Meet Our Team
Since its inception, the Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce has been focused on building a strategic, quality practice. The committee members have decades of combined experience and each has a track record of success in commerce or industry.
Duncan Harris, President
Duncan Harris has a longstanding interest in trade and investment with Africa.
A former Special Adviser to the Commonwealth Business Council in London, Duncan had established strong Africa connections. On becoming President of the AACC in early 2018, he was determined to put in place the building blocks that would establish the Chamber as the peak body for such business. His fundamental objective was to make the AACC the conduit to Africa. To do so, he set about creating a series of Partnerships with major bodies – both Government and private. These now include Austrade, Export Finance Australia, and DFAT and with Africa based organisations that provide the all-important on-ground intelligence and access such as Asoko Insight, Invest Africa, Trade Advisory, IHS – Markit and this culminating in Road-Map 2020.
Duncan is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Mossgiel Group, notable for its Corporate Advisory work, and is a director of the privately held Kilmour Investments which has major investments in the forestry industry along with real estate and other asset classes.
Julian Challingsworth, Vice President
Julian served as a Managing Director and Partner of The Litmus Group for over 10 years and a board member of PPB Advisory. He was a Director of Cordence World Wide a global consulting partnership with 2,800 consultants across 60+ locations. Julian worked with the international team to develop sales and growth strategies for the 8 member firms delivering international solutions for multinational organisations in all major continents. Julian is currently the CEO of Tesserent Ltd, Australia’s largest listed Cyber Security firm that provides cybersecurity services to 1000’s of Australian organisations and government departments and agencies.
He also holds a role as Chairman of Radian Energy a Queensland-based energy retailer that serves customers across the National Energy Market and is involved in supporting the transition to sustainable energy for 100,000+ Australian homes and businesses.
Julian is a Charted Accountant (CA) a Fellow of the CPA Australia and holds formal degrees in Accounting, Information Technology, and a Masters in organisational psychology.
Manny Panourakis, Treasurer
Since 1980, Manny has been a Public Accountant and a Sole Practitioner of Manvic Accountants. He runs a Boutique Accounting practice specializing in Income Tax Legislation, Taxation, Accounting, Australian and International financial reporting standards, Superannuation.
He is currently a Fellow member of the Institute of Public Accountants since 1982 and a Fellow member of the National Tax & Accountant’s Association.
He was elected on the Victorian Divisional Council, and on the Board of Directors of the Institute of Public Accountants for 7 years, and served as the National Treasurer, Deputy President, during this appointment he served on the GST committee, Fridge Benefits Tax committee, and Capital Gains committee. He was elected on the Board of Directors of the Association of Accounting Technicians Ltd and served as Vice President and National Treasurer of the Association.
Recently he is the Founder and CEO of Australasia Pacific Dairy Company Pty Ltd.
Linton Tarisai, Committee
Linton brings buyers and sellers of Commodities together to facilitate transactions effectively.
He is passionate about building sustainable mining practices and working towards a world where 3BL green mining is not only achievable but the new norm.
A strategic architect, Linton is experienced in negotiating high-value transactions and is an expert at establishing and maintaining authentic global networks and long-lasting relationships at corporate and Federal Government levels. Linton has a deep understanding of the risks and opportunities of the African commodities market.
With solid ties in Africa and a rich understanding of local mining risks and opportunities, Linton is bridging the gap between African commodities and the rest of the globe, delivering value to stakeholders and building strategic partnerships across the mining value chain.
Linton is an entrepreneur with a passion for solving complex problems, delivering value to stakeholders and building strategic partnerships across the mining value chain. With an MBA, Linton is pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) (sustainable mining practices and the triple bottom line (3BL)).
Captain Ola Olubowale, Committee
Captain Ola Olubowale is an initiative-taking, experienced professional in the oil and gas industry with an entrepreneurial mindset, community driven, and governance outlook.
Ola is a Master Mariner spent his early working days at sea in the Marine Navy, sailed as Cadet, senior officers, and Marine pilot with command. Ola has over two decades of work experience in the international trade and resource industry. He worked with ExxonMobil, Shell, and other international oil companies around the world.
