Board Of Directors And Management

The Board of Directors has been selected for its extensive relevant experience and expertise, including operational and industry knowledge, law, financial management, accounting, business knowledge and corporate governance.

Board of Directors

Bob East

Chair of the Board

Bob has proven leadership capability and significant industry skill and expertise with more than 25 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality industries. Prior to joining Experience Co, Bob was CEO of Mantra Group (ASX 200) where he was responsible for the consolidation and strengthening of the Mantra Group brands and the growth of the business into one of the leading accommodation providers and operators in Australasia. Bob was instrumental in and lead the listing of the Mantra Group on the ASX in 2014 and in May 2018 the largest hospitality transaction in Australia – the acquisition of the Mantra Group by Accor Hotels.

Anthony Boucaut

Non-Executive Director

Anthony has over 20 years of experience in the skydiving industry and over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry. The Skydive the Beach concept and vision was the result of Anthony's passion for skydiving and love of sharing extreme adventures with others. During his final year of university, Anthony formed a business known as Adrenalin Sports Skydiving, which became Skydive the Beach, now known as Experience Co. The first tandem skydives over North Wollongong beach were conducted in July 1999.

Neil Cathie

Non-Executive Director

Neil is currently Non-Executive Director and Chair of ASX listed Coventry Group Limited and Plus Recruitment Pty Ltd. He is the Non-Executive Director of MAS National Ltd and also an independent board advisor at Middendorp Electric and Bowens Timber & Hardware.

Previously Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and GM Finance and IT at Australia’s largest and most successful plumbing and bathroom distributor Reece Ltd and Non-executive director of Millennium Services Group Ltd.

Neil is a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA).

Michelle Cox

Non-Executive Director

Michelle has extensive experience in tourism and related industries with a focus on marketing, channel distribution and mergers and acquisitions, having held executive roles at Bastion Collective, STA Travel and APT Group of Companies. Michelle also held Non-Executive roles, among others, with the Australian Tourism Export Council (NT Chair), Central Australia Tourism Industry Association (Deputy Chair) and the NT Business Women's Consultative Council Advisory Board.

Michelle is currently a Board Member of Tourism Tasmania, The Linchpin Company and a number of private companies.

Michelle is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

John O'Sullivan

Executive Director

John has over 25 years’ experience in the tourism and related industries sector, having held senior executive roles with Football Federation Australia (Chief Commercial Officer), Events Queensland (Chief Executive Officer), Fox Sports (Chief Operating Officer) and prior to joining EXP, for the last 5 years, Managing Director of Tourism Australia for the last 5 years.

John has extensive leadership capabilities and experience in the sports and entertainment, media and travel and tourism sectors, on a local and global stage.

John is a Commissioner of Tourism Western Australia. He holds an Executive MBA and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Fiona Van Wyk

Company Secretary

Fiona has over 20 years’ company secretarial, corporate governance and corporate compliance experience. Prior to joining EXP in September 2018, Fiona was Company Secretary of the Mantra Goup (ASX 200) for over 11 years where she was integral to the listing of Mantra Group on the ASX in 2014 and the sale of the business to AccorHotels in 2018. Prior to migrating from South Africa in 2006, Fiona worked for KPMG, where she headed the Company Secretarial Department within the Private Business Services Division. Fiona has also worked in a variety of senior consultancy roles where she provided advice to both private and public listed companies. Fiona is a Member of Governance Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Management

John O'Sullivan

Chief Executive Officer

John has over 25 years’ experience in the tourism and related industries sector, having held senior executive roles with Football Federation Australia (Chief Commercial Officer), Events Queensland (Chief Executive Officer), Fox Sports (Chief Operating Officer) and prior to joining EXP, for the last 5 years, Managing Director of Tourism Australia for the last 5 years.

John has extensive leadership capabilities and experience in the sports and entertainment, media and travel and tourism sectors, on a local and global stage.

John is a Commissioner of Tourism Western Australia. He holds an Executive MBA and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Owen Kemp

Chief Financial Officer

Owen Kemp is an experienced CFO for ASX listed companies and has 18 years’ experience in the accounting and finance sector. Prior to joining Experience Co, Owen was CFO of Gateway Lifestyle Ltd, (ASX: GTY), an ASX200 listed company and was responsible for finance, investor relations and IT functions. This role included a transformation of the finance function, and improving disclosure and transparency in investor communications.

For over a decade Owen worked in Ernst & Young's transaction advisory businesses in Sydney and London advising private equity and corporate clients. Owen holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Accountancy from University of Canberra and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

Charles Carlow

General Manager - Wild Bush Luxury

Charles spent 12 years in Asia and Africa with Cathay Pacific Airways in various management positions, which included running the country offices in South Africa and Thailand.

His experience includes setting up niche DMC, Wilderness Australia in 2001 (rebranded to Alquemie in 2015), offering bespoke experiences across Australia with off-the-beaten track locations and characters.

