Meet the team

Joe Baini

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Joe has recently joined ManukaLife and brings 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, with a focus on commercialisation, marketing and sales.  He has been appointed to aggressively drive MaukaLife’s presence into international markets, with an intentional focus on Manuka products that focus on the therapeutic and medicinal attributes of Manuka.

Previously, Joe was a CEO of another major Australian Manuka company and also worked as interim CEO for two Australian biotechnology companies, having completed licensing deals across several global territories and raising more than $20m in capital.  Joe also helped form the AMHA, the key industry body for the Australian Manuka Honey industry.

Joe’s extensive experience also includes five and half years as General Manager of Gilead Sciences, the world’s largest biotechnology company, for Australia, New Zealand and Asia. As head of the subsidiary at Gilead, Joe led the growth of the business by almost 900% over his 5-year tenure and gained extensive experience in business development, product licensing and corporate development.

Board positions and corporate experience:

• General Manager and Head of Asia for Gilead Sciences – the world’s largest biotechnology company
• Chairman of Avexa Pharmaceuticals
• Non-Executive Director of Bluechiip Technologies
• CEO, Immuron
• CEO, Pressura Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
• Board Member of BioNetwork Melbourne
• Deputy Chairman of the AMHA
• CEO, Berringa Honey
• Lecturer at University of Melbourne

Academic qualifications:

• University of Melbourne, Masters of Biotechnology

LESTER CHAN

MBA, BME

As CEO of Fund Singapore, an equity-based and debt-based company that specialises in investing in startups, SMEs, publicly listed companies and real estate projects, Lester oversees the management and execution of strategies for the Company.

Prior to this, Lester headed the investment strategies and operations of a private equity and venture capital firm.

DR PATRICK H M LOH

HonDsc, BBM, PBM

Dr Loh is a practising plant scientist and is one of the pioneering bio-entrepreneurs in Singapore who has successfully established the commercial application of biological and molecular techniques to plant and crop improvements in the agro-based industries in the ASEAN region.

Academic qualifications:

• Doctoral Research (PhD) in plant virology and tissue culture technology at The Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted Experimental Station, United Kingdom.
• Chartered Horticulturist (C Hort), The Chartered Institute of Horticulture, United Kingdom.
• Masters Degree in Business Administration (1992) from the University of Dubuque, Iowa, USA
• Honorary Doctorate of Science (HonDSc) Murdoch University, Western Australia in recognition of his exceptional contributions to science, academia and agribusiness in the ASEAN region

Academic appointments:

• Adjunct Professor at the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia; Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business and Singapore University of Social Sciences School of Science and Technology
• Chairman of the Academic Advisory Board of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation Institute of Higher Learning (which is a working partner with Murdoch University, the University of Newcastle, Edith Cowan University and the University of Sheffield (UK).
• March 2017 – appointed Chair of the Special Advisory Group at Murdoch University, Singapore

Corporate experience:

• Co-founder Director of LINK (THM) Sciences Pte Ltd and Premium Herbs International Pte Ltd
• Chairman-Director of Pure Orient Global Holdings Pte Ltd
• 2007 – 2011 Chief Scientific Officer Eu Yan Sang International Ltd
• 2008-2010 – President Commissioner/Non-Executive Chairman of IDX-listed PT. Citra Kebun Raya Agi and PT. Royal Oak Development Asia in the Republic of Indonesia
• 2011-2013 – Chairman of Scientific Advisory Board at SBX-listed Eu Yan Sang International Ltd
• 2015 – appointed Mentor to the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) Innovation Group Hotspot for its “start-ups” and the DBS Entrepreneurs

Awards:
In recognition of his leadership to the Singaporean community, Dr Loh was conferred the Pingkat Bakti Masyarakat (PBM – the Public Service Medal) in 2001 and the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (BBM – The Public Service Star) in 2006 by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Singapore.

PAUL CALLANDER

STRATEGY

In Jan 2015 Paul Callander Co-founded and became Managing Director at ManukaLife. Paul is responsible for the company’s strategy and growth and has twenty-five years’ experience in building companies from start-up to large profitable listed entities.
Paul started as a Commercial Pilot and graduated from the Western Australian Aviation Academy with a Senior Commercial Airline Pilots license. He served with several Aircraft operations as a Commercial pilot.

He spent ten years in Silicon Valley with a startup in semiconductor capital equipment manufacturing with Lam Research (NASDAQ – LRCX) where he was Vice President for Asia Pacific operations. Asia became a significant region for LRCX and Paul established offices, joint ventures, manufacturing, and was responsible for all operations in the region. On his departure, LRCX had a market cap of approx. US$1.5Bn

Paul subsequently moved to Singapore and founded a software company Integrated Process and Retrieval Solutions (IPRS) Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. He then merged this with a U.S. Software firm Optika Inc. a provider of electronic business solutions. Paul continued on as part of the executive management team as Vice President of Asia Pacific and listed the company on NASDAQ.

