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”.

Professor Justin was appointed to the role of Vice-Chancellor in January 2015. Justin is focused on driving a major growth phase that includes the development of vibrant academic communities across Business & Hospitality, Creative Technology & Design, and Health & Education verticals, continued development and launch of new programs, national campus expansion and the fostering of innovative research programs.

Working in partnership with 75 Laureate Universities, world wide and drawing upon the combined intellectual input of a global academic team it is an exciting and captivating time as the University continues to grow and expand. Justin is Chairing the establishment of a new global research health service partnership with academic colleagues in South America, Spain, United States and Mexico.

Justin 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.

Hugo Contente formally joined Torrens in February 2018. 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.

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 holds a degree in psychology from Universidade de Lisboa, and an MBA from AESE / IESE – one of the leading business schools in Portugal.

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 in 2018 from his previous role as CEO Laureate Italy, where he also led Laureate’s Milan-based design institutions, NABA and Domus Academy. Fabrizio is responsible for Marketing, Customer Experience, Student Administration, Product Innovation, Information Technology, and Domestic Sales. 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.

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.

Paul comes to the role of General Manager, Design & Creative Technology with more than 23 years of industry, academic, business and leadership experience in the design and creative technology sectors. He has been the Director of Product Innovation at Laureate Australia and New Zealand for the past three years, responsible for implementing product strategy and driving best practice in the online/digital learning experience through product management, new program development and enhancement, while ensuring connectivity and collaboration with Laureate globally. Paul has a deep connection to Laureate’s Design faculty, having worked previously in a number of key roles, including Program Director for Digital Media and Head of Learning and Teaching.

Prior to joining Laureate, Paul’s career in education encompasses international experience across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Paul was Program Leader, Digital Media at AUT (Auckland University of Technology) for nine years where he was responsible for implementing a wide range of new design courses, coordinating the development of an interdisciplinary program in creative technologies (combining design, media, computing and engineering disciplines), establishing industry advisory groups for digital media and creative technologies, and implementing new postgraduate study pathways in digital media design. He has also worked for The University of London where he implemented new work-integrated learning programs as well as managing programs geared towards part-time and evening access to education for non-traditional student groups at Birkbeck College. Paul has undertaken research in the field of digital interaction and creativity, and his research has been published in the international journal Digital Creativity. Alongside his career in education, Paul worked as a broadcast graphic designer and art director for a range of major television networks including TVNZ, CanWest and Sky, and also as a freelance designer and consultant on broadcast, film and web projects.

In late 2015 Jerome moved into the role of General Manager of the Hospitality vertical at Torrens and in 2019 his role expanded to encompass the Business vertical. Jerome is responsible for the business direction of the Business and Hospitality verticals, and leading the growth strategy for the verticals which covers BMIHMS@TUA and William Blue College of Hospitality Management. 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 Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) 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.

Kath is responsible for the business direction of the Health & Education verticals and is focused on continuing to grow the verticals both nationally and internationally with a focus on securing partners, quality, governance and workforce development. 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.

In 2018 Mark was appointed as Vice President, International following his previous roles as General Manager, Business, ELICOS & International and Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives at Think. Mark is responsible for the business direction of the 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 Think globally.

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.