OUR TEAM
Trent Bagnall
Director and CEO
Strong management, governance and finance background. Led mining and logistics technology company QMASTOR Limited from inception to ASX IPO then to acquisition in 2011.
Managed over 100 Startup investments with a proven venture capital track record.
Focused on rapidly growing investee companies to have global impact that maximises investor returns. A Professor of Practice at The University of Newcastle and a fellow of the AICD.
Brett Thomas
Director and COO
Proven GM and COO with international project experience in the resources, innovation, automation and technical services industries.
Deep experience in the petroleum, mining, logistics, surveying/civil engineering and Startup ecosystem.
Responsible for operations, accounting, finance, HR and legal functions.
Focused on helping our portfolio with all aspects of running successful businesses
Clint Bruin
Director, Principal Engineer and CTO
Experienced professional engineering principal with a demonstrated history of working in the research industry.
Skilled in process control, control systems design, functional safety, SCADA, compliance, product development and product lifecycle analysis.
Focused on reducing technical risk for investee companies by using his 20+ years’ experience in building world class engineering products and delivering The Melt’s 4P process.
Iain Yule
Technical Specialist
Iain has a Bachelor of Education. His teaching experience spans almost 30 years, most of which was served as Head Teacher in the Technology and Design departments of various high schools throughout NSW. Iain has always been a maker of all things, including parts for his many hobbies.
Iain is a multiple Australian and World Champion in the Metal Silhouette pistol shooting category.
In his role as the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Specialist Iain is responsible for managing the day-to-day aspects of the centre.
John Klinkenberg
Principal Industrial Designer
John is senior Industrial Designer-In-Residence. He has designed products across the retail, defence, mining and rail industries for 15+ years.
His experience spans a diverse range of manufacturing techniques including fabrication (welding and sheet metal), joinery design and material selection, injection moulding, aluminium extrusion, and additive manufacturing (3D printing).
He has a BA in Industrial Design with First Class Honours, has won Good Design Australia awards and has recently been appointed to the national judging panel.
Advisors
Kyle Loades
Chairman, Director, Adviser
Kyle is a Chairman, Non-Executive Director and Advisor with more than two decades of board experience across the community, public and commercial sectors.
Kyle was the Chairman of NRMA until December 2017. Currently he is Chairman of Local Government Super, Director of Credit Union Australia, Chairman of the Australian Transformation & Turnaround Association, Chairman of Hunter Medical Research, and Conjoint Professor of Practice at University of Newcastle.
He established, grew and managed Auto Advantage, an independent car broking business that disrupted the motor vehicle retail industry purchased by ASX listed company A.P Eagers.
Craig Lambert
Founder & CEO
30+ year track record of transforming and future proofing businesses through investments, sales, marketing and innovation. Extensive interaction with c-suite executive management, operations and innovation teams to define and execute strategies to support growth and enhance profitability. Strong local and international business network across a variety of industry sectors.
Founder and CEO of Slingshot Australia’s most experienced and trusted corporate innovation partner.
His focus is on innovation for Impact. Innovation which is meaningful, measurable and leaves a cultural mark on the organisation.