EXPERTISE/SPECIALISATIONS:

• Financial Services & Investment Banking
• Professional Services, FMCG, Healthcare & Overseas Aid, Science & Education
• International and Cross-Cultural.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

Born in England, Gillian moved to Australia with her family in her late teens. She is an experienced CEO, company director and chairman, and is able to draw on an international career that has encompassed strategy and investment, capacity building, new business launches, organisational restructure and change management.

Gillian has worked in Australia, Hong Kong and Mexico, managed business interests in the US, Singapore, Europe, Melanesia and Polynesia, and been responsible for portfolios in excess of US$1 billion across multiple jurisdictions. She has worked in multi-nationals and SMEs, in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and is skilled at bridging different cultures – national, corporate and professional.

Key executive roles held by Gillian include: Managing Director, Unisearch Ltd (technology commercialisation) from 1998-2005; General Manager, Corporate Development - Zurich Australia Group Ltd (1995-1998); Managing Director, Standard Chartered Equitor Trustee HK Ltd (1993-1995); Corporate Finance Manager - Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (1988-1991); and Senior Manager, Arbitrage - Lloyds Bank NZA Ltd (1983-1987).

Early experience included legal positions at Allens Arthur Robinson and Sydney University, and roles in international trade and investment, and executive search in Mexico City.
Gillian is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, and has been mentoring professionally since 2005.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Law degrees, Sydney and Harvard Universities.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS & MEMBERSHIPS:

• Director, Planet Ark Environmental Foundation since 2007; Chair 2008 -2010
• Director, Aus Health International (1997-2008)
• Founding Director, Biosignal Ltd (listed on ASX in 2004, Board Director - 1999-2006)
• Member, Advisory Board, Centre for Quantum Computer Technology (2001-2009)
• Member, Council, Knox Grammar School (1998-2002)
• Member, Professional Selection Committee for Churchill Fellows (2000-2006)
• Chair, National Education Advisory Committee, Australian Institute of Company Directors (2003-2006)
• Volunteer Counsellor, Lifeline (2003-2004)
• In Hong Kong, Member of Management Committees for Hong Kong Trustees Association, fund-raising for ORBIS (flying eye hospital) and Kidney Patients Trust Fund (1993-1995)
• Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors.

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

Travel, languages, essay and short story writing.

WORKING WITH GILLIAN TURNER:

“What I’ve enjoyed about the mentoring program has been the opportunity to develop and challenge myself, and Gillian has been instrumental in giving me the necessary confidence and self-belief. She has great skill in cutting through the noise and excuses and I’ve gained insights about my reactions and behaviour and what I can do to create my own outcomes and results. It truly has been a journey, and after every meeting with Gillian I’ve been able to reflect on our conversation, reflect on her suggestions and comments and even had a couple of epiphany moments that for me were breakthroughs. Her combination of senior executive experience and business acumen, coupled with knowledge of human behaviour and psychology, helped me analyse and navigate commercial realities and scenarios. Gillian has offered generous support and encouragement; having her as my mentor is a major contributor to my transition from a managing focus and mindset, to becoming a leader and developing my strategic capability.” CEO, Retail