy and supporting local manufacturing in Victoria.

Paul is an internationally experienced leader having held Managing Director/CEO and Chairman level roles across Australia and Asia Pacific, spanning several key industries. Paul was previously the Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), best known for producing the Royal Melbourne Show (attracting half a million people annually), world class food and beverage award programs and venue management and activation of the Melbourne Showgrounds. Prior to this Paul was Managing Director Asia Pacific for Optum International, a subsidiary of the United Health Group, one of the world’s leading providers of health services. Before joining Optum International, Paul was the Victorian State Director for Vodafone, and prior to this, he held an extensive 17-year career with Motorola finishing as the Director and Vice President for Motorola Asia Pacific. Paul holds an honours degree in electronic engineering from Swinburne University, a post graduate diploma in management with a major in marketing and has completed several short management courses in the USA. Paul is involved in several boards, not-for-profits, and start-ups. Paul is also an Australia Day Ambassador and a proud Victorian.

Alesha Printz is a Chartered Engineer and the General Manager, Victoria of Engineers Australia, Australia’s peak engineering association representing around 100,000 engineers. Alesha joined the ICN Victoria board in October 2018 and is also a board member at Engineers Without Borders Australia. She has an extensive industry experience based on a background in the delivery of major infrastructure projects for Victorian water authorities. One of the motivating factors to become a Director at ICN Victoria was the organisation’s role in supporting Victoria’s economy, specifically through connecting local SMEs to project opportunities. The subsequent capacity expansion and job creation is able to provide ripple effects for our local supply chain and the long-term sustainability of manufacturing. Alesha is also passionate about family and as mother of two young children is currently role modelling flexible work in practice.

With over 20 years on ICN Victoria’s board, Russell has an extensive history in the heavy resource engineering industry. As a professional mechanical engineer, Russell operated at one of the oldest Australian engineering companies, Jaques Limited. Another business Russell was involved at is Clyde Industries Limited, with export operations primarily to Asia, North and South America and South Africa. The focus on local content and strengthening our supply chain has been the core reason for Russell’s involvement with ICN Victoria for over two decades.

Dr Gillian Sparkes FAICD Gillian is Victoria’s Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, an independent statutory role that reports and advises the Victorian government on the environment and a non-executive director. Gillian has been a board member of ICN Victoria since 2014 and is also a board member of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Country Fire Authority, Chair of FrontierSI and Commissioner of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Board. An accomplished leader in complex stakeholder environments across multiple sectors, risks and settings, Gillian was initially an industrial chemist and later operations manager with BHP Steel and Brambles Cleanaway. After two decades working in industry, Gillian decided to pursue public service and as an establishing Centre Director for the Commonwealth Enterprise Connect Program from 2008-2010, was fortunate to experience first-hand the critical role of ICN in supporting industries and creating jobs. Gillian continues to be excited by the work of ICN and the opportunity to be a part of the highly skilled, experienced, and diverse ICN Victoria Board. Gillian was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours “for significant services to environmental sustainability, and to public administration.