In 2006, set up Bamurru Plains, a reincarnation of a former fishing camp, which introduced the Wild Bush Luxury brand and concept to tourism in Australia, taking a leaf out of the African safari model. This was followed by the purchase of Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges in 2009 and its conversion from sheep station to wildlife conservancy and a business model where the tourism business effectively underwrites the rewilding of the landscape. Also founding member of Luxury Lodges of Australia and Great Walks of Australia.

Nicolas Dansin

General Manager - Treetops Adventure

With over 20 years of experience in the Outdoor Adventure industry, Nic brings a deep understanding of the necessary implementation and maintenance of processes in order to deliver the best possible experience for our Guests. Nic Started his career as a rock climbing instructor in 1998. In 2004, he co-founded “Vertical Events” specialising in temporary installations at height. In 2007, he co-founded Treetops Adventure with Marc Flaster. Since then, both Marc and Nic have been at the heart of the growth and increased popularity of ZipLining and Ropes Courses attractions in Australia.

Adam Jones

General Manager - Great Barrier Reef

With over 25 years in the North Queensland tourism industry Adam brings extensive knowledge of strategic leadership, stakeholder management and business acumen to Experience Co.

Adam has over 18 years experience bringing adventure experiences to travellers in Far North Queensland, having led the business of Calypso Reef Cruises and Charters in Port Douglas prior to it's acquisition by Experience Co. Adam moved from the sea to the air in 2019, taking on the role of General Manager of Air Operations for Experience Co. His experience and knowledge was quickly recognised with Adam taking on the role of General Manager - Great Barrier Reef in late 2019.

Cherie McGill

General Manager - People & Performance

Having most recently held the role of Executive Director Human Resources with Mantra Group, Cherie was responsible for the human resources practices for four brands across the organisation, including payroll, OH&S, learning and development and corporate social responsibility.

Cherie has over 20 plus years of experience in the human resources sector having held senior human resource management positions with both the Saville Hotel Group and P&O Australian Resorts.

Cherie is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and is an advisory board member for the Southern Cross University Tourism and Hospitality School.

Kathryn O'Brien

Chief Revenue Officer

Kathryn has over 20 years of experience in the travel & tourism sector, working with businesses such as Hamilton Island Enterprises, Voyages Hotels & Resorts, Accor and Tourism Northern Territory. Success and experience have been gained in the delivery of Sales & Distribution Strategies focussed on protection & growth of Revenue, comprehensive Account & Relationship Management, Advertising planning & execution, People & Change Management and Contract & Rate negotiations.

Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Tourism and Graduate Diploma in Management from the University of Canberra.

Clark Scott

General Manager - New Zealand

Clark has a wealth of New Zealand tourism knowledge and experience having previously worked as the General Manager for the world-famous Shotover Jet and Ngai Tahu Tourism in Queenstown.

Clark played a pivotal role in making the Shotover Jet the incredible business it is today and brings that industry knowledge, experience and business acumen to Experience Co's three New Zealand skydiving locations.

Clark (AKA 'Scotty') is a well regarded and well-renowned industry figure and made a smooth and impressive transition from jet boats to parachutes when he took charge of the entire New Zealand operations in early 2016 as General Manager.

Scotty is a Queenstown local who gives a great town tour with a friendly Kia Ora to everyone along the way.

Joe Stein

General Manager - Skydiving

Joe has been Skydiving since 1996 with over 13,000 skydives under his belt. He holds the highest Australian instructor rating available and is also an instructor examiner. In 2019, Joe has joined the Board of Directors of the Australian Parachute Federation.

In his long skydiving career, Joe has been an active competitor for 6 years, won Gold medals in 5 Australian Championships and competed in 2 World Championships.

Between 2010-2015, Joe owned and operated his own skydiving drop zone in Ballina, NSW before joining the Skydive Australia team. Joe has also served as a combat intelligence officer in the Israeli Army. Joe is a married father of two teenagers who both share his love of skydiving.

Ryan Roche

General Manager - Aircraft

Having achieved his pilot license at the age of 18, Ryan has always had a passion for aircraft. From servicing remote communities and cattle stations through the Northern Territory, Kimberlys and FNQ, Ryan joined Skydive Australia (then Skydive the Beach) in 2008.

Ryan currently oversees the company's fleet of 35 aircraft and also holds a skydiving licence himself with over 100 skydives under his belt. Ryan's total aeronautical experience is in excess of 6,000 hours.

Ryan is the owner and operator of Australia's only CASA Part 141 accredited Jump Pilot Training provider, The Australian Jump Pilot Academy and is one of the APF's inaugural Jump Pilot Training Examiners and holds a position on the APF's Aviation Standards Committee.

Ryan is a dedicated father of three boys who also share his passion of aircraft and aviation.

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