Executive Team

Linda joined Torrens as President on 10 September 2014. Linda is also appointed as CEO Laureate Australia and CEO of Think Education. Linda has more than 23 years of management experience in the education sector in Australia and the United Kingdom. Her background is diverse, incorporating leadership experience in the areas of private, public, government, social enterprise, commercial and education. Linda is recognised at state and national levels as an innovative strategic thinker with leadership skills to drive exceptional business performance and is passionate about education and training for all. Linda was previously Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director TAFE at Swinburne University, Melbourne where she was responsible for maximising the dual sector advantage, driving the sustainability and social inclusion strategies across the University and managing the TAFE Division. Previously, Linda held the position of Director of Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE in Brisbane and was a senior Queensland Government executive with the Department of Education, Training and the Arts. Her global business and educational experience includes Corporate CEO, Futures Stockbroker, Managing Director Dartington Tech UK and Director of Stoke-on-Trent FE College. Linda was also part of the UK Government’s rapid response team for the Further Education Funding Council, utilised to turn around failing colleges, and was part of the UK ‘think tank’ on education as a global business. Linda has presented nationally and internationally on leadership and female diversity and was identified by Management Today as one of “25 Australian women to watch”.

Justin was appointed to the role of Vice-Chancellor in January 2015. Prior to taking on this role, he completed 10 years as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, which required oversight of all academic, educational and research programs. Responsible for budgeting and resource management. He led the academic development of a new $200 million Medical and Nursing School in the South Australian Health and Biomedical Precinct for the last two years. He has demonstrated experience and skills in research, both clinical and policy related, workforce planning, financial and people management, philanthropic funding, leading major capital programs, leading change programs and governance. Justin is a qualified practising General Practitioner, board member and leader in primary care/general practice reform in Australia over the past 20 years, combined with an extensive senior management career at the University of Adelaide. Justin is focused on driving a major growth phase that includes the development of vibrant academic communities across Business, Design, Health and Hospitality verticals, continued development and launch of new programs and national campus expansion.

Hugo Contente formally joined Torrens in February 2018. Hugo holds a degree in psychology from Universidade de Lisboa, and an MBA from AESE / IESE – one of the leading business schools in Portugal. Hugo joined Laureate in 2011 as HR Director for Portugal, following a successful career in HR consultancy, focused on a range of training and development initiatives. In 2014 Hugo moved to Madrid, where he led the Student Services Department for Spain and Portugal, before becoming Vice President, Human Resources in 2016. In early 2017, Hugo transitioned to the role of Organizational and Talent Development Director for Laureate across Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific.

Hugo brings a great deal of practical experience having led Student Services and Human Resources for Laureate in Spain and Portugal, along with a great sense of humour, a naturally collaborative approach, a deep commitment to our mission, and an appreciation of balancing business needs with student outcomes.

Julie’s role includes governance and risk advice, leading major cross business projects as well as supporting the development and implementation of our 2025 vision and strategic planning. Prior to joining Torrens Julie worked at Swinburne University as Director New Ventures and Innovations where, in conjunction with SEEK Ltd, she established Online Education Services Pty Ltd, the Swinburne and SEEK Ltd private company, which provides Swinburne courses online. Before Swinburne Julie was Assistant Deputy Vice Chancellor (Services) at the University of Newcastle and spent a number of years as a senior public servant in New Zealand.

Fabrizio joined Torrens as Chief Operating Officer from his previous role as CEO Laureate Italy, where he also led Laureate’s Milan-based design institutions, NABA and Domus Academy. Fabrizio has twenty years of experience in international marketing and general management in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector. He began his career in the commercial field in Italy, and has worked in senior management positions in France, Spain, the United States and Canada. Prior to joining Laureate, Fabrizio was General Manager of Colgate Palmolive in Europe. Fabrizio is responsible for the following operations of the business:

• Marketing
• Customer Experience
• Student Administration
• Product Innovation
• Information Technology
• Domestic Sales

In his role Scott oversees the finance function. Scott’s previous roles include CFO at Next Athleisure (parent of Glue Clothing and TopShop) and CFO at Retail Adventures. Scott spent six years as Regional Financial Director at Belron Group in the UK, the world’s largest carglass replacement company, operating as O’Briens in Australia. Scott was a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers for ten years and brings to us expertise in leading large complex transactions, including acquisitions and IPOs, developing high performance finance teams and strategic transformation of the finance function.

