Speakers

Patrick Conlon was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and migrated to South Australia with his family in 1966 at the age of seven. In 1988 he studied Arts and Law at the University of Adelaide while working part time in such jobs as office cleaner, industrial officer, project officer and workers' compensation employee advocate.

Mr Conlon graduated with an Arts degree and with first-class honours in Law. He had a distinguished academic career, winning the Howard Zelling prize for Constitutional Law, the Stow Prize, and the David Murray Scholarship for his honours dissertation on employment law. As Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Conlon now oversees one of the South Australian Government's most important departments - one that is delivering the largest investment in infrastructure the State has ever seen. This includes projects such as the Adelaide Oval redevelopment, the Southern Expressway duplication and the South Road Superway, South Australia's largest ever road construction project. As Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Conlon is responsible for working with communities and the private sector to deliver the ambitions of the 30-year plan for Adelaide by bringing together the State's strategic assets in a new Urban Renewal Authority.

Stephen is the City of Adelaide’s youngest-ever Lord Mayor. A town planner with nearly 20 years’ experience in state and local government, Stephen has dedicated his professional life to developing cities.

Stephen is working to make Adelaide a modern, vibrant and sustainable place to do business, live and enjoy life. He believes an economy based on innovation, education, arts and culture will make Adelaide prosperous. He is also encouraging strong working relationships between all levels of government, as well as business and the general community.

Stephen has an MBA, as well as post-graduate qualifications in Regional and Urban Planning and Environmental Studies. He has also lectured in planning and management in several countries.

Stephen lives in the heart of the CBD with his wife Emily, daughter Megan and son Oliver.

Rod Hook is one of South Australia’s most highly respected senior public servants with an unrivalled reputation for delivering major projects and programs that is recognised at the highest levels of both State and Federal Government. 

Rod is currently the Chief Executive of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, responsible for South Australia’s transport system and services (including public transport), building management, land services, recreation and sport as well as infrastructure planning. 

These responsibilities include the delivery of major infrastructure projects for the State consistent with priorities set out in South Australia’s Strategic Plan including the unprecedented $2.6 billion investment to rebuild Adelaide’s public transport network and the $535 million upgrade of the iconic Adelaide Oval.

He is also South Australia’s Commissioner of Highways and the State’s Coordinator-General for the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

Rod is widely known for his role in delivering a range of major infrastructure projects that have changed the way people live, work and do business in Adelaide. These include the Port River Expressway, the Glenelg Tramline Extensions to Victoria Square and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre the Gallipoli Underpass and most recently South Australia’s FINA compliant State Aquatic Centre and GP Plus Health Care Centre.  

Rod graduated from the University of Adelaide with Honours in Civil Engineering.

Michael Schur is the CEO of South Australian Health Partnership (SAHP), the Special Purpose Vehicle delivering South Australia’s single largest infrastructure project, the $1.85bn new Royal Adelaide Hospital. Michael also heads up PPP Services for Leighton Contractors, which provides management services on a range of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in the health, education and custodial sectors.

From 2009 – 2011 Michael was the Secretary of NSW Treasury, leading the Treasury in its role advising the NSW Government on economic policy, financial management (2010-11 revenue of $56.5 billion, expenses of $56.4 billion, capital expenditure of $16.7 billion), and reporting.

Prior to this, Michael spent five years at the World Bank, advising governments in Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa on infrastructure reforms, focused primarily on the transport, water, health and electricity sectors.

Michael is a recipient of the British Government’s Helen Suzman Leadership Fellowship, a scholarship for postgraduate study in the United Kingdom, awarded in recognition of leadership in the field of economic development. He also holds a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of London and has post- and under-graduate degrees from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa.

David was educated in England and holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology.   He has over 18 years of experience from across health and local government sectors in the United Kingdom having been a chief executive in both.

In October 2004 David was recruited to South Australia to run a large metropolitan health service.  In January 2007 David moved into the SA Department of Health to develop the State’s 10 year health care plan and lead the health reform process.  David is also the Project Director for the new Royal Adelaide Hospital development.

David has just retired as national President of the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association after 4 years in the role.

David holds two academic appointments, Associate Professor of Psychology of University of Adelaide and Adjunct Professor of Health Systems Management of University of South Australia.

