Our Leadership Team

Kate has more than 15 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director and Board Chair, and 25 years in executive leadership roles in water and land management, strategic planning and sustainability. In addition to her role as Board Chair at Tasmanian Irrigation, Kate is a Non-Executive Director at Yarra Valley Water and Natural Hazards Research Australia, and a Governor of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation. Kate was formerly Chair of Water Stewardship Australia and Zoos Victoria, and a Non-Executive Director at Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and Parks Victoria. Kate has held executive roles in the water industry, local government and in engineering consulting and project delivery organisations. She is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and has degrees in civil engineering, economics for development and business administration.

Laura is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in the food, dairy and beverage industries. She has held key leadership positions, including Managing Director at Bellamy's Australia Limited and Maggie Beer Holdings Limited. Currently, she serves as the President of the Australian China Business Council (Tasmanian Branch) and Director of the Australian China Business Council. She is also a Director, and member of the Risk Committee and the Audit Committee for the Bank of Us. . Prior to her current roles she also served as Non-Executive Director at Export Finance Australia. Laura is recognised for her outstanding achievements, including being named 2013 Telstra Tasmanian Businesswoman of the Year and Telstra Australian Businesswoman of the Year (Private and Corporate). She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has completed prestigious professional development programs.

Judith has more than 40 years’ experience in the agricultural industry as an owner /operator in a diversified family farming business in the Midlands of Tasmania. She has actively participated in community and charitable organisations throughout Tasmania.

She is a Non-Executive Director of the Tasmanian Wool Centre and a Board Member of the Campbell Town Community Services Board, a former board member of Epilepsy Tasmania, the Australiana Fund (Tasmania) and the Tasmanian Foundation, as well as a former municipal councillor.

Hugh was born and raised on a farm in the Fingal Valley. He was a partner in advisory firm KPMG for 24 years, with primary production clients making up a significant portion of his client base. Hugh is currently a Director of the Australian Pacific Airports (Launceston), Director of the Cape Hope Foundation, Ezy Park (Tasmania), Chair of the Launceston Golf Club Futures Fund, Vice President of Northern Suburbs Community Centre, as well as Deputy Mayor and Councillor of the Launceston City Council. He was previously Chair of Primary Health Tasmania, Chair of Scotch Oakburn College, and State Chair and National Councillor for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

Mike has 30 years’ experience in Non-executive Director, CEO and executive leadership roles across water and electricity utilities and local government. He specialises in customer service, workplace/workforce development, project design and delivery, water management and sustainability. He is currently a Non-executive Director at the Ian Harrington Group.

Mike is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has a civil engineer degree as well as post graduate qualifications in management and completed other professional development programs over the last 45 years.

Andrew brings extensive expertise in irrigation, encompassing both water development and the perspective of water users. With more than two decades of experience in farming, irrigation management, and large-scale infrastructure development, he offers a pragmatic approach and a forward-thinking strategic vision for the future of irrigation in Tasmania. He holds a degree in Applied Agricultural Science.

Gene Phair brings more than 30 years’ experience in finance and corporate leadership across both private and public sectors. He has held senior executive roles at Shadforth Financial Group in Tasmania and IOOF Holdings nationally, where his strategic vision and expertise in driving change have consistently delivered outstanding results.

Gene is currently the Chair of the State-Owned Company TasRacing as well as a member of the Racing Integrity Committee. He was previously the Chair of The Hutchins School and Board member of the National Heart Foundation of Australia (Tasmanian Division).

He values honesty, integrity, and empathy, with a deep understanding of the need for prudent risk management. Gene is also deeply involved in the sporting community, with active roles in cricket and AFL.

Mike Joined Tasmanian Irrigation in March 2025 as Chief Executive Officer with 20 years of international experience in leadership roles within the public, private and not for profit sectors. He has substantial experience in collaborating to build large-scale water infrastructure projects for community benefit from a strong engineering background, and experience in food production through aquaculture, centred on high-value species. Recent positions include CEO of Blueline and CEO of PFG Group and Mike has held several board positions. Outside of Australia, Mike has worked in New Zealand, Norway, China, Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Malaysia and Japan. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Masters of Technology from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Tasmania, complemented by Diplomas in Business and WHS. He is a chartered engineer, and fellow-grade member of Engineers Australia.

Sophie is an accomplished leader with more than 25 years of experience in the safety, environment and compliance fields, and joined Tasmanian Irrigation in 2023. As head of the Environment Health and Safety Team at Tasmanian Irrigation, Sophie ensures the organisation operates in an environmentally sustainable and safe manner. With a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Occupational Health and Rehabilitation, Sophie brings a deep understanding of industry best practices, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and environmental sustainability. Her diverse industry experience includes roles in insurance, manufacturing and ports.

Jacob joined Tasmanian Irrigation in 2017 and leads the Company’s Project Delivery team. His principal focus is ensuring projects complete all phases, including detailed design, permits and approvals, construction and commissioning, in a safe manner while adhering to high quality, time and cost standards. Jacob is a skilled leader with more than 15 years’ experience in both the civil and offshore oil and gas construction sectors throughout Australia and Asia. Jacob has a strong project management and engineering background with a Bachelor of Engineering (Marine and Offshore Systems) (Hons) from the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Jacob started his career in Perth, Western Australia after growing up in the north east of Tasmania.

Sam has more than 30 years’ experience in communications strategy, issues management, stakeholder engagement, media, brand strategy and project management. She joined Tasmanian Irrigation in 2023 and leads the company’s stakeholder relations and communications. Sam has extensive government experience in senior communications positions with state and federal agencies and has managed communications and engagement programs for national research organisations and large private sector companies. Sam holds a Masters in Professional Communication and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Emma joined Tasmanian Irrigation in July 2022. She began her legal career as a barrister and solicitor in Tasmania in 2002, then postgraduate studies in London led to extensive legal experience in international maritime law across Europe. Her return to Australia saw her using this extensive background to successfully manage her own legal practice. Emma holds a Certificate in Governance Practice and Membership Grade with CIARB.

Sue joined Tasmanian Irrigation in August 2025 as CFO. Sue has over 30 years of commercial finance experience, including the management of corporate services functions encompassing ITC, procurement and risk management. Sue brings experience from across a number of industries including building and construction, digital, technology and education. Sue is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.