Our People
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There are many people that help make up the Britain-Australia Society. Learn more about who we are below.
President
William Jefferson Hague, Baron Hague of Richmond, PC, FRSL
In the Office
Louise is an Australian who has lived in Britain for over 25 years. Before taking up the role of National Director in October 2020, Louise was the Executive Director of BASET, the Britain-Australia Society Education Trust. Louise graduated from the University of Queensland with an LLB (1st class hons), together with a BA majoring in journalism and a teaching diploma in speech and drama. After working in major law firms in both Brisbane and Sydney, she came to Britain in 1996 to do an LLM at Trinity Hall, Cambridge before working at a major City Law firm. Louise has served as a trustee on the board of the Friends of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and has been Vice President of the Australian Women’s Club.
Louise Mulley
National Director
Having grown up in an RAF household, in both East Anglia and Singapore, Marina made her career within the hospitality industry in the United Kingdom. She has helped run several private membership organisations as well as working at some of London’s best-known restaurants, she also used to own a pub! Marina joined the Britain-Australia Society in September 2019 and manages the administration of BASET and the Cook Society as well as being the first point of call for Members and our network.
Marina Kinsman
Office Manager
Board Members
Damian J Walsh
Chairman
Damian is a London based Chartered Accountant, Management Consultant and Non-Executive Director with more than thirty-five years international experience. He joined the Board of the Britain-Australia Society as Deputy Chairman in March 2018 and became Chairman in March 2019. Damian is a Partner and Head of the Board Advisory Practice at Savannah Group, a pre-eminent leadership advisory and executive search firm based in London as well as serving as the Chairman of the Australian Chamber Orchestra UK Board. Damian’s previous Board roles have included Arqiva Group Limited and the Australia-UK Chamber of Commerce.
John Langoulant AO
Ex Officio Board Observer
John is the Agent General for Western Australia in the United Kingdom/Europe region. A respected business leader who has held a diverse range of executive and non-executive roles, John has decades of experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Most recently, he has held a number of non-executive director roles including as Chair of Infrastructure WA where he was responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, planning, management and performance of the agency. He has also been the Chair of the Government Employees Superannuation Fund for the past decade. In 2010, John was awarded an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia and was the Western Australian Citizen of the Year for Business in 2011.
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Elizabeth is a proud British-Australian having been born in London and raised in Melbourne. She is the Chief Operating Officer of Atalanta, having previously served as the National Director of the Britain-Australia Society and the Executive Director of the Australia-UK Chamber of Commerce. She has over a decade of experience in senior commercial and political advisory across Europe and the Asia-Pacific, including working as an Australian diplomat and trade negotiator and as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Save the Children International. As well as her role with the Britain-Australia Society, Elizabeth is the Chair of the Menzies Australia Institute Advisory Board.
Elizabeth Ames
Board Director
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Tim Dillon
Ex Officio Board Observer
Tim took up his appointment as the Agent General for Victoria to the United Kingdom and Commissioner for Europe and Israel on 30 June 2020. Based in London,
Tim represents the State Government of Victoria’s interests in the United Kingdom, Europe and Israel, overseeing the Victorian Government Trade andInvestment Offices in London and Frankfurt, and representation in Israel. Tim has extensive experience representing Victoria overseas. Prior to this appointment, Tim served as Commissioner for Victoria to Greater China (Shanghai, China2014-2020), South East Asia (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2009-2014) and North Asia (Tokyo, Japan 2004-2009). Tim has worked in both the private and public sectors and has undertaken formal studies in Economics, Japanese and Asian Studies.
Keith Newton
Director
Keith Newton ACA has been the Chairman of the West Country Branch of the Britain-Australia Society since 2014 and joined the National Board in March 2015. Keith had a global career in management consulting with Accenture, retiring as the Managing Partner, Asia Pacific in 2009. He is a company director, an investor and advisor to a number of UK, Australian, Hong Kong and Caribbean businesses and charities. He is currently a Director of the Britain-Australia Society Education Trust (BASET) along with the Alcohol Education Trust and an advisor to the board of an English public school.
Trish Wadley
Director
Trish is an Olivier nominated theatre producer creating innovative productions in theatres and site-specific locations both on and off the West End. She joined the Board of the Britain-Australia Society in December 2019 and is an active supporter of Australian cultural productions in the UK. Trish trained as a journalist and has worked much of her life in the media including News International, Thomson Financial and Independent Newspapers, before moving to a career in theatre. Most recently she produced The Wider Earth a play about Charles Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle, which was staged in a purpose built-theatre at The Natural History Museum.
Peter Sargent
Director
Peter is the Head of Transaction Banking CEMEA at DNB Bank ASA and joined the Board of the Britain-Australia Society in March 2018. He has over 30 years experience in Transaction Banking including leading teams specialising in international trade, cash management and project management. Peter previously worked at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Corp and at Lloyds Bank as well as Citigroup, ABN Amro and Royal Bank of Scotland. He is regularly consulted by Governments in the UK, Australia and New Zealand on trade, cash and infrastructure matters.
Jeannie Lopes
Director
Jeannie Lopes is the UK Ambassador for Advance Global Australians. She is a 7" generation Tasmanian, who via the US and then NSW, moved to London in her mid-20's and stayed to work for the BBC. On moving to Dartmoor to raise her children, she joined a number of not-for-profit boards including the Sir Francis Chichester Trust and Broadreach. Jeannie remained involved in business and education throughout the years when her children were young, returning to London in 2015 to join a board advisory team and take on the role with Advance. She is also on the Australian Advisory Board of the Global Foundation.
Edwin Wong
Director
Edwin is an experienced lawyer with a wide-ranging practice that primarily focuses on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic investment transactions. He has significant international and commercial experience, having worked in the UK, Asia and the Middle East as a legal adviser in private practice and as an investment analyst at a London-headquartered private investment firm. Originally from Australia, Edwin currently practices at international law firm Clifford Chance LLP and has particular specialism in the real estate, asset management and transport/logistics sectors. Edwin joined the Board of the Britain-Australia Society in October 2013.
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Vice Presidents
Mr Peter Benson AM
Sir Roger Carrick KCMG LVO FRGS
The Rt Hon The Lord Goodlad KCMG PC
Mr George Vestey DL
Sir Christopher Benson DL OAM
The Rt Hon The Earl of Buckinghamshire
Mr Brian Harris
Mr Michael Whalley OAM
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Honorary Vice Presidents
Mr Dale Eaton FRGS
Sylvia Countess of Limerick CBE
Mr Barry Tuckwell AC OBE
The Rt Hon The Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke PC
Ms June Mendoza AO OBE RP
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Founding President
(1979-2018)
The Rt Hon The Lord Carrington KG GCMG CH MC PC
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Past Chairmen
2012
2011
2008
2007
2006
2003
2001
1999
1997
1994
1991
1988
1984
1979
1976
Mr Peter Benson AM
Mr John Allen
The Rt Hon The Earl of Buckinghamshire
Sir Christopher Benson DL
Lord Goodlad KCMG BC
Mr Rohan Courtney OBE
Mr Brian Harris
Sir Roger Carrick KCMG LVO
The Earl of Limerick
Sir John Leahy KCMG
Sir Jack Rampton
Sir Peter Gadsden GBE AC JP
Lord Shackleton KG AC OBE PC FRS FRGS FRCGS
Viscount Slim OBE DL
Lord Carrington KG GCMG CH MC PC
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Past Directors General