As General Manager, Southern Region, Peter Ryan has responsibility for Leighton Contractors’ business activities in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, which have an annual turnover of over $400 million. He is extensively involved in management activities including the development of partnering and joint venture agreements, financial reporting, tender reviews, recruitment and the programming of works and resources.

Peter holds degrees in engineering, business and project management, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. In 2006, his experience and contribution to the engineering profession were recognised with the award of a Fellowship by Engineers Australia.Peter has had a diverse career, ranging from the management of urban development and infrastructure projects in Victoria to the design and construction of packaged wastewater treatment facilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Before joining Leighton Contractors, Peter was the Victorian Manager and a Director of BMD Constructions. During his time at BMD, Peter developed the company’s Victorian operations from a revenue of $5 million in 1998 to a business that approached $150 million in turnover and employed over 200 full-time staff.Peter’s goal is to ensure that Leighton Contractors delivers superior projects that maximise the long-term sustainability of the company. A firm advocate of collaborative contracting principles, Peter is committed to developing lasting relationships with clients and project stakeholders. His extensive local and international experience gives him a ‘big picture’ focus and the drive to achieve outstanding project outcomes.

Andrew is an Associate Director in Macquarie Capital’s infrastructure advisory business in Australia, leading Macquarie’s infrastructure and government activities in South Australia, Western Australia, and Northern Territory.

Andrew recently raised in excess of A$2.8 billion debt and equity capital for the A$1.85 billion New Royal Adelaide Hospital PPP, and is currently financial adviser to Spencer Gulf Port Link consortium on the development of Port Bonython.

Andrew’s focus is in the infrastructure and government business sector where he has advised infrastructure investors, asset owners, state government and corporate agencies on greenfield development projects, selldown / acquisition of operating infrastructure assets and capital structure advice. Andrew has 14 years infrastructure advisory experience, including over nine years experience at Macquarie Capital.

Managing Director, Business and Risk Solutions. Specialist advisory firm providing project and high performance services
Past

• General Manager, Central West (SA & WA), Parsons Brinckerhoff. A US engineering and environmental professional services firm providing infrastructure related services
• Operations Executive, South Australia, Parsons Brinckerhoff. Responsible for commercial and operational performance of South Australian operations
• Manager Governance and Operation Support, City of Charles Sturt responsible for Contracted Services, Fleet Management, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, Insurance and Mayor/Council support
• Manager Corporate Governance & Team Leader, Legal and Risk Support, Adelaide City Council responsible for Corporate Governance, Lord Mayor/Council Support, Risk Management, Internal Audit, Insurance, OHSW and Legal Services
• Senior, Arthur Andersen. Provision of consulting services to a wide range of industries and clients
• Deputy Audit Manager, Auditor General’s Department. Provision of audit related services to State Government organisations

SERVICE AREAS

• Leadership and Team Development
• Commercial Training
• Strategic and Project Commercial Advice
• Executive and Success Coaching
• Cultural Transformation and Organisational Reviews
• Risk Management
• Alliancing and Coaching and Facilitation Services

INDUSTRY AREAS

• Infrastructure
• Local Government
• Mining

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Practising Accountant, CPA Program, 2001
• B.Acc (Accounting), University of South Australia, 1996
• Certified Coach, Corporate Coach U
• Human Synergistics Accredited Facilitator, Leadership Styles Inventory (LSI) & Leadership Impact (LI)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Member, CPA Australia
• Member, Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA)
• Associate Member, Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)
• Member, Alliancing Association of Australia (AAA)
• Independent member of the Australian National Arts and Technology Inc audit committee, 2009 - present
• Independent member of th Adelaide Hills Council audit committee, 2006 – 2008 Independent member of the East Waste Corporation audit committee, 2007 – 2008

With a professional career spanning more than 17 years, Gordon Sumerling is considered a true veteran of the Australian GIS industry. A Senior Consultant, within the South Australian Professional Services team, Gordon is one of Esri Australia’s most passionate GIS specialists.

With a Bachelor of Arts, and Honours in Geography and Remote Sensing, Gordon is an undisputed authority in the fields of: imagery; LiDAR; cadastral management; and mobile GIS. Gordon has produced a number of industry white papers and best practice benchmarks for Esri Inc. He is also a familiar and well-respected spatial industry presenter and commentator.