Craig James

Chief economist Craig James has a knack for making economics user friendly. He is currently chief economist at CommSec, interpreting ‘big picture’ economic and financial trends for customers, clients and staff. As well as providing presentations to staff and clients and commentaries on financial and economic trends, Craig appears regularly in the electronic and print media. Craig currently does around two to three regular TV crosses a day, ad hoc radio and newspaper interviews and writes regular commentaries as well as presenting to staff, clients and external organisations.

Ashley Fell

Ashley Fell is a social researcher, TEDx speaker and Team Leader of Communications at the internationally recognised McCrindle. As a trends analyst she understands the need to communicate with the emerging generations to effectively engage with them. From her extensive experience in media and communications, Ashley advises on how to achieve cut through in message-saturated times. Her expertise is in how to communicate across generational barriers. With academic qualifications in communications, an ongoing role in deploying and analysing national research studies, and with her position leading the communications strategy at McCrindle, Ashley brings robust, research-based content to her engaging presentations and consulting.

Darren Hill

Darren Hill is a behavioural scientist, one of Australia’s most in-demand strategists and a trusted advisor to a range of Fortune 500 and ASX Top-20 companies. His culture change programs are currently being used in PepsiCo, McDonalds, Schweppes/Asahi, Suncorp Bank and the Australian Federal Government, to name a few. Darren’s a best-selling author of three books including Dealing with the Tough Stuff: How to achieve results from key conversations which has now been translated into three languages. His work has appeared regularly across the Fairfax Group (including the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age), News Limited (The Daily Telegraph and Courier Mail), Business Insider and Smart Company. He now writes exclusively for BRW, and has appeared on The Today Show and Sky Business News.

Linda Sharkey

Linda Sharkey is a Certified Practising Valuer, Chartered Valuation Surveyor and leader of the self storage team at Urbis. With 12 years’ experience, she has full geographical coverage in valuations and advisory across Australia and New Zealand. In addition to self storage, Linda is experienced in highest and best use analysis, feasibility testing, value capture and market trend studies.

Craig Salter

Craig Salter is a health and safety innovator, who prides himself on providing simple, practical, and jargon free health and safety guidance – best captured by his “War on Safety ” webinar series, that was released 2018. A career that started as the Sports Science Officer for Cricket Australia and Lecturer at the University of Canberra, Craig transitioned to health and safety holding advisory and management roles within both the legal and retail industries. Starting Action OHS Consulting in 2011, Craig founded Safety Champion Software in 2015 – a software solution designed to support businesses of all sizes, more easily manage their legal health and safety obligations. Craig works closely with both small businesses and enterprise clients to understand their business and operational needs to provide holistic and practical health and safety solutions. He holds post graduate qualifications in Health and Safety, is a Lead OHS Management System Auditor, a Member of the Health and Safety Institute of Australia, and Member of Australian Institute of Occupational Hygiene. In addition, he is a voluntary member on the Reach Foundation’s Risk Advisory Committee.

Tony Raunic

A lawyer advising in Local Government, Property and Construction, Wills and Estates, and Self-Storage. The greatest skill Tony offers his clients is his natural ability to present often complex commercial issues in an easy to understand manner. Just as importantly, he quickly grasps the essential details of an enterprise or document, unravelling them in simple and easy to comprehend terms. This is not surprising, given Tony’s diverse career history involving: - 20 years’ experience in property and commercial law - Owning and operating successful legal and financial services businesses Coveted local government insight, serving as an elected councillor and Mayor for several terms. Tony’s approachable manner and friendly disposition has seen him develop a long-standing and loyal client base who seek his help with many issues including: -Statutory and local government authorities for advice on general property, commercial, environment, governance, probity and town planning matters -Developers, vendors and purchasers regarding residential and commercial sales, leases, subdivisions and off-the-plan transactions -Assisting corporates and other entities successfully navigate their dealings with Commonwealth and State Government departments, statutory authorities and local governments.

Damien Gooden

With over 20 years of experience in small businesses, Damien oversees a team of IT Developers and HR Specialists to provide Cloud-based software and HR advice all around Australia. He works closely with Franchise Groups to learn and understand the business and provide a unified HR solution. He holds qualifications in Human Resources and Information Technology (Business Systems).

Darryl King

Darryl is a partner in Jackson Russell’s Business Law team. His areas of legal speciality are mergers and acquisitions, franchising, securities, and general corporate and commercial law. Darryl has over 20 years' experience of advising on, structuring and negotiating commercial transactions across a range of industry sectors. He specialises in contract negotiations, franchising, mergers and acquisitions, derivatives and securities, and general corporate and commercial law. Darryl is focused on providing effective commercial solutions in a New Zealand and international business environment. Darryl works with companies across a range of sectors, including food and beverage, retail, manufacturing, derivatives, business services and import/export sectors. His clients range from privately-held and family-owned business and investors through to subsidiaries of NZX listed companies, private equity owned companies and subsidiaries of multi-national companies. His international experience includes working in the London office of leading global law firm Allen & Overy. Darryl is an active member of the Franchise Association of New Zealand and is a member of the Association's Legislation and Government Liaison committees.