Corporate Structure

Board of Directors  

John Fox – Executive Chairman

John has had over twenty years experience with both large corporations and start-up ventures such as NRMA, Computer Resources and Asia-Pacific Technology Marketing.  He is a corporate consultant specialising in strategies and business development.  Since 1987, he has worked in this capacity with leading organisations including AWA, Macquarie Bank, and Sabco Australia.  John is currently Chairman of Directors of The Reject Shop Pty Ltd and is a Director of Neverfail Ltd and Super Alloy Technologies Pty Ltd.

 

Leon Fink – Non Executive Director

After retiring as a solicitor in 1960, Leon embarked on a property and hotel development career spanning 35 years.  It included development of over 100,000 m2 of new office towers including Victorian headquarters for IBM and the Head Office of Australian Federal Police in Sydney, and expansion of the Southern Cross Hotel Group to over 900 rooms.  Over the last twenty years, he has developed, owned and operated a range of theatrical and entertainment elements of Sydney cultural life and was a founding shareholder in Australia’s first Entertainment Centre in Perth.  He was a co-founder of and is currently a substantial shareholder in the listed Cypress Lakes Group Limited. In 1996, he sponsored and led the successful application to win exclusive rights to the Australian International Garden Festival – the horticultural equivalent of the Olympic Games.  This interest focussed him on the needs and opportunities and dangers of the green environment and the decision to embark on a major investment in this area.

 

Ian Ferrier – Non Executive Director

Ian is a senior partner of Ferrier Hodgson, Australia’s largest firm of reconstruction accountants.  Other directorships include the Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd (Deputy Chairman), Port Douglas Reef Resorts (Chairman) Tourism Assets Holdings Ltd (Chairman), SCIA Holdings Pty Ltd (Chairman), directorships of Brian McGuigan Wines Limited, Essendon Airport Ltd and others.  As a senior partner of Ferrier Hodgson, Ian Ferrier has gained vast experience in numerous commercial fields.

 

James Yonge AM – Non executive Director

James is a New Zealand resident with farming and property development interests.  He was previously Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Bank of Australia Group, Member of the NSW Commission of Audit 1988, Chairman of the Garvan Foundation, Director of the Garvan Institute for Medical Research and Chairman of the Maritime Services Board of New South Wales.

 

Management

Shaun Ankers – Manager - International Systems Sales

Shaun has recently joined Vermitech as part of its expansion in sales of systems to Australia and international markets. With a BSc in Applied Chemistry and 10 years operations and sales experience in municipal and industrial water and waste treatment, he is well qualified to understand the issues facing Vermitech’s clients and the benefits that vermiculture can provide communities committed to Ecologically Sustainable Development.

 

Paul Patten – Manager - BioVerm Sales and Research

Paul holds qualifications in Marketing Management and is responsible for sales, marketing and development of the BioVerm™ product. Paul’s background encompasses more than 25 years experience within the Australasian agricultural industry. Throughout his career Paul has primarily worked in sales, marketing, business development and management roles. Paul has held positions as Manager - Australian Operations for Wrightson Seeds Australia, National Sales and Marketing Manager for Wrightson Seeds Australia and National Sales Manager for Paton Fertilizers. Paul has been with Vermitech for three years and is well qualified to assist the company’s development of the BioVermTM business.

 

Isaac Tsui - Research Officer

Isaac holds a B.Eng and M.Eng (Thesis) in Chemical Engineering from UNSW. He is also a member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia (MIEAust) and associate member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, United Kingdom (AMIChemE). Prior to joining Vermitech in 1999, he worked during his studies as a research assistant for Professor Rose Amal, carrying out third party research projects for the UNSW's Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies clients. At Vermitech, Isaac is concerned with the day-to-day business of operating the R&D facilities including machinery operations, liaison with suppliers, sampling and testing, data analysis and reporting as well as management (work planning, training and supervision) of on-site staff.

 

Simon Tratt – Operations

Simon is the Operations Manager, having joined Vermitech in October 2000.  Simon holds a degree in Business and Land Economy, Associate Diploma in Personnel Management, Graduate Certificate in Engineering, and is completing a Diploma of Environmental Management. Prior to joining Vermitech, Simon served as an Australian Army Officer in the Corps of Engineers.  Simon has responsibility for the operation of Vermitech’s installed plants and the development of the significant intellectual property that results from these operations.

 

Andrew Huntington – Financial Controller & Company Secretary

Andrew worked in professional accounting practices both in Australia and overseas for a period of 12 years. His experience ranged from listed multinational companies to smaller enterprises providing audit, corporate advisory and taxation services to a wide client base. Before joining Vermitech, Andrew was Senior Financial Analyst (Australia/New Zealand) for Otis Elevators and has consulted to other businesses since that time. He holds tertiary qualifications in Accounting / Finance and post graduate qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Securities Institute of Australia. He has worked for Vermitech since November 2002.

 

Marc Percival – Technical Sales Representative (Certified Soil Foodweb Advisor)

Mr Percival brings 25 years of experience in all aspects of horticulture to the company.  Marc has an Associate Diploma in Horticulture from Ryde School of Horticulture majoring in Nursery Production and Horticultural Food Crop Production. He is also a Certified Soil Foodweb Advisor. His experience ranges through agricultural inspection, landscape gardening, garden advisory work with the New South Wales Department of Agriculture, the last nine years primarily focusing on plant nutrition with fertiliser companies such as Paton Fertilisers and Hi-Fert in
horticultural crops.

 

David McGilvray – Financial Planning and Business Analyst

David assists Vermitech with strategic and financial analysis and planning. He is currently employed as a consultant and has worked closely with the Chairman for several years.