The AALA in collaboration with Herbert Smith Freehills will this year be hosting a series of events with CEOs of Australian companies to explore their views on the importance of cultural diversity in the workplace. These events will be held in Herbert Smith Freehills’ Melbourne office.
The first of these events will be held on the evening of Thursday 15 March and will feature Michael Byrne, Managing Director of Toll Group, and Adam Martin, Chief Legal Officer of Toll Group. Jing Zhu, a Melbourne-based barrister and AALA committee member, will lead a discussion with Michael and Adam about Toll’s focus on improving cultural diversity and increasing cross-cultural competence amongst its workforce.
The speakers will also discuss the wider importance of such issues for Australian businesses, especially businesses who engage in Asia, and the legal profession in Australia.
This is a unique opportunity to hear from leaders in the business world about diversity issues facing Australian businesses and the legal profession. Details about later events in the series will be provided in the future.
We hope you can join us.
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Michael Byrne, Managing Director, Toll
Michael Byrne was appointed Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Toll Holdings Limited on 1 January 2017.
Michael’s appointment follows a distinguished 30 year career in executive positions both in Australia and internationally in the logistics, supply chain, retail and property industries. Previous roles include Chief Executive Officer of Coates Hire, Linfox and Westgate Holdings, as well as Non-Executive Director of Australia Post.
Michael currently serves on the Ausgrid Asset, Management, Finance and Operator Partnership Boards. He is also a member of the NSW Freight AdvisTHUory Council.
Previously, Michael has been on numerous government boards advising on transportation, infrastructure, food security and security matters. He has also held board positions with OzHarvest (a food charity) and education committees for Victoria University and the University of Denver.
Michael holds a Master of Science in Transportation and Infrastructure from the University of Denver, USA. He completed management training at the Darden School of Management at the University of Virginia, as well as the International Management Program at the MIT Sloan School of Management, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2017, Michael became the inaugural Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics at Deakin University.
Adam Martin, Chief Legal Officer, Toll
Adam Martin was appointed Chief Legal Officer at Toll in June 2017.
Adam joined Toll as a result of the acquisition of Finemore Holdings Limited in 2001, where Adam was the sole inhouse lawyer. Prior to his role at Finemores, Adam worked in an in-house position in the UK, as well as a private legal practice in Sydney.
Under Adam’s leadership and direction, Toll’s corporate legal team has grown from two lawyers to a team of approximately 30 lawyers who support Toll’s global operations. As well as building out the legal team and processes across all areas of the organisation, Adam has been instrumental in supporting Toll’s aggressive growth by acquisition.
Adam holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of NSW.
