Connecting Industry

Richard Austin is the CEO of Omnii, Australasia’s leading fire safety and protection professional services firm. With a team of engineering experts behind him, Richard leads the strategic direction of the business, delivering high-performance solutions in Fire Engineering, Fire Protection, Compliance, and Special Hazards. His mission? Safeguarding people and places through smarter, safer design.
Richard brings a wealth of experience to the conversation, with a background spanning financial services, supply chain, insurance, media, and more. From digital innovation to change management, he’s built a reputation as a transformative leader, passionate about continuous learning, people development and creating real impact across industries.

Matt Jones is the General Manager at Homeground Villages in Gladstone, Queensland. With a strong background in construction, operations, and workforce accommodation, Matt brings a practical and people-first approach to managing one of the region’s most essential accommodation facilities. At the helm of Homeground Villages, Matt oversees the delivery of high-quality accommodation and services for major project workforces, ensuring comfort, efficiency, and community connection for workers far from home. Representing Decmil, Matt plays a key role in supporting Gladstone’s ongoing industrial and infrastructure development by helping project teams feel well-supported because when people are looked after, projects succeed.

Maria Baker is the ACCIONA Energia Queensland State Lead for Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Engineering, and Construction. With a diverse background spanning business, local government, the energy industry, and relationship management, she embarked on her renewable journey in 2020 with the Macintyre Wind Farm Project. Her passion for sustainable energy has driven her career, and as Queensland’s Lead Stakeholder Engagement for ACCIONA Energia, Maria plays a crucial role in guiding projects through every phase - from development to construction and operation. Her expertise and commitment to building positive relationships have been instrumental in driving the success of numerous renewable energy initiatives.

Simon Lever is the Managing Director of CROSS Asia Pacific. CROSS Asia Pacific provides expert consultancy services in Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ), risk management, business strategy, and project management, helping organisations across various industries enhance safety, compliance, and operational effectiveness throughout the Australia-Asia Pacific region.
With over 26 years of experience as an HSEQ practitioner, Simon is a strategic leader and safety professional committed to delivering exceptional results and fostering sustainable growth in competitive industries. Simon’s expertise lies in business expansion, operational effectiveness, and driving innovation, always with a strong focus on clients, people, and safety.

Tony Martins is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of Australian Training Works Group, where he has dedicated himself to building pathways for skills development and workforce readiness. A highly respected leader and innovator across multiple industries, Tony also serves as Director of the First Nations Greentime Energy Group, championing renewable energy solutions that empower Indigenous communities and promote sustainable development. With a passion for fostering local opportunities, sustainability, and collaboration, Tony brings a wealth of experience and a visionary outlook to every project he undertakes.

Kris Cotter is the Managing Director of Synergy Safety Solutions. Synergy Safety Solutions is dedicated to helping businesses navigate their unique safety challenges with tailored, practical solutions to create safer workplaces, fostering confidence and compliance while supporting a strong safety culture.
Kris is a passionate health and safety professional with a remarkable journey that began in the construction industry. As a single parent raising five children, Kris transitioned to a safety career after surviving a near-fatal incident, inspiring a deep commitment to creating safer workplaces and thrives on connecting with people, sharing knowledge, and positively impacting the community.

Ilaria Giovannetti is the Strategic Sales Manager for Renewable Energy at Rohlig Logistics. With a focus on tailored supply chain solutions, Rohlig Logistics has been at the forefront of the industry for 172 years globally and 51 years in Australia, offering expertise in air freight, sea freight, customs, projects, and contract logistics. Ilaria brings 18 years of global logistics experience to her role and with her passion for renewable energy beginning eight years ago when she managed her first solar farm project in Australia, she has since overseen logistics for 22 solar projects, delivering over 1 GW of materials across the country. Her expertise lies in ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with a strong emphasis on safety and stakeholder satisfaction. 

Michael Myer is the Executive Chairperson of Sunshine Hydro. Sunshine Hydro are developing a Superhybrid Project in Queensland, a pumped hydro with green hydrogen project being developed in three stages. Sunshine Hydro's vision is to play a key role in decarbonising the planet using technology and have re-imagined long duration energy storage projects to deliver 24/7 carbon free energy. Michael is a serial entrepreneur with venture capital experience in start-up ventures and sustainable development. He has a passionate interest in bringing engineering and economic resources to projects to support our social and environmental challenges.

On this week’s Connecting Industry Podcast we have Dan Whitmore, Business Development & Strategy Manager Eastern for Decmil. Decmil has supported and constructed some of Australia’s major iconic infrastructure projects across Australia. Decmil provide design, engineering and construction services for the infrastructure, resources, and energy sectors and provide residential, industrial, and commercial construction.
Dan is an industry professional who has industry experience across both the mechanical and civil sectors across Australia. Dan believes the right network will connect you to the right people and has developed a network of becoming, in his words, “the go to guy for project updates and pressing the flesh at an industry event”.  Dan credits his success to persistency and integrity and has a genuine desire to do everything in his power to help Decmil achieve their growth ambitions.

Gavin Loyden is the Founder and Managing Director of QEM Limited. Gavin is responsible for QEM’s capitalisation, exploration program and development of QEM’s Julie Creek vanadium and oil shale project.
QEM Limited is a publicly listed company focused on the exploration and development of its flagship Julia Creek Project, covering 250km² in the Julia Creek area of North Western Queensland. The Julia Creek vanadium and oil shale project is a unique world class resource with the potential to utilise and deliver innovative and sustainable energy solutions, through the production of energy fuels and vanadium pentoxide.
Prior to founding QEM, Gavin assisted a range of companies from early stage development through to international stock market listings. He has over a decade of experience in the mining industry and extensive experience in the structuring of capital raising proposals for both private and public companies, executive selection, and Corporate Governance.