AGM

As part of the development of We Ride Australia, we were very pleased to welcome three new Board members to the Foundation at the recent AGM. A national search and recruitment process conducted through the Australian Institute of Company Directors accepted the nominations of Professor Ian Buchanan, David Steadman and Pete Williams for the Board vacancies.

The new Directors were welcomed at our recent AGM and strategic planning retreat held in Torquay and Melbourne on 30 & 31 January.

Professor Ian Buchanan

Professor of Cultural Studies, University of Wollongong

Ian is an internationally recognised researcher with a track record in building research networks and delivering research outcomes. Ian’s most recent research work has focused on human geography and cycling. He is currently a Chief Investigator on the Australian Research Council funded Discovery Grant “Pedalling for Change: Cultural Geography for Traffic Congestion Innovation”. Ian Buchanan joined the University of Wollongong in 2011.  His previous position was Professor of Critical and Cultural Theory at the Centre for Critical and Cultural Theory at Cardiff University.

Ian brings significant management and governance experience gained from his employment, training and executive roles. Ian has a track record of research engagement with Industry, having held multiple Australian Research Council Linkage Grants.

Ian is experienced in media management and is able to translate complex research ideas so that they are accessible and readily understood. He is a humorous and lively public speaker and has hosted TEDX and other high-profile events.

David Steadman

Dave Steadman – one of the new Directors of We Ride Australia

David is based in Perth WA and is a registered builder with over 40 years’ experience and expertise owning and operating his own companies as well as being an active contributor to various industry organisations as a director and chairman, he has a passion for sports especially cycling and for the promotion of cycling and is an active supporter of his local cycling community.

David designed and patented a unique bike parking and storage system which has grown into a global business and is recognised as a premium brand in the bike parking and storage market. He has single handily built from scratch several highly successful local and international businesses in a diverse range of industries including construction, franchising and fast moving consumer goods.

He has a wealth of experience in all aspects of business on a global level including management, finance, manufacturing, product development, contracting, distribution, sales and marketing.

David’s global expertise will add significantly to the Board’s strategic counsel we rely on for the Foundation’s current pipeline of strategic projects, federal Parliamentary advocacy and national alliance activities.

Pete Williams

Professor-of-Practice (Deakin), CMgr FIML, CPM, MAICD, AMICDA, Bcom

Pete Williams has an extensive career in business, leadership and marketing which he believes will assist deliver great value to help drive We Ride’s goals; specifically, in the areas of building (& communicating) the case for investment in infrastructure and presenting (& marketing) the positive, healthy and safe reality of cycling.

As the CEO and Exec. Director at SimplyHeadsets (division of Infiniti Telecommunications) he lead the outreach and rights acquisition to bring a cycling focused safety product to the Australian marketplace – earHero Sports Headphones.

Pete is also Founder and CEO of the Preneur Group, an Australia based strategic advisory firm with active interests, involvement and investments across a number of global start-up and mature companies.