Meet the Leadership Team →
Jim Varghese AM Chair, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct | Chairman, The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd
Jim Varghese AM Chair, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct | Chairman, The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd
Jim Varghese AM Chair, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct | Chairman, The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd
Jim Varghese AM is Chair of the Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct and Chairman of The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd, which he has led since 2012. He spent a decade as Director-General of four Queensland Government departments: Main Roads; Education; Employment and Training; and Primary Industries and Fisheries. He has served as Chancell
Jim Varghese AM is Chair of the Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct and Chairman of The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd, which he has led since 2012. He spent a decade as Director-General of four Queensland Government departments: Main Roads; Education; Employment and Training; and Primary Industries and Fisheries. He has served as Chancellor of Torrens University Australia (2022–2025), Chair of Jobs Queensland and a Director of Trade and Investment Queensland. He was also Deputy Chair of the Ipswich City Council Defence Industry Attraction Committee from 2016 to 2020. A lifetime member and former National Chair of the Australia India Business Council, Jim holds an MBA from the University of Melbourne. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009.
Air Commodore Martin Smith (Ret'd) Advisory Board | Leadership Team
Jim Varghese AM Chair, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct | Chairman, The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd
Jim Varghese AM Chair, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct | Chairman, The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd
Air Commodore Martin Smith (Ret'd) served 33 years in the Royal Australian Air Force across operations, logistics command, program management and strategic planning. As Director-General of Air Force Logistics (2018–2019), he led the strategic direction of engineering, infrastructure, supply chain and support systems during the RAAF's tran
Air Commodore Martin Smith (Ret'd) served 33 years in the Royal Australian Air Force across operations, logistics command, program management and strategic planning. As Director-General of Air Force Logistics (2018–2019), he led the strategic direction of engineering, infrastructure, supply chain and support systems during the RAAF's transition to a fifth-generation Air Force. He previously served as Senior Commander of RAAF Airbases in Brisbane and spent three and a half years as Commanding Officer at RAAF Base Amberley. He was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service as Base Commander at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan. He holds an honorary Doctorate of Business from the University of Southern Queensland, is Chair of Air Force Holidays and Deputy Chair of AAFCANS, and continues to serve as a Reserve Air Commodore.
Russ Cowton Advisory Board | Leadership Team
Jim Varghese AM Chair, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct | Chairman, The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd
Lieuwke de Jong Advisory Board | Leadership Team
Russ Cowton is an aerospace and defence industry executive with nearly 40 years' experience in aircraft maintenance engineering, program management and business development. He began his career at Boeing Defence Australia in 1985. He then spent nearly 16 years at BAE Systems Australia in rotary-wing program management and business develop
Russ Cowton is an aerospace and defence industry executive with nearly 40 years' experience in aircraft maintenance engineering, program management and business development. He began his career at Boeing Defence Australia in 1985. He then spent nearly 16 years at BAE Systems Australia in rotary-wing program management and business development. At Northrop Grumman, he managed the KC-30A program and served as Strategic Development Manager for the greater Brisbane region. A qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (avionics), he has hands-on experience with the F/A-18 Hornet, Seahawk and Black Hawk platforms. He is currently a Partner at Meridian Global Services, APAC Strategy and Business Development Advisor at All-System Aerospace International, and an advisor to Apexline Engineering Services.
Lieuwke de Jong Advisory Board | Leadership Team
Jim Varghese AM Chair, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct | Chairman, The Leadership Company (Qld) Pty Ltd
Lieuwke de Jong Advisory Board | Leadership Team
Lieuwke de Jong is a globally experienced executive and entrepreneur working at the intersection of industry, government and innovation. His career spans defence-aligned sectors, aerospace, energy, life sciences and advanced materials, including senior roles at Shell, CAE and KPMG Transaction Services. He led PPK Group's advanced minerals
Lieuwke de Jong is a globally experienced executive and entrepreneur working at the intersection of industry, government and innovation. His career spans defence-aligned sectors, aerospace, energy, life sciences and advanced materials, including senior roles at Shell, CAE and KPMG Transaction Services. He led PPK Group's advanced minerals business, securing partnerships with global companies including Boeing. As Founder and Managing Director of Never Odd Or Even, he provides advisory and fractional C-suite leadership to deep-tech ventures worldwide. He is also Managing Director of Mencius Medical (Netherlands). He is a Certified Chair (Advisory Board Centre) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds master's degrees from the University of Warwick and UMC Utrecht.
