history

 

PROFILE ‑ JOHN ROBERT LEE  B.Com. B.Ed. MBA (Melb) FAICD GIA Cert

John's initial career activities included two years as the Training Manager at Myer Melbourne and six years in middle and senior management levels in the Central Office of the Federal Department of Employment and Industrial Relations. From 1965 to 1972, was a member of the Army Reserve, then the Citizens Military Forces, posted to the Australian Intelligence Corps, involved with the training of recruits and officers in matters ranging from basic training, military law through to counter intelligence procedures.

• •  

After more than 2 years as Chief of Staff, Principal Private Secretary and Principal Adviser to Tony Street, a senior Federal Cabinet Minister, John was appointed General Manager, Personnel and Corporate Affairs at Henry Jones IXL in 1979.  Subsequent mergers and acquisitions  resulted in added responsibility as General Manager, Personnel of Elders IXL Limited,  combined with involvement in project and acquisition activity reporting to CEO John Elliott.

In late 1983, John was appointed National Controller, Elders Building Supplies, responsible for 21 building  supplies centres throughout Australia, with a turnover of more than $60m a year.
In February 1985, John joined Woolworths Limited as Chief General Manager Corporate Services, with responsibilities for personnel, industrial relations, safety, training, workers compensation, insurance, public relations, investor relations, store security, and subsequently, store design, construction and equipment purchasing for all new stores. Woolworths then had a turnover of some $6 billion pa., over 1000 stores and 65,000 staff.

As a member of Woolworths Executive Committee, John was involved in financial, strategic and operational decision making, including the acquisition of Safeway's Australian interests and the disposal of Woolworths 50% stake in Chandlers Limited, electrical retailers.  John also represented Woolworths on the Boards of LD Nathan Limited ( New Zealand) Chandlers Limited and Dick Smith Electronics Limited

In July 1987 John formed Stockholder Relations, a management consultancy specialising in corporate advisory, investor relations and corporate governance.  Activities undertaken included providing strategic and operational advice to companies in their dealings with institutional investors, stockbrokers, shareholders, financiers and the financial media. On behalf of a range of clients, John has worked in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, the USA and Canada. In addition to consulting to a wide range of small to medium listed and private companies, John was appointed to a number of private company boards, including Richard Oliver International Pty Ltd.

In  February 1996, John was  appointed as a Director to a number of companies associated with listed company, Development Capital of Australia Limited, including  DCA Corporate Services Limited,  Expamet Pty Ltd (Chairman)  and Retirement by Design Limited, formerly Jennings Retirement Villages.        
                                           
As a non-executive director, John has been involved with issues such as strategic reviews, enhanced financial reporting procedures, international expansion and senior management succession. 

 

John is currently a director of a number of listed and unlisted public companies, including LaTrobe Magnesium Limited (listed), BeneTerra Pty Ltd. and a former Chairman of Panbio Limited (listed), Progen Limited (listed), Online Advantage Limited (listed) former Director and Chairman of EcoAir Limited (listed), and a former director of Focus Technologies Limited (listed) and TMG International Pty Ltd.,Guild Commercial Limited, Guild Insurance Limited, PPB Technology Pty Ltd., Provider International Pty Ltd.,and associated companies.

A Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a former Deputy President and Councillor of the State Chamber of Commerce NSW, and a Certificated Member of the Governance Institute of Australia, John has a broad range of skills and experiences to assist large and medium sized public and private companies.

 

November 2024