Board of Directors
The Newcastle Innovation Board comprises mainly of directors from outside the University of Newcastle, providing valuable business expertise in setting the company's strategy for expanding its success. From their various industry perspectives the Board ensures the company tailors its services to suit the needs of our commercial partners.
Glenn Turner (Acting Chairman)
Chairman - Joinlox Pty Limited
Glenn is Chairman of Kip McGrath Education Centres Limited (ASX), the Hunter Medical Research Foundation and Deputy Chairman of Newcastle Innovation Limited, based at the University of Newcastle. He is also a non-executive director of a number of private companies. He spent much of his executive career in the manufacturing and construction industries in Australia and overseas. His last executive role was as Managing Director of Ludowici Limited (ASX) from 1996 to 2007, during which time that company increased market capitalisation five-fold and delivered significant increases in profit and dividends. Glenn is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants, a Companion of the Institute of Engineers Australia, a Member of the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia and Chairman of Hunter Angels Pty Limited.
Professor Mike Calford
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) - The University of Newcastle
Professor Mike Calford is responsible for managing the University of Newcastle's research and intellectual property, research training and strategic research planning. Mike is a member of the University Executive Committee and is also Professor of Human Physiology. An internationally recognised Neuroscientist who heads a group funded by an NHMRC Program Grant to examine pre-clinical models of ischemic stroke therapy, Mike has held research appointments at the University of Melbourne, City University of New York, Oxford, the University of Queensland, the University of Caliifornia at Irvine, and the Australian National University. He has been a Director of Newcastle Innovation since 2009.
John Coyle
CEO - HunterNet
John is the Chief Executive Officer of HunterNet Cooperative Limited, a Hunter-based network of engineering and manufacturing companies. He is responsible for the planning and management of the operations of the Network and its subsidiary, HunterNet Group Training Company. In this role, and as past Chair and Company Member of HunterNet, John is required to work closely with the network's membership as well as industry, government and professional bodies throughout the Hunter and Central Coast regions. He was formlerly a Board Member and CEO of the Treloar Group and Vice Chair of the Hunter Export Centre. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of NSW and is a Member of the Institute of Company Directors.
Dr John O'Brien
Managing Director - Jurox
Dr O'Brien holds a Bachelor of Vetinary Science from the University of Sydney and is the Managing Director of Jurox Pty Ltd. Jurox is a family owned veterinary pharmaceutical company that markets in excess of 120 proprietary animal health products and employs over 100 staff in Australia and New Zealand. With an expanding export base and growing domestic business, Jurox markets products throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and Europe. Jurox is now turning its attention towards North America. John is a past Chairman of fashion group Palmer Corporation and a past Chair of the Hunter Area Consultative Committee. In addition, John is a past Director of the National Basketball League representing Singapore and Director of Basketball Enterprises. also in Singapore.
Lisa Sutton Gardner
Managing Director - Enigma
Lisa founded Hunter-based creative agency Enigma in 1992. Over the following 20 years she has cultivated it into a vibrant agency with a staff of more than 60 talented professionals. Lisa has worked across a myriad of clients and has extensive experience in advertising and marketing. She has been Group Account Director for clients including Honeysuckle Development Corporation, The McCloy Group, OneSteel, Newcastle Port Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation and Mirvac Development projects. Lisa's commitment to her clients, staff and Enigma itself earned her the 2001 Newcastle and Hunter Chamber of Commerce Young Hunter Business Person of the Year award.
