Executives

Gavin Ward -- Chief Operating Officer & Acting CEO - Buying Group Gavin joined Leading Edge in 1980 following a successful 10 year career as General Manager for one of Australia’s household electronics consumer brands. Gavin’s tenure has seen the development of the Group from a team of two to over 500 staff across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Gavin has a passion for retailing and a focused commitment to continued development of the business to meet the changing needs of members and suppliers in a “win-win-win” environment. Gavin is C.O.O. & Acting Managing Director and is responsible for all buying group operations. He is a member of the Audit, Remuneration, Risk and Compliance Committees. He is an active Director and past Chair of the Australian Music Retailers Association, an ARIA and ACMA judge. Gavin has a passion for music, sailing, snow and water skiing as well as off road motor bikes. Simon Allison -- Finance Director & Acting CEO - Business Services Group Intl' (ICT) Simon has been with Leading Edge Group since 2003 and has materially assisted in the growth of the Group through the expansion of Central billing and strategic acquisition; together with the implementation of the necessary funding, financial and IT systems that growth has required. Simon oversees the Financial team, the IT Department, Computer Care Australia, and the Consumer and Commercial leasing business unit. He is a member of the Legal Committee. Simon is a founding Director of the New Zealand and UK operations in the Telecommunications Sector. His experience over many years as a Director and CFO of several companies has been gained in the IT industry, software, investment companies, and the retail markets. Simon is presently acting Managing Director for the Leading Edge Group looking after Technology, Finance, Leasing & Telecommunications in NZ & UK. Stephen Humphrys -- Director Stephen is the Managing Director of Moore Stephens Sydney, a mid tier accounting firm based in the Sydney CBD. He is also the Chairman of the National Board of Moore Stephens Australia Pty Limited. He is also a partner in the Business Services Division and has a wide range of experience in all areas of professional accounting and taxation across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. He provides services to small and medium sized enterprises as well as high net-wealth individual and families. Stephen has a strong interest in business consulting and structuring and has been involved in a number of capital raisings for clients and business development opportunities. He has a depth of knowledge in income tax and GST issues. He has a passion for business and a passion for people. His clients appreciate his pragmatic approach to solving problems. Stephen is married with three children and enjoys strong community ties. His interests include travelling, tennis and music. Carl Olsen -- Chairman Carl Olsen is a career retailer with over 35 years of general management and front-line operational experience gained within some of the world’s most innovative and respected retail companies. Mr Olsen has lived and worked extensively throughout Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, establishing new businesses and restructuring, repositioning and growing existing businesses. Mr Olsen was previously a director of UK-based HMV Group Ltd, then the world’s third-largest music retailer, establishing its Australian operations and directing its Asian expansion strategy. He was also the founding CEO of Toys R Us Australasia, and subsequently Managing Director of Warner Bros Home Entertainment during which time he was Chairman of the DVD forum which orchestrated the launch of the format in Australia, and Vice-Chairman of AVSDA.Prior to this he held senior management positions within Carrefour SA, the French Hypermarket Group, as well as J. Sainsbury plc., Asda Stores Ltd and the Dixons/Currys Group Ltd in the UK. Mr Olsen is currently also non-executive Chairman of Regency Media Ltd, and a Director of Retail Horizons Asia-Pacific, a retail consultancy he founded in 1998. He holds an honours degree in Economics from London University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr Olsen is a member of the Leading Edge Group Remuneration Committee and the Audit Committee. David Mills -- Chairman Remuneration Committee and Legal Committee Mr Mills has extensive legal practice and is a Professional Company Director. He was a partner of the law firm Stuart & Mills in Sydney for some 30 years specialising in commercial and corporate legal matters for small to medium enterprise and large corporate clients. He holds various company directorships and secretariats with several medium enterprise businesses in addition to being a director and secretary of Leading Edge. He is Chairman of Leading Edge’s Remuneration Committee and Legal Committee. He is a member of the Law Society of NSW and a Fellow of the Commercial Law Association.