He joined Canadian start-up company Taleo Inc to establish Asia Pacific operations initially in Sydney. Recruited as Managing Director Paul had full responsibilities for all operations throughout the region. Taleo became the global leader in Software as a Service (SaaS) for Talent Management Solutions. He was a part of the executive team when Taleo listed on NASDAQ. Taleo was acquired by Oracle for US$1Bn.

Paul became aware of the current and growing demand for Manuka honey and, together with Tony Woods, embarked on establishing a Manuka honey industry. Their vision extends beyond the production of honey to the establishment of apiary businesses, product manufacturing, plant breeding and intellectual property, research and development etc.

Paul’s extensive corporate experience with establishing and growing viable companies, developing strategic partnerships, capital raising, investor relations, manufacturing, joint ventures, and distribution and marketing agreements has been invaluable to the successful foundation and growth of ManukaLife Pty Ltd

Board positions and corporate experience:

• Non-Executive Director Zyber Holdings Ltd
• Non–Executive Director Fortune Minerals
• Managing Director Taleo Asia Pacific
• Founding Director Integrated Process and Retrieval Solutions (IPRS) Asia Pacific Pty Ltd Singapore
• Vice President Asia Pacific – Lam Research Corporation USA

Pilot qualifications:

• Senior Commercial Airline Pilots Licence, Royal Aviation Academy

TONY WOODS

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

Raised in a mixed farming background in Western Australia Tony has a background in broad acre agriculture as well as experience in the establishment of horticultural enterprises having initiated large scale native flower production with Horticultural Industries Australia as well as commercial “Food Tree” (Chestnut) enterprises. Following university Tony worked on and ran the family farm, established export markets for high quality commercially grown Western Australian wildflowers and became a founding director of HIA before working extensively overseas.

With extensive experience working in and managing teams to obtain positive outcomes Tony has been involved in successful management of businesses domestically and abroad.

Tony was involved in the establishment and management of several technology companies in Asia pacific, the USA, and Europe before returning to Australia and establishing Manukalife Pty Ltd.

Board positions and corporate experience:

• Chair, Warren Blackwood Economic Alliance
• Board Member, South West Connect: Advisory group to the Australian Federal Government Senate Select Committee on Telecommunications and Technology
• Vice President, W.A. Boating Industry Assn.
• Board member Western Australian Wine Industry Assn, Blackwood Valley Region
• Manager Asia Pacific, SHE Software
• Operations Manager, Northern Goldfields, Department of Environment and Conservation Western Australia
• Consultant, Western Australian Health Department (SW division)

Academic qualifications:

• University of Western Australia, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
• Australian Institute of Export, Diploma Import/Export

RICHARD BRIEDAHL

CONSULTING

Richard provides ManukaLife with operational and technical advice as well as introductions to landowners, potential partners and contractors. He has more than 35 years’ experience in forest management and research and development in both native forests and plantations (pine and hardwood) in the south-west of Western Australia, SA and Victoria.

Richard has experience in both the private and public sectors and has represented the industry on a range of national boards.

Of particular relevance to ManukaLife is Richard’s experience in the following areas:

• Director of Broadvale Pty Ltd providing forestry and agricultural consultancy and contracting services to a range of local, interstate and overseas clients
• General Manager Plantation Operations for WAPRES (WA Plantation Resources) managing plantation estates (totalling about 40,000 hectares) in WA, SA and Victoria and being integrally involved in acquiring land, developing a generic improvement program, and establishing and maintaining nursery operations capable of producing 10 million seedlings.
• Undertaking various roles at WA Chip and Pulp Company (WACAP), responsible for, among other things, R&D and special projects; plantation and nursery establishment and maintenance, and applying (successfully) for a large Commonwealth Grant under the National Afforestation Program
• District Manager of CALM (Department of Conservation and Land Management), responsible for all aspects of managing the Department’s assets in the Collie District, including timber harvesting and regeneration in State Forests, management of National Parks and Nature Reserves and the establishment and management of softwood (pine) plantations as well as the planting and maintenance of plantations for improving water quality in the Wellington catchment and overseeing mine-site rehabilitation
• Research Officer (Karri Silviculture) at the W.A. Forests Department/CALM responsible for reviewing previous work carried out in this field and the planning and implementation of an R&D program aimed at improving the productivity of karri forests, including the implementation of large, fully replicated thinning and fertilising trials, proving the operation’s feasibility of commercial thinning young karri regrowth, cloning of karri by cuttings, and improved regeneration techniques.

Academic qualifications and published papers:

• Bachelor of Science (Forestry), Australian National University
• Breidahl R & Hewett P, “A Review of Silvicultural Research in the Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) Forest”, CALMScience Vol 2 No 1, pp 51-100 (1995)

Positions held:

• Director, Broadvale Pty Ltd
• Voting member of the Institute of Foresters of Australia
• Board member Southern Tree Breeding Association (Retired)
• Board member Co-Operative Research Centre for Temperate Hardwood Forestry (Retired)
• Board member Tree Plantations Australia (Retired)

PAUL KORDIC

IP & CONTRACT

Paul has practised for over 35 years as a commercial lawyer.