Jerome started his career started in retail and FMCG, spending 10 years at Nestle Nespresso with a career progressing from Sales Manager UK then General Manager Australia to Regional Director Europe. In 2008 he was made General Manager of Movenpick Ice Cream Australia (part of the Nestle group) launching the first franchise network within Nestle. Jerome then joined BMIHMS Ltd as Marketing Director, taking BMIHMS to premium global positioning. After five years at BMIHMS, he was promoted to the position of COO, responsible for Sales & Marketing, Industry Relations, International Partners Relations and the newly created Blue Mountains Hospitality Consulting division. In 2015 he took the position of General Manager of BMIHMS Ltd. In late 2015 Jerome moved into the role of General Manager of Hospitality vertical at Torrens. Jerome is responsible for the business direction of the Hospitality vertical and leading the growth strategy for the vertical which covers BMIHMS@TUA and William Blue College of Hospitality Management.

Kath Curry has 30 years’ experience connecting people, ideas and practice in the education, health and government sectors. She has built a career as an innovative leader with integrity – from her first job as a nurse, through to her former role as Dean (VET College) at Victoria University. Kath has made an impact in remote NT indigenous communities, in Melbourne’s western region and in international markets. Kath is actively engaged in the skills and policy spheres with published research including an NCVER commissioned study. In 2009, she led significant workforce changes, serving as an advisor to the Western Australian Public Sector Commissioner where 35 of her 39 recommendations were adopted. Kath is responsible for the business direction of the Health vertical and is focused on continuing to grow the Health vertical both nationally and internationally with a focus on securing partners, quality, governance and workforce development.

Mark has been in the role of General Manager, Business, ELICOS & International, after being in the role of Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives at Torrens. Mark has been in international education for the last 17 years, primarily in ELICOS and Higher Education and has lived and worked in a variety of overseas and domestic locations.
Mark is responsible for the business direction of the Business vertical, international student recruitment and admissions, student exchange and trimester abroad programs, as well as establishing and nurturing international pathways within the Laureate network, particularly in the AMEA region. Mark is involved in liaison with our offshore recruitment hubs and potential in country delivery options for Torrens globally, as well as dual qualifications and possible joint programs.

Darryn is responsible for the business direction of the Design vertical. Darryn’s career development has progressed through chartered accountancy, strategic planning, FMCG marketing, financial services marketing, loyalty, direct and digital agency leadership, and brand and retail advertising agency leadership across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.
His career highlights include being the creator and leader of the highly successful GlobalPlus alliance of Air New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand, and Telecom. He also conceived and led the world’s first entry by a bank into the retail telecommunications and energy markets for LloydsTSB. In 2009 when appointed as the CEO of M&C Saatchi he became the first digital leader to take over the helm of a major advertising agency in New Zealand.
He is the founder of the Digital Leadership Group, and is passionate about the need for businesses to adapt to the emerging digital economy.

On January 3, 2018 Adam Smith joined Torrens as General Manager, Education and Corporate Affairs. Adam is responsible for the business direction of the Education vertical.Adam joins Torrens from the US, where for the past three years he held the position of Executive Director, Global Public Affairs, at Laureate’s office in Miami, Florida. In this role, Adam led Laureate’s global Here for Good initiatives, helped establish Laureate as the world’s largest B Corp and Public Benefit Corporation, and led an international team responsible for media, external and executive communication, events, impact reporting, thought leadership, global non-profit partnerships, student experience, and network awards and scholarships.

Prior to joining Laureate in 2014, Adam worked for 15 years in education and philanthropy in Australia, holding positions which included CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians, CEO of Education Foundation Australia, Chair of the Commonwealth government’s Family School Community Partnership Bureau, Board Member of the Australian Council of Educational Research, and Advisor to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership, Principals Australia Institute and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition to this, Adam was a regular commentator on education related issues for Australian media outlets.