Meet the team

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  Scott Briggs CEO

  Scott has more than 20 years’ experience in business, politics, investment and law. Scott leads a team with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
  Scott has an extensive background in law, politics, business and as an investment entrepreneur. A lawyer by profession, Scott commenced his legal career with leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills in the Major Projects and Banking & Finance practice group, working in syndicated financing of both government and private infrastructure projects. He left to join Malcolm Turnbull’s private investment firm Turnbull Pillemer Capital in 2003, which specialised in early stage expansion capital and new venture funding. Scott spent the next decade in the media sector where he specialised in commercial negotiation and new business setup. Scott has also funded a range of his own ventures, building a portfolio of successful private businesses.

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  Adrian Tripodina Executive Director

  Adrian Tripodina has close to 15 years’ experience in business, real estate, and venture capital. Having graduated with distinction in Commerce / Business Law, Adrian was recruited to run a Hospitality company in Brisbane, specializing in fresh food and liquor, before returning to Sydney to work for the family business, Tristate Produce, a wholesale enterprise at Flemington Markets, where he oversaw its growth to become a leading vertically integrated operation with farms, retail and wholesale serving Australia’s leading chains Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. Adrian then grew a company called Tristate Holdings (which was started by Santo Peter Tripodina as a small wholesaler of fresh produce) into a diversified private investment firm to deploy capital across a range of sectors including agriculture, real estate, infrastructure and venture funding to start-up enterprises focused on IT-based software solutions for industry and Government. As Executive director, Adrian’s role includes procuring finance through his close network of banking associates as well as delivering strategic industry partners on key projects.

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  Michael Kilham Director of Special Projects

  Michael has over 25 years experience in government, defence, border security, aviation and national security, specialising in strategic policy development, implementation and military planning and simulation. Michael was senior advisor to two Ministers for Immigration and Border Protection, as well as a senior advisor to the Minister for Defence.
  Michael has served for over 20 years in the Defence Force as an Air Force Aircrew Officer and has experience in operational planning, tasking and training. Previously the Chief Operating Officer of a charter airline and has held a management position within the Oil and Gas industry in provinces of Papua New Guinea, where geography and remoteness provide unique logistical challenges. Michael has well established networks and significant experience in development work throughout PNG and South East Asia.

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  Chris Fry Director of Government Relations

  Chris has 25 years experience in consulting, politics and both state and federal government. Commencing as a tax accountant Chris has extensive experience in public policy development including taxation, communications and media, financial services, energy and infrastructure. He has run a successful consulting business across a wide range of policy areas and has been involved with a number of other consulting and business advisory firms. He also has extensive experience working with the Senate on a wide variety of legislation for clients such as AMP, Telstra, WIB, KPMG, Lion Nathan, PBL Media, Nine Entertainment, Transurban.

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  Cormac Flannery CFO

  Cormac has more than 12 years’ finance, commercial and corporate management experience. He has extensive financial and economics expertise and has worked in senior management and executive roles in several industries. This included a role as Chief Financial Officer for a global crisis and emergency management company, where he was responsible for commercial feasibility, compliance and oversight for various projects in complex, remote and hostile environments. Cormac has been an advisor to multiple Boards, advising on project feasibility, compliance, strategic tendering and product development. Cormac’s main focus is identifying commercial risks and opportunities for green-field projects in emerging markets.

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  Nigel Johnston DIRECTOR OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES

  Nigel’s career spans across Private Equity and Chief Executive roles. Nigel held the position of CEO at United Resource Management a multinational environmental services business. Nigel gained his private equity experience in Australia and the UK. Most notable experience is Actis (the world’s largest emerging markets Private Equity Firm) and Accretion Investment Management (a later-stage and distressed private equity investments management company). Nigel’s particular expertise is in the area of waste management and waste to energy.

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  Darryl Hoffman Director of Strategy Government Affairs

  Darryl has had more than 15 years’ experience in a diverse range of roles spanning both the public and private sectors. He has worked in politics and, for more than 10 years, at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This included time spent living and working in Vanuatu, where he had responsibility for issues including aviation, trade, immigration and political developments. He has run his own consultancy business which assisted the development of Australian companies in the China market, along with providing the necessary cultural understanding required to operate successfully there. His six years living and studying in China, as well as his experience in the South Pacific, has enabled him to develop a unique understanding of some of Australia’s key strategic issues and an ability to foster significant working relationships across a diverse range of cultures.