XREF - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Interim Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
A seasoned finance leader with over 25 years of extensive financial management experience, Avi has held various senior commercial and strategic finance roles with companies such as Citrix, Envestment Yodlee, ANZ Bank, First Wave Cloud Technology, and Ernst and Young.
He has successfully driven an ASX Listing, a strategic sale of a private equity owned tech enterprise, driven various ERP/CRM transformation projects, whilst delivering strategic insights driving business growth, fostering stakeholder engagement through a values-based approach centered on respect, integrity, accountability, and excellence.
Avi holds an MBA in Technology from AGSM UNSW, is a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).
Job Titles:
- Chief Customer Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
Louise has more than two decades of experience in consulting and research, helping organisations use feedback to improve workplace culture, leadership, staff engagement and wellbeing, and customer experience across all sectors.
She has a PhD in Organisational Psychology (UNSW), is a Registered Psychologist, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- CEO and Founder of Tanda
Jake Phillpot is the CEO and founder of Tanda. Jake has over a decade experience scaling a HR software company.
Jake's expertise includes building sales teams, bringing new products to market and international expansion. Jake has a Bachelor of Business (Finance/Accounting) from QUT.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non - Executive Director
- Independent Non - Executive Director, Jon Is a Seasoned Executive With Experience As a CEO, COO, and CFO of Listed Companies
Jon Newbery, Independent Non-Executive Director, Jon is a seasoned executive with experience as a CEO, COO, and CFO of listed companies.
Jon is also an experienced non-executive director, chartered accountant and a graduate of AICD. Jon's strengths in financial management and mergers and acquisitions will provide critical strategic oversight as Xref continues to scale its business operations.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Exec Director
- Founder
- Member of the Board of Directors
Lee‑Martin Seymour is a co‑founder of Xref. He has 20 years recruitment experience across many geographic and market sectors.
For 13 years Lee worked for one of the world's largest specialist recruitment companies. As a result he understands the demands of the employment market and is passionate about pioneering positive change for the long term.
As a serial entrepreneur Lee has identified and successfully leveraged market opportunities to aid innovation in the employment sector.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director of HR and Payroll
With over a decade of experience leading Group HR and Payroll, Melanie has a proven track record of balancing strategic HR initiatives with meticulous payroll management.
An advocate for a people-first approach, Melanie is the driving force behind People Experience at Xref. Overseeing key areas including onboarding, facilities management, pay and benefits, employee events, performance management and engagement strategies. Melanie ensures that the team's needs and experiences are prioritised at every stage of their employment journey. By implementing HR policies that promote respect, equality, and inclusivity, Melanie fosters an environment where all employees feel valued and empowered to thrive.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Non Executive Director
- Hays UK in 1988 As a Trainee Consultant
Nigel has been a non executive director at Xref since 2016 and is Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee . He has 34 years experience in the recruitment industry and spent his career at Hays PLC, one of the world's largest recruitment companies.
Nigel joined Hays UK in 1988 as a trainee consultant. By 1997, he was Managing Director of Hays Australia, and consequently expanded operations to New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. This led to his appointment as Managing Director of Asia Pacific.
Nigel was also a member of the Management Board for many years until he left Hays in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Company Secretary
- Member of the Board of Directors
Robert has more than 40 years of experience in financial and corporate roles, including more than 30 years in company secretarial roles for ASX‑listed companies.
He is a director of Oakhill Hamilton Pty Ltd, a company that provides secretarial and corporate advisory services to a range of listed and unlisted companies.
He is also the Company Secretary of ASX‑listed companies Aeris Environmental Ltd (ASX:AEI) and Vectus Biosystems Limited (ASX:VBS).
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
Recognised for her ability to bridge the gap between IT and business, Sharon has a rich history of program management in both delivery and operational environments. She has developed excellent leadership skills and expertise in managing diverse teams while providing motivation and strategic vision.
Prior to joining Xref, Sharon spent over a year as director of the project management office at the Ivy College in Sydney, earlier she was a major corporate client manager at Sqware Peg, and also a IT&T Project Manager for recruitment specialists Hays.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mr Stianos is widely recognised as one of the most successful and experienced leaders in the IT industry. He is currently the Chairman of Empired Limited (ASX: EPD) and a non-executive director of Gale Pacific Limited. (ASX: GAP) and Chairman of Escient. Mr Stianos was also previously a non-executive director of Inabox Group Limited and the Managing Director of SMS Management & Technology Limited.
Mr Stianos has also previously held senior positions with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Justice, and Department of Treasury & Finance. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Job Titles:
- Chief Revenue Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
With over a decade of experience in pricing strategy and revenue management across diverse industries, Tobi leverages data to develop and execute on commercial strategies that benefit both the customer and the business. Tobi is a member and actuary with the Society of Actuaries and is active in their Entrepreneurial & Innovation chapter.