As a mentor, Ross brings a diversity of experience acquired in different industries, geographies and cultures. He is inquisitive and open minded, provides strategic context, creates transparency and refines opportunities to help others realise their potential. Ross is motivated by the challenges of bringing together the people, organisations and resources required to promote and sustain progress.

Ross has extensive experience in the chemicals, manufacturing and services industries across Australia, Asia and Europe. His Senior Executive career included a variety of commercial, operational and business management roles. In Malaysia, Ross was founding Managing Director of BASF’s Asia Pacific Shared Service Centre, responsible for providing finance, HR and IT services to more than 10,000 employees at 60 companies in 16 Asian countries. From 2008 until his retirement in June 2016, he was Chairman and Managing Director of BASF Australia and New Zealand, where he designed and implemented a successful business transformation programme. He also led the local integration of four global acquisitions, driving operational synergies and cultural change while doubling revenues.

Today, he is Chair of Swinburne University’s Industry Research Advisory Committee, a member of the Governance Board of EPA Victoria, a non-executive director of Note Printing Australia Ltd and Kotzur Pty Ltd and independent Chair of Jupiter Ionics Pty Ltd. Among many previous roles, Ross was Deputy National President of the Australian Industry Group and a Member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Forum to COAG. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Ross has been married to Julie for 40 years; they have two adult sons and two granddaughters. He is a keen golfer, a follower of Rugby Union and has a range of interests in the arts, education, science and technology.