He is a member of the Australian Institute of Management, Fellow of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects UK, and an Associate Fellow of Nautical Institute Uk. The Company of Master Mariner of Australia amongst other international professional bodies.
Ola served as Director Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre in Australia; served in various industry expert groups as a committee member: OCIMF: Oil Companies International Marine Forum in the UK and various industry professional forums.
He is enthusiastic about international trade, Africa business development and blue economy development. He volunteered as a mentor for the Blue Nile African Australian Business Master Class program at the University of Melbourne. He is a career and basketball coach, mentor, and sport committee member for young aspiring leaders within Australian sports communities.
Ola holds an MBA in Leadership and Sustainability in Business from the University of Cumbria in the UK and a Certificate of Specialisation in Strategy from Harvard Business School USA, amongst others. He is an Alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School.
Bill Cole, Committee
Bill is an accomplished trade expert with a wealth of experience across government, industry, and consulting. With a proven track record of collaborating with global businesses, he excels in various facets of trans-national commerce, particularly in the analysis of border regulations' impact on business models and cost results.
Proficient in areas like Import/Export processing, Procurement, Business Development, and market entry, Bill maintains a robust professional presence encompassing both industry and government realms. His influential thought leadership extends to his ongoing PhD research at Murdoch University, concentrating on trade law
Margaret Brett, Operations Manager
Margaret Brett, a seasoned professional, serves as the Operations Manager at AACC. With a wealth of experience under her belt, Margaret has demonstrated remarkable leadership in her roles. Notably, she has excelled as the Manager of International Chamber House, where she held the pivotal responsibility of managing strategic relationships between international bilateral chambers and organizations and the Department. Her focus on trade and investment opportunities from key international markets has been instrumental in driving growth and collaboration.
Margaret's expertise extends to her tenure as the Operations Manager at Australian Trade & Logistics Corporation, where her adept management skills ensured the seamless coordination of operations. Her ability to streamline complex processes and ensure efficiency has been a hallmark of her career.
Margaret's academic achievements further underscore her commitment to excellence. Holding both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Tasmania, she has laid a strong foundation for her professional journey. Her educational background has undoubtedly contributed to her prowess in operational management and strategic relationship building.
As the Operations Manager at AACC, Margaret continues to leverage her extensive experience and strategic acumen to drive the chamber's success. Her leadership, combined with her academic achievements, positions her as an invaluable asset, guiding AACC toward continued growth and prominence in the field of international trade and commerce.
Liep Gatwech, Communications Manager
Liep is a consummate professional and a vital asset within the AACC management team. With a distinguished academic background, Liep holds two impressive degrees from Monash University, reflecting their commitment to excellence and a strong foundation for their role.
Liep is undertaking a Master’s Degree at Monash University and currently holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts double degree, Liep's academic journey has honed his expertise in areas crucial to the chamber's endeavours. Majors in International Relations and Genetics underscore his multifaceted proficiency and dedication to a well-rounded education.
Driven by a passion for people, human rights, and global dynamics, Liep's focus particularly gravitates towards issues concerning the developing world, Africa, and the African diaspora. This unwavering commitment not only enhances his academic pursuits but also resonates powerfully with AACC's mission.
Liep's repertoire extends beyond academia, as he seamlessly transitions his prowess into pragmatic skills. A seasoned content creator and adept social media manager, Liep's proficiency encompasses tools such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Illustrator. This multimedia proficiency amplifies his impact within our dynamic chamber.
Moreover, Liep's dedication to his field finds expression in his contributions to the Young Diplomats Society. Through insightful articles, he seamlessly weaves together his passion for writing and his profound understanding of global affairs, enriching the discourse on international dynamics.
An aspirational leader, Liep exudes an outgoing demeanor alongside demonstrated cross-cultural awareness, making him an invaluable asset within our team. As he navigates his path forward, his commitment to excellence and his multifaceted skills continue to shape AACC's trajectory toward success.