CEO and Director Network

Sanjeev Gandhi, Chair  

Sanjeev has been Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Orica since April 2021, previously holding the role of Group Executive and President of Australia Pacific, and Asia since July 2020. Sanjeev is a former Executive Director of publicly listed German Chemical company BASF SE. During his 26-year career with BASF, Sanjeev held several senior marketing, commercial and business leadership roles including Head of Asia Pacific and Head of Global Chemicals Segment (Intermediates and Petrochemicals). Sanjeev is a Member of the Australia India CEO Forum and joint working group for Energy, Resources, Net Zero and Critical Minerals, a Member of the CSIRO Energy Advisory Group (CEAG) and a Member of the Asialink Business Advisory Council.

Vik Bansal  

Vik is CEO and Managing Director of Boral, with over 30 years' experience in executive and senior leadership roles at complex, industrial publicly listed organisations. He has led businesses through significant transition, growth and improvement while pursuing sustainable solutions. Vik previously served as CEO and Managing Director of Cleanaway Waste Management and Infrabuild.  

Sanjay Dayal 

Sanjay is the CEO and Managing Director of Pact Group where he has led the development and implementation of the Group’s strategy and vision to lead the Circular Economy for plastics in Australia. Sanjay previously served as Chief Executive, Building Products, Corporate Strategy and Innovation at BlueScope Steel.  

Vivek Bhatia  

Vivek joined MUFG Pension & Market Services (then Link Group) in 2020 as CEO and Managing Director, bringing over two decades of experience in financial services, technology, government, and management consulting. Vivek was previously CEO of QBE Insurance Group’s Australia Pacific division and CEO and MD of public finance corporation Insurance and Care NSW. Prior to that, he co-led McKinsey & Co's Restructuring & Transformation practice across Asia Pacific. 

Sunita Gloster AM  

Sunita is the Chair of the Diversity Council of Australia and a Non-Executive Director for UN Global Compact Network Australia and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and a Senior Advisor with Accenture. With over 30 years' experience in the professional services sector in Australia and internationally, she is widely recognised for her prowess in media, marketing, customer and technology and was recognised with an Order of Australia for her achievements.   

Tarun Gupta 

Tarun has been the CEO and Managing Director of Stockland since 2021. He brings over 25 years’ experience in the property industry and has held several senior roles at Lendlease, a large listed Australian property company, including Chief Executive Officer, Property Australia, and most recently Group Chief Financial Officer. 

Peeyush Gupta AM 

Peeyush is a Non-Executive Director of several commercial, public sector and non-for-profit boards including Dexus, SBS, NSW Cancer Council and Institute of Chartered Accountants ANZ. Peeyush was the co-founder and inaugural CEO of IPAC Securities, providing financial advice and institutional portfolio management in Australia and internationally. 

Ashok Jacob  

Ashok is Executive Chairman at Ellerston Capital.  Ashok was previously CEO of Consolidated Press Holdings group and Managing Director of Thorney Holdings, the investment arm of the Pratt Group. He is also a director of MRF Ltd. Previous Directorships include Chairman, Mable Technologies; Chairman, Hoyts Cinemas and Director, Challenger Ltd. Ashok received the IABCA  2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also on the Global Advisory Board of The Wharton School. 

Marlene Kanga AO 

Marlene is currently Chair of Rux Energy Ltd and Non-Executive Director of Endeavor Energy, Airservices Australia, and Standards Australia. Marlene is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology Science and Engineering and an international Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. She was previously President of Engineers Australia and also the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO).   

Sweta Mehra 

Sweta is Managing Director of Everyday Banking at ANZ, leading the P&L for all retail products except Home Loans. Sweta previously served as ANZ’s Chief Marketing Officer for six years. Sweta has over 20 years’ experience spanning Tech, FMCG and Finance in both global and regional roles, driving outcomes at the intersection of commercial, tech and customer needs. Prior to ANZ, Sweta held a number of roles at Procter & Gamble in Singapore.    

Naseema Sparks AM 

Naseema is a professional company director currently and has twenty years' experience as an independent director and Chair in ASX and international listed and pre-listed company board roles Naseema has extensive experience in marketing and branding having spent most of her career in senior roles in global marketing and advertising businesses. Naseema’s most recent executive role was Managing Director and Global Partner of M&C Saatchi in Australia, Naseema is a Past President and member of Chief Executive Women.   

Sangeeta Venkatesan 

Sangeeta is an experienced company director and currently serves as Non-Executive Director at Mercer Investments and RSL LifeCare, and as President of Women in Banking and Finance. She has previously held senior global roles with international and Australian financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and The Commonwealth Bank of Australia. 

Tarandeep Ahuja  

Tarandeep is a Partner at McKinsey & Company, leading product development and procurement across the Asia-Pacific region and leads the firm’s energy practice in Australia and New Zealand. He has extensive experience in strategy, procurement and supply chain, operations, and large-scale performance transformations across industries. 

Gautam Chari  

Gautam is a Managing Director and APAC Head of Capital Commitments for Bank of America, overseeing underwriting of equity capital markets, high grade debt and leveraged finance transactions across the Asia Pacific region. Gautam has over 20 years' experience in investment banking and served as Vice President, Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs Australia prior to his current role. 

Christine Holman 

Christine is a Non-Executive Director with over 30 years' experience across media, property, industrial, infrastructure and technology sectors. She is on the Boards of two ASX companies, AGL Ltd & Collins Foods Ltd, and one private company, Indara Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Australian Super and Singtel. Christine also serves on the Board of the State Library of NSW Foundation and the McGrath Foundation to support the digital transformation and community-based funding initiatives. 

Anil Advaney  

Anil is Business Development Manager of International Partnerships with HSBC Bank Australia Ltd. He collaborates with key relationships and HSBC group international teams to create synergy and unlock opportunities across a range of banking services for Non-Resident Indians & businesses. Anil has over forty years of experience in the financial services industry across a range of retail and corporate banking roles.