MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wayne Davy - Chair
MBA (Melb), B.Com/LL.B, Dip FP and Cert Acc
Wayne commenced his career as a Barrister and Solicitor working both in Tasmania and London. He also worked for an employer association and was responsible for advice on legislation and industrial relations. Wayne has now had over 25 years experience as a senior executive in financial services industry. Wayne was the Chief Executive Officer of Quadrant Superannuation from 1997 until 2015 and then Tasplan Super from 2015 to 2021 responsible for the overall operation and management of a superannuation fund and financial advice business.
His expertise includes the creation of value in a highly regulated industry through driving a high performance culture that delivers continuous improvement and transformational change to ensure ongoing success in a rapid changing business environment. Wayne is currently a consultant in the financial services industry providing advice on strategic and operational matters.
Daniel Hanna - Deputy Chair
Chair of the TCCI Board Policy Committee.
B.Arts(Hons), PhD
Daniel is the Executive General Manager – Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Federal Group, a position he has held since 2011. Federal Group employs nearly 2,000 people in Tasmania and has operated in the state for over six decades in the hospitality, tourism, retail, gaming, technology and sensitive freight. Prior to this Daniel was Chief Executive Officer at Tourism Industry Council Tasmania and General Manager at the Tasmanian Hospitality Association; and has held numerous senior roles within the Australian Government in Canberra – including in the Department of Finance and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Daniel is a director of Football Tasmania and held the position of Senior Vice President on the Tasmanian Division Council of Property Council of Australia from 2011 to 2019. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the Australian National University and a PhD in politics and public policy from the University of Tasmania.
Lesley French
B.Ed, M.Science, Grad Cert University Teaching, PhD, GAICD
Lesley is the Chair of Whiskey Tasmania Ltd, home of the Hellyers Road Distillery single malt whiskey. The Hellyers Road brand was established n 1997 and has the largest collection of aged single malt whiskey (18 years and over) in Australia. It is a strong presence in domestic and international markets and operates a leading Tasmanian whiskey tourism experience at its Burnie distillery. Hellyers Road;s single malt has won numerous national and international awards, including Australia's best single malt on three occasions.
In her roles as Chair and acting CEO, Lesley has led significant strategic changes including increased production of quality whiskey and whiskey cream, furthering the company's brand recognition and extending it's market reach.
As well as guiding a growing spirit brand, Lesly has direct experience of the dairy manufacturing industry as a non-executive director of Betta Milk for 13 years until the sale of the milk business to TasFoods in 2019. Lesley has also held numerous senior roles within the Tasmanian Government across a range of policy areas including skills, education, economic development, tourism and health. Lesley is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has lectured at the University of Tasmania.
Claire Connelly
BCom (Accounting), FCPA, CIA
Claire is a senior executive and CPA with 20 years of experience in both private and public sectors. Her expertise spans leadership, strategy, business development, HR, project management, financial reporting, risk management, governance and digital transformation.
Currently a Principal at Synectic Accountants and Advisers, Claire provides high-quality advisory and assurance services to a broad range of clients across various industry sectors. Claire is also President of the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a Tasmanian Leaders Program graduate and serves on several Boards and Committees, including the Department of Treasury and Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee. Always striving for success, Claire also represents her profession on several industry bodies and is dedicated to community service and regional advocacy with a deep understanding of local business challenges and opportunities. On a personal level, Claire is committed to enabling positive change and inspiring others.
Becher Townshend
Becher is the Managing Director of Font PR, Tasmanian’s leading Public Relations, government Relations and Campaigning Consultancy, drawing together more than three decades as an award-winning state political reporter and public relations professional.
He is also a director Font Publishing, the publishers of The Tasmanian Country, The Tasmanian Business Reporter and a number of community based papers as well as being a partner in Enterprise Market and Research Services, Tasmania’s leading research and marketing company.
He has been recognised by his peers winning Media Entertainment and the Arts (MEAA) Awards for Excellence in Business and Tourism Reporting as well as Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) Golden Target Awards for his crisis management and campaigning skills.
Awarded Fellowship of the Public Relations Institute in 2014, Becher’s primarily focused on strategic communications advice to business, the community sector, government business enterprises and local government.
Becher is one of Tasmania’s leading advisors for crisis media, reputation management, government relations and media training.
He joined the Board of the TCCI in 2024 and has been on the Board of Tasmanian Small Business Council (TSBC) for the last 20 years.
Katherine Dean
GAICD Graduate Diploma Public Relations, Bachelor of Arts.
Ian Jones
Chair of the Clean Energy Tasmania Committee
Ian is currently the President of Business NorthWest.
Leigh Stalker
Chair of the TCCI WHS Committee
FAII CIP MAICD Grad Dip Insurance MBA
Leigh draws over 40 years of experience in the financial services sector in key distribution, leadership and executive roles throughout Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland. Leigh’s current role is as General Manager/Director with Capital Innovation Insurance Group – insurance brokers.
Leigh is current Vice Chair for National Insurance Brokers Association, (NIBA) – VIC/TAS Division, current Chair for National Insurance Brokers Association, (NIBA) – Tas Sub-Committee, current Board Director for Cancer Council Tasmania, current Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee for Cancer Council Tasmania and previously served as a Board Director for St Rita’s College Brisbane. He is also an active participant in the community on various committees and sporting clubs.
Jill Jetson-Shumbusho
Jill joined Bank of Us in early 2017, after the decision had been made to transition to a Customer Owned Bank. Jill’s most recent banking roles as Head of Sales & Distribution – QT Mutual Bank 2014-16; Chief Operating Officer & Head of Member Services P&N (Mutual) Bank 2010-14; and Regional General Manager – Retail & Business Banking – Westpac 2009-10, have already seen her actively involved in the transition from a mutual to a bank.
Having commenced her banking career working for Trust Bank and its various iterations in Tasmania over a 10 year period, Jill also understands the nuances of the Tasmanian market. Jill has also held a number of other banking and corporate sector management roles including with CBA in Sydney and News Ltd.