Con Livissianis Advisory Board | Leadership Team
Christopher Stear Advisory Head of Strategic Communications | Principal, StratComm Advisors
Christopher Stear Advisory Head of Strategic Communications | Principal, StratComm Advisors
Con Livissianis BCom, FAICD, FCPA is Executive Chairman, Managing Director and Founder of Exemplar Performance Advantage, a Sydney-based advisory practice specialising in corporate governance, ESG strategy and director development. He brings a 40-year record in governance and innovation across Australian and international organisations. H
Con Livissianis BCom, FAICD, FCPA is Executive Chairman, Managing Director and Founder of Exemplar Performance Advantage, a Sydney-based advisory practice specialising in corporate governance, ESG strategy and director development. He brings a 40-year record in governance and innovation across Australian and international organisations. His work spans senior management, board directorship, and the design of governance and performance evaluation frameworks. He is Chair of Australia India Business Pty Ltd and has served as Director, National Treasurer and Company Secretary of the Australia India Business Council.
Christopher Stear Advisory Head of Strategic Communications | Principal, StratComm Advisors
Christopher Stear Advisory Head of Strategic Communications | Principal, StratComm Advisors
Christopher Stear Advisory Head of Strategic Communications | Principal, StratComm Advisors
Christopher Stear is Advisory Head of Strategic Communications for the GIDP and Principal of StratComm Advisors. A former US Marine, he served as a Public Affairs Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, including at RAAF Base Amberley. He has held senior advisory roles in Federal Parliament and served as Senior Media Advisor to a State
Christopher Stear is Advisory Head of Strategic Communications for the GIDP and Principal of StratComm Advisors. A former US Marine, he served as a Public Affairs Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, including at RAAF Base Amberley. He has held senior advisory roles in Federal Parliament and served as Senior Media Advisor to a State Minister. An experienced national media commentator, he has worked on major communications campaigns, government policy launches and sensitive public affairs operations. He is a graduate of the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Manu Hingorani Advisory Board | Leadership Team
Christopher Stear Advisory Head of Strategic Communications | Principal, StratComm Advisors
Sophia Arkinstall Secretariat, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct
Manu Hingorani BEng, MBA, CPEng, FAITPM, RPEQ is a leader in smart infrastructure and urban development with over 25 years' experience delivering programs across Australia's public and private sectors. He is recognised for his expertise in Intelligent Transport Systems and strategic urban development, and has led award-winning innovations
Manu Hingorani BEng, MBA, CPEng, FAITPM, RPEQ is a leader in smart infrastructure and urban development with over 25 years' experience delivering programs across Australia's public and private sectors. He is recognised for his expertise in Intelligent Transport Systems and strategic urban development, and has led award-winning innovations including 'Hold the Red'. As Senior Advisor to Australia India Business Pty Ltd, he supports urban development, education and cross-border investment between Australia and India. He has served as Queensland Branch President of AITPM and Executive Director of ITS Australia.
Sophia Arkinstall Secretariat, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct
Christopher Stear Advisory Head of Strategic Communications | Principal, StratComm Advisors
Sophia Arkinstall Secretariat, Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct
Sophia Arkinstall is Secretariat to the Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct, coordinating the work of the leadership group on behalf of the Chair. She is Founder of AI & Society, a community exploring the social, ethical and practical impacts of artificial intelligence on people, places and cities. Since launching in Brisbane in January 2025
Sophia Arkinstall is Secretariat to the Greater Ipswich Defence Precinct, coordinating the work of the leadership group on behalf of the Chair. She is Founder of AI & Society, a community exploring the social, ethical and practical impacts of artificial intelligence on people, places and cities. Since launching in Brisbane in January 2025, AI & Society has grown to more than 3,000 members across Australia. Her background spans project management, smart cities, AI governance and community engagement. She holds an MBA (Valedictorian) from the University of Queensland.