I came to Doughnut Economics through studying regenerative economics at Schumacher College in the UK. I returned to the UK from 22 years in Australia to do this.
I've done a few things...
I mostly enjoyed a 15-year senior corporate career (UK then headhunted to be a subsidiary CEO of ASX100) and then a 12-year entrepreneurial journey in Melbourne that brought me much 'success' in the way many measure success. I also became very involved in my local community, leading the chamber of commerce for 4 years, establishing a new tourism association and sitting on the board of my local 'eco-centre'.
In 2009 I converted an existing restaurant I owned into the first 'paddock to plate' cafe/restaurant in Australia (named Slow Down) before 'paddock to plate' existed as a term there. We bought directly from local farmers, producers, brewers, wineries, and distillers and literally had farmers walking in through the front door when we were open and talking to customers about what they were delivering. Provenance became key and telling the story of the food on the plate became our 'thing'.
In representing my business community I also led a local campaign to stop the development of public land by the beach into a shopping centre by stealth. We mustered 9,000 locals and it prevented the development from taking place. A parliamentary inquiry into the government handing voer public land for nothing and an Ombudsman's investigation into the local council exposed much, sacked many but led to me living through a real life Sopranos mini-series which cost me everything I'd built over 35 years and almost my life.
I've seen how corporations work, I've been an entrepreneur creating businesses (I believe in a good way) and I've seen how ruthless and corrupt the system can be when big bucks are involved.
These days I mentor business leaders, mainly in the hospitality & tourism industries and I'm building a tribe of leaders under the banner of "Future of Hospitality" writing articles, doing online events and about to launch a podcast
I'm learning about new ways of running economies so (at the tender age of 61) I can attempt to bring together my experience, skills, knowledge and passion, to contribute in whatever way I can to the change that's needed.
