Executive Leadership Team

Senior Management Biographies

Lance Hockridge - Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
FCILT, FAIM, MAICD

Lance Hockridge

Lance joined QR Limited as Chief Executive Officer in 2007 with extensive experience in the transportation and heavy industrial sectors in Australia and the United States.

During a 30 year career with The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (now BHP Billiton Limited),and BlueScope Steel, he was a member of the leadership team that led to BlueScope Steel’s successful demerger from BHP and the creation of a new publicly listed company.

In 2005 Lance was appointed President of BlueScope Steel’s North American operations where he led a major turnaround in safety, production and financial performance. Other roles at BHP included Human Resources and Industrial Relations, General Manager of BHP Transport, head of Long Products Business and President of Industrial Markets.


Michael Carter – Executive Vice President , Network
B Eng. B. Bus. MAICD, AFAIM

Michael CarterMichael has broad experience in leadership roles over a 25-year career in the rail industry, including freight, passenger and heavy haul rail operations.

He was Advisor to the London Underground during its restructuring and is Director of the Rail Industry Safety Standards Board, the Australian Logistics Council and the Australasian Rail Association. Michael is also a former member of Union of International Railways World Executive Council.


Lindsay Cooper – Acting Executive Vice President, Operations
Assoc Dip M(Eng), Grad.Cert. Legal Studies

Lindsay CooperLindsay has more than 38 years of experience in the rail industry with extensive specialist expertise in heavy rail engineering, manufacturing, project management, asset management and optimisation.

He was previously Executive General Manager of QR Services (now part of Network Services), where he led the business through a significant period of transformation.


Ken Lewsey – Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development
BBus

Ken LewseyKen has over 20 years’ experience in the logistics, steel distribution and manufacturing industries. He has an extensive background in leading large and complex business groups. His experience covers strategic planning, marketing, business development, business integration and leadership of senior executive teams.

Ken was previously CEO of ARG, the bulk freight subsidiary of QR Limited, and has also held roles with Brambles including Managing Director of Cleanaway Industrial and Regional Director of Brambles Industrial Services.

Ken has also held senior and general management roles within the steel industry, including Smorgon Steel and BHP Steel.



Deborah O’Toole - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
LLB

Deb O'TooleDeborah has extensive experience and expertise as a chief financial officer (CFO) for listed companies in a range of industries.

She was appointed as QR’s Chief Financial Officer in December 2007 after a career that included 20 years in the mining industry. She was CFO of MIM Holdings Limited for six years and is a former CFO of Queensland Cotton.

Deborah is a Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for CSIRO.

She is a former Director of companies including Norfolk Group Ltd and has served as a member of the Queensland Biotech Advisory Council and the Advisory Committee for the Banking and Finance School of the Queensland University of Technology. She has also been a Member of the Workers Compensation Board of Queensland, Queensland Country Health Society and subsidiary companies of MIM Holdings Ltd including overseas corporations.


Greg Pringle – Executive Vice President, Enterprise Services
BA (Politics and Economics), LLB, Post Grad Dip.Ind Relations, MBA(UQ)

Greg PringleGreg has a depth of senior management experience and knowledge acquired through a diverse professional and business career in which he held various senior executive roles in governance, risk management, law and compliance.

He is currently a serving member on the Board of Trustees of the Prudential Regulator to the Travel industry (TCF).

Greg was previously the Group Company Secretary for Flight Centre Ltd and is also a past Magistrate, senior lawyer and strategic risk management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.



John Stephens - Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
BBus

John StephensJohn has more than 25 years’ experience in industrial relations, human resources and other senior management positions. His most recent role before joining QR National was as Vice President Human Resources with BHP Billiton.

During his time at BHP Billiton John held a range of senior HR roles in Australia, Indonesia and Canada. With extensive experience in the mining sector, he has a strong understanding of QR National’s key markets.

 

Greg Robinson - Executive Vice President, Business Sustainability
BBus

Greg Robinson

Greg has had significant domestic and international experience in manufacturing and distribution businesses. He has had experience in driving business improvement and has a background which includes performing senior Business Leadership, Business Integration, Finance and Business Development roles.
 
Greg was previously General Manager of Lysaght Australia, a Division of BlueScope Steel and was also Regional General Manager Butler Manufacturing in the United States. Prior to performing these roles in BlueScope Steel Greg spent 20 years with BHP in BHP's Minerals and Petroleum businesses.

Paul Scurrah - Executive Vice President, Commercial & Marketing

John Crofts

Paul has a wealth of experience in the tourism and travel industries where he worked in a number of senior executive roles with QANTAS, American Express, Ansett, Tourism Queensland and Flight Centre.   His most recent role before joining QR National was CEO of Queensland Rail.

He has forged a career around customer service excellence and was recently awarded the CEO of the Year Award (Public Sector) for the Customer Service Institute of Australia