Our Board

AIS’ Board has been built to ensure the company has the skills, knowledge and experience to steer the business forward and meet both its current and future challenges.  Our Directors hold professional expertise in a range of areas, including: strategic planning, financial management, risk management, legal affairs and ethics.  All Directors are non-executive appointments to ensure independence from the day-to-day operations of the organisation.

 
Laurie D'Apice
Laurie D'Apice

Board Chairman

LinkedIn Profile

 

Laurie is President for Human Resources for Linfox, Australia’s largest privately owned Transport and Logistics Business. In this role, Laurie has responsibility for human resources, recruitment, organisational and people development, industrial relations, workplace safety, workers compensation, regulatory compliance, corporate communications and sustainability.
Laurie has extensive experience in workforce development, operations and employee relations. During his career Laurie has worked with many of Australia’s leading blue-chip enterprises including Qantas, Hawker De Havilland, Mayne Nickless and Aussie Home Loans.
Laurie holds a Graduate Diploma of Labour Relations and Law from Sydney University and has completed the AICD Company Directors Course.

Ron Devitt
Ron Devitt

Deputy Chair

LinkedIn Profile

 

Ron is currently the Senior Project Manager, New Fleet Delivery and Enhancement for Sydney Trains which is responsible for ensuring that Sydney Trains is business ready for the testing, commissioning and the integration of new rolling stock entering the Sydney Trains network. This includes ensuring that staff have the capabilities required to operate or support the new trains entering service. He has an extensive background in learning and development (L&D) with a focus on training design, delivery, assessment and program evaluation. He has worked in the L&D area for over 30 years, predominantly in the Transport industry and is passionate about ensuring that employees have the competencies required to perform their jobs. Ron’s contribution to L&D is acknowledged throughout the transport Industry with his outstanding contribution to the industry recognised in 2010 when awarded the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Australia, Professional of the Year Award. He has also made a contribution to the industry through his membership of broad range of Boards and Committee’s including, CRC for Rail Innovation Board, ARA Rail Workforce Development Committee and the ARA National Rail Safety Worker Governance Committee.

Jon Northorpe
Jon Northorpe

Director

LinkedIn Profile

 

Jon has spent most of his 30-year career in the transport, logistics and retail sectors having worked for organisations such as Toll, Catch Group, Spotless and Sussan Corporation in leadership and Supply Chain Management roles.

Having managed culturally and demographically diverse workforces across Australia, APAC and Asia, Jon has been at the forefront of change with many organisations and prides himself in being a strong advocate for the development of people and skills especially in sectors such as transport, retail, eCommerce where skills are short on supply and high in demand.

As the Managing Director of tgroup.co, a specialist supply chain and management consulting business, Jon continues to support primarily the retail sector in the delivery of innovation, technology and skills.

Jon holds a MBA in Leadership and Innovation.

Other Committees | Chairman of AIS Audit and Risk Committee

Membership | Australian Institute of Company Directors

Tony Wilks
Tony Wilks

Director

LinkedIn Profile

 

Tony brings a strong business background to the AIS Board.

Tony has worked in senior roles in the Mining and Resources industry, Maritime and Shipping, and the Road Transport and Logistics sectors, and was a Commissioner with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

He has successfully established his own consulting business where he provides strategic advice to a wide range of both large and small businesses.

In addition, Tony is actively involved in the local community in Northern Tasmania volunteering his time and expertise to support addressing social challenges including youth unemployment.

Tony is an adjunct professor at the University of Tasmania

Other Committees | Employer Director of the Maritime Superfund

Membership | Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Human Resources Institute

Jamie Newlyn
Jamie Newlyn

Director

 

Jamie is the Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia having started his working career as a Merchant Seafarer at the age of 16. Later becoming a Stevedore before spending the past 20 years as an elected official of the union.

Jamie has experience in the Transport and Logistics and Training/VET sector through previous board roles on the South Australian Governments Training and Skills Commission and also the Transport Distribution & Training SA (Industry Skills Council).

Jamie holds a Diploma of Business, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is continuing professional development in superannuation.

Other Boards | Deputy Chair, Maritime Super; Chair, Maritime Financial Services

Membership | Australian Institute of Company Directors

Mark Diamond
Mark Diamond

Director

LinkedIn Profile

 

Mark is the National Secretary of the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union (RTBU). In this role Mark leads the union that represents around 35,000 workers in Australia’s rail and public transport industries. His responsibilities as National Secretary span legal, governance, strategic planning and implementation, finances, compliance, risk and reporting, and government relations.

Prior to joining the RTBU, Mark worked in various industries including insurance, disability services and business consultancy and held senior positions in legal, industrial & employee relations, human resources, risk & compliance, underwriting and general operations.

He is a qualified lawyer and from April 2016 – October 2019 was the National Lawyer for the Union responsible for overseeing the entire legal function of the RTBU and providing support, advice and training to senior personnel.

Other Directorships | Australian Council of Trade Unions – Executive Member; Tracksafe Foundation – Board Director

Membership | Law Society of NSW; Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

Nick McIntosh
Nick McIntosh

Director

 

Nick is the Assistant National Secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union. In this role Nick manages the organisation’s policy and finance units.

He also has overarching responsibility for enterprise bargaining on behalf of the organisation with numerous employers and industry peak bodies.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Macquarie University.

Other Committees | Alternate Director of an Industry Superannuation Fund; Director of the Transport Education Audit Compliance Health Organisation

ELIZABETH FERRIER
ELIZABETH FERRIER

Director

LinkedIn Profile

 

Elizabeth is an executive human resources, industrial relations and legal professional, with extensive experience in both private legal practice and business. She has over a decade of experience working in the human resources sector supporting successful business strategy, most recently as Executive General Manager for Industrial and Employee Relations at Toll Holdings Ltd.

Elizabeth holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws Degrees with Honours, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management. Elizabeth holds a current NSW Legal Practicing Certificate.