Advisory Councils

Export and Investment Advisory Board

The NSW Export and Investment Advisory Board (the Board, EIAB) is an advisory body to the NSW Minister for Trade and Investment on measures to grow the NSW economy through the attraction of productive foreign investment and regional headquarters and encourage growth in NSW business activity in overseas markets.

The Board provides advice to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner, on improving the export and investment performance of NSW businesses and on engaging with the NSW Government's Business Offices in China, India and the United Arab Emirates to help them identify emerging opportunities.

The Board and the recently created Multicultural Business Advisory Panel will work closely in supporting the Government in its efforts to attract new business and build close trading and investment relationships particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. It will also ensure strong linkages with other relevant advisory bodies including the Regional Development Advisory Council, Destination NSW and Infrastructure NSW.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner, announced the members of the Board on 18 October 2011. 

NSW Export and Investment Advisory Board Members – 2011 to 2013

The Hon. Warwick Smith LLB FAICD AM (Chair)
The Hon. Warwick Smith AM is Chairman of ANZ Bank Limited (NSW & ACT) and Chairman of Advisory Board of Australian Capital Equity Pty Ltd which holds interests in Seven Group Holdings & Caterpillar franchises in New South Wales, Western Australia and China. He holds Chairman and Director positions with China and Hong Kong companies. He is also Chair of Sydney University's China Studies Centre Advisory Committee and Australia China Council. In 2008, he was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for promotion of international trade and tourism and contribution to philanthropy.

Mr Kenneth Allen AM
Mr Kenneth Allen AM is a Senior Advisor at Lexington Partners and Founder & Chairman Emeritus with Advance. Prior to 2006, he was Australian Consul General in New York responsible for deepening and extending investment, commercial, cultural and sporting links between the USA and Australia. He has served on the Boards of NSW Treasury Corporation, State Bank of NSW, Film Finance Corporation of Australia, Omnicom, Australia Post, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the China Institute in New York. Mr Allen is a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the business and finance sectors, international relations and the community through fundraising.

Mr Michael Carapiet
Mr Michael Carapiet has a wide ranging experience across the major financial markets of the world. He was Executive Chairman of Macquarie Capital and Macquarie Securities retiring in July 2011. He is currently Chairperson of SAS Trustees Corporation, the trustee entity for NSW State Super. He is also the Non-Executive Director of Southern Cross Media Limited (SXL) as well as Deputy Chairman with Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC), a board member of Macquarie Specialised Asset Management who is responsible for a number of funds that manage a range of infrastructure assets globally and Chairperson of the Workcover Authority Board and Workers Compensation Insurance Fund Investment Board.

Mr Nihal Gupta
Mr Nihal Gupta is Managing Director of Digital Electronics Corporation Australia Pty Ltd. Mr Gupta has a 30 year experience in the consumer electronics sector and has a leadership background in sales, marketing and manufacturing. He is a recognised entrepreneur and has a strong background and understanding in international business management throughout the Asia Pacific region and particularly in trade with China. Mr Gupta has been an Ambassador of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, a member of the Australian Government's trade mission to India in 2007 and organised for the then NSW Opposition Leader and now Premier of New South Wales, The Hon. Barry O'Farrell MP a delegation to China and India in 2010. Mr Gupta has been appointed by the NSW Government as Chair of the NSW Multicultural Business Advisory Panel.

Mr John Hartigan
Mr John Hartigan is widely acknowledged as a leading industry figure in Australian media and is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of News Limited, News Corporation's Australian operation. In 2008, he was appointed to the Independent Steering Committee for the Australia 2020 Summit by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and co-chaired “The Future of Australian Governance. In 2007 he led the formation of the media coalition “Australia's Right to Know.” External board responsibilities include: SCG Trustee; Director of The Bradman Foundation and the American Australian Association.

Mr Anthony Hollis
Mr Anthony Hollis is the Principal of Hollis Hochberg, a corporate advisory services provider, and holds Senior Advisor roles with PwC and Kronos. Along with a number of non-executive director roles, Mr Hollis is also a Board Member of the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council. From 2003-10, Mr Hollis was the CEO of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, and previously held executive roles with corporate advisory, investment banking and e-commerce firms and senior executive roles and board positions with companies including Network 10 and TV3 (NZ) (via its then shareholder Canwest Global Communications) and Time Warner companies in Australia and New Zealand.

Ms Katie Lahey
Ms Katie Lahey is Managing Director in Australasia for Korn/Ferry International. Prior to this role, she was Chief Executive (CE) of the Business Council of Australia and has also held CE positions with State Chamber of Commerce (NSW) and Sydney City Council. Ms Lahey is also a Director of David Jones, Chairman of Carnival Australia and Ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. In 2003, Ms Lahey was awarded a Centenary Medal for her contribution to Australian Society in the area of Business Leadership.

Mr John Mullen
Mr John Mullen is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director with Asciano Limited. Prior to this role, he was Global CEO of DHL Express and CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific. He has also held senior positions within the TNT Group. Mr Mullen is a Non-Executive Director of Telstra Corporation Limited and previously, a Non-Executive Director of Brambles Limited and MAp Airports Limited.

Mr Peter O'Byrne
Mr Peter O'Byrne is an independent Director involved with governance and advisory boards for Macquarie University, Australian India Business Chamber and International Governance and Performance Research Centre. He has held board and senior positions at Austrade, Australian Hearing Services, the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, and the Cooperative Research Centre for Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids. Peter O'Byrne's public policy experience includes Australia's Trade Policy Advisory Committee, Asian Trade Promotion Forum, Australian International Cultural Council, Council for Australian-Arab Relations and Council on Australia Latin American Relations.

Mr Mark I Paterson AO
Mr Mark Paterson AO, was appointed Director General, NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services on 1 June 2011. Prior to this, he held a number of senior positions including Secretary and Chief Executive, Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and CEO of Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mark also headed the Retailers Council of Australia and the Retail Traders Association of NSW. In 2007, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Mr Steve Vamos
Steve Vamos is a Non-Executive Director of Telstra and Medibank Private Limited and founding President of the Society for Knowledge Economics. Mr Vamos has over 30 years experience in the information technology and online media industry and has lived and worked in the USA and Asia. From January 2007 to September 2008, he lead Worldwide Sales and International Operations for Microsoft Corporation's Online Services Group and was responsible for the organisation's international business in more than 30 countries. Mr Vamos was Vice President of Microsoft in Australia and New Zealand from 2003 to 2007. The Australian Financial Review has twice included him in the top five listing of the most influential members of the Australian technology industry.