He was a Partner and Principal of Talbot & Olivier Lawyers between 1985 and 2014 and Managing Partner for 11 years. Paul was a Partner at Jarman McKenna from 2014 to 2016 and in 2016 joined Cullen Macleod as a Principal. He assists many clients in the agri-business and commercial sectors.

Paul is an accredited adviser with Family Business Australia (FBA), a board member of the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce in Western Australia and Vice President of the Australasian Chapter of the International Wine Law Association. Paul is a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia and a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Australia
• Bachelor of Economics, Australian National University
• Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia
• Notary Public

ALASTAIR WALKER

FINANCES

Alastair provides financial and corporate advice to ManukaLife, overseeing day-to-day accounting functions and assisting management with strategic planning and budgeting.

Alastair has 30 years’ experience in accounting as a chief financial officer and company secretary of both private and ASX listed companies.

He has a broad range of experience in Industries including mining, medical, construction, aviation and telecommunications and has been integrally involved in start-up businesses, ASX listings and takeovers.

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Business, Curtin University
• Fellow of the Society of Practising Accountants.

JOHN THOMSON

B Bus SIA ACIS CA M(Tax) FTIA SSA

John is the Managing Partner of JBC Corporate, Chartered Accountants, and practises principally in the area of complex tax matters and corporate services, including due diligence, compliance, financial accounting and reporting. He consults and advises industry groups and organisations throughout Australia, including government and industry groups, taking the role of facilitator and specialist adviser. His other areas of interest include crop insurance, risk management and marketing. John has a keen personal and professional interest in agri-business based industries which, together with his diverse commercial and taxation experience, are invaluable to the enhancement of management and corporate structures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Business
• Master of Taxation
• Chartered Accountant
• Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance
• Self-managed Superannuation Specialist Adviser and author

Board positions:

• Greenlilne Ag Pty Ltd (John Deere Dealership)
• Hop Shun Pty Ltd (Chinese investment group holding significant beef assets)
• Mobosea Pty Ltd (fully owned Chinese agri-investor with holdings in live cattle)
• Emuala Pty Ltd (fully owned Swiss owned rural property investor)
• Midwest Development Commission (6-year term retired)
• RSM Bird Cameron (Equity Partner retired November 2015)

EDUARD JOHANNES PLANKEN

OAM, FAICD

Eduard is a senior professional with 40 years’ experience in food and agriculture – at both a peak industry body level and at producer level. He has extensive and specific experience in the honey industry. Eduard has sound financial management skills, experience of international exporting trade, corporate governance, policy development and risk management with strong professional, government and private sector links. Eduard also has vast international experience dealing with business and government representatives in countries including Japan, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Dubai.

Qualifications:

• Certificate in Meat Industry Studies
• Certified Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Certified Quality Consultant SQF1
• Bachelor of Business
• Diplomas in Exporting and Sales and Marketing

Board positions:

• Deputy Chairman of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (and as a member of its finance audit committee)
• President of the Honey Packers and Marketers Association of Australia
• World President of the International Honey Exporters Organisation (IHEO). IHEO members represent over 85% of the world honey export volume
• Board member of the Honey International Packers Association
• Board member of B-Qual Australia
• Board member of the successful Australian Apimondia 2007 bid committee
• Food safety committee leader to the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
• Representative on the BCC Committee to the Western Australian Government (Department of Agriculture)

Corporate experience:

• 20 years’ experience as a CEO and as a non-executive director serving on a number of Australian and international boards – all agribusiness related – including Wescobee Limited (127 shareholder producers)
• Strong involvement in developing and managing Quality Assurance programs under the SQFI program and for industry such as B-Qual, Organic, Eco certified and more recently Sustainable Agriculture. Eduard is a certified SQFI Consultant.

Awards:

• Award of Excellence (2013) for contribution to industry presented by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
• IHEO Award (2009) for service to the International Honey Exporters Association
• Order of Australia Medal (2011) for services to the Apicultural industry
• Australian Export Hero Award (2012) for extraordinary contribution to the growth and development of Australian exports presented by the Australian Institute of Export

DR CLAY GOLLEDGE

BSc (Med), MBBS, FRCP, FRCPA, FACTM, FRSTM, FRGS, DTM&H

Dr Golledge is a Physician in Infection Management and a Clinical Microbiologist with 28 years of consultant experience.

He completed his microbiology training at Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner and Fremantle Hospitals and in 1990 embarked on advanced training in Infectious Diseases at the City Hospital and Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. He returned to Perth in 1991 and was a consultant in microbiology and infectious diseases at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital until the end of 2017. During this time he was instrumental in setting up the inaugural SCGH Infectious Diseases Service and the Hospital In The Home Service.

Dr Golledge has also been in private practice in Infectious Diseases since 1995 and is now the Executive Director of Infections West Pty Ltd, Perth’s largest private Infectious Diseases practice and consults from his rooms in West Leederville and also provides consultation and admission service to Hollywood Private Hospital and St John of God Hospital Subiaco.