Andrew Jenkins
Andrew’s career in the music industry began at PolyGram in the UK. He was General Manager of Polydor before moving to BMG, where he was President of International. Andrew has worked with artists such Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul Weller, Freddie Mercury, Van Morrison and The Cure. He served on the Global Board of the BMG Music Group, was the Chairman of ICMP and is a founder board member of IMPA. Prior to the acquisition of BMG Music Publishing by Universal Music Publishing, Andrew served as President of International for BMG and was responsible for signings such as the Bee Gees, Alanis Morissette, Pete Townshend and Iron Maiden.
Bel Harper
Deputy Chair
Bel has worked in the Out of Home media industry in both Australia and North America for over 25 years. At oOh!media, Bel is the Group Director of Product Strategy across oOh!'s 35,000 advertising assets. In addition, Bel leads the positioning and monetisation of Qantas' Clubs, Business Lounges and inflight entertainment media opportunities. Bel was recognised as oOh!'s 2020 Employee of the Year, was awarded the Outdoor Media Association's (OMA) Outstanding Service to the Out of Home Industry 2021 and was a finalist in both the 2021 Women In Media and 2021 Best of the Best in the 'Strategy' category.
Blainey North
Blainey North is the Managing Director of Blainey North and Associates, and Blainey North Collection, an international award-winning architecture and interior design practice. Blainey’s work is recognised worldwide, specialising in luxury hotels, residences, commercial and retail projects around the world. A member of the ACMF Fundraising Sub-committee, Blainey is passionate about the importance of music in developing children’s creativity.
Brian Wexham
Brian Wexham is the Chief Executive of SkillsOne, formally a Federal Government initiative with the mission to promote and advance learning, teaching and training in trades education. Brian is former Chair of WorldSkills Australia. Brian’s background is extensive in media, advertising and publishing, and he has held executive roles with The Times and Sunday Times, The Observer and Today Newspaper in London. He was also the CEO of Lonrho Media PLC in East Africa, and is the author of several successful books and an international cartoon strip. Brian is a passionate proponent of music and committed to the ideals and mission of the ACMF.
Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer is an Australian singer-songwriter and film and television actor. Danielle released her critically acclaimed debut album ‘White Monkey’ through EMI Music Australia in 2001, and in 2010, released her second album, ‘Calling All Magicians’, in the UK and Australia. Danielle has recently appeared on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on the Seven Network, representing the ACMF. The daughter of ACMF founder and CEO Don Spencer, Danielle is passionately committed to the value and development of children’s music education.
Don Spencer OAM
Founder of The Australian Children’s Music Foundation
Don was hitchhiking through Africa when he met up with the legendary Roger Whittaker. It was this chance meeting that started Don’s career as a singer-songwriter which has resulted in over 500 published songs and countless TV, radio and film credits in the UK, USA and Australia. He has many gold and platinum albums. Don toured the UK with the Rolling Stones, The Hollies, The Four Seasons and many other world-famous artists before returning to Australia. He had a long-running role on Play School in both Australia and the UK. In 2007 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to children’s music and television as a songwriter and performer, and through the establishment of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation.
Ellie Aitken
Ellie is Director of Distribution at Pallas Capital, a global equity fund. She is currently admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Holding Bachelor of Law and Master of Commerce degrees, and with two decades of education and experience in investment banking, philanthropy, business and commercial law, Ellie brings a valuable combination of legal, financial and entrepreneurial skills to corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors.
Geoff Wilson
Geoff Wilson is the founder and Chairman of the Wilson Asset Management Group and has more than 40 years’ experience in the Australian and international securities industry. Wilson Asset Management manages a number of listed investment funds, including WAM Capital Ltd, WAM Leaders Ltd and WAM Global Ltd. In September 2014, the WAM Group listed the Future Generation Investment Fund, a ground-breaking listed investment fund with charitable purposes focused on supporting organisations working with children at risk, including the ACMF.
Louise Pocock
Louise is an experienced governance professional. She regularly advises clients and writes about the latest insights and thinking on corporate governance. She was the Deputy Executive Director of the AICD’s Governance Leadership Centre. Prior to this, Louise practised as a lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills, specialising in dispute resolution. As well as being actively involved in the not-for-profit sector, Louise is a children’s author and poet, as well as a former music teacher, and is passionate about the benefits of music and creativity for children’s wellbeing.
Mary Lin
Mary Lin is an Associate Director and International Relations Manager at Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty. Mary has over a decade of real estate experience in luxury residential and commercial real estate and holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Business and Sociology and a Master of Public Relations and Advertising. Mary is actively involved in not-for-profit organisations, charity, fundraising and also enjoys being a DJ. Mary is passionate about building a stronger generation through music therapy to assist with the mental, cognitive and emotional development of our future generation.
Matthew O’Sullivan
Previously the Company Secretary and General Manager of the Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL), Matthew is now a Senior Associate at Sparke Helmore Lawyers. Always a music lover, Matthew is passionate about creators’ rights and the importance of music education for children, and the crucial work of the ACMF. Matthew is also a councillor of Music Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Music’s Creative Industries Advisory Board.
Michael Carmody
Michael Carmody is employed at Centennial Asset Management and has more than 20 years’ experience working in the Australian equities market. During his professional career, he has worked in numerous roles within Investment Banking and Funds Management. Michael has been actively involved within the not for profit sector, including as an indigenous student mentor and community homeless kitchen volunteer. He is passionate about making a contribution to the community and is committed to delivering the benefits of an integrated music program for disadvantaged children.
Mikael Borglund
Chair
Mikael Borglund is a founding shareholder of Beyond International in 1984. During an outstanding career in the film and television industry, Mikael has been the executive producer of a number of Australian award winning feature films and hundreds of hours of television, produced by Beyond for broadcasters around the globe. His credits include a host of internationally successful shows. A highly regarded member of the Australian film and television industry, Mikael was elected to the council of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) in 1994, and appointed to the Board of the Australian Film Institute in 1997 – 2005.
Peter Northcote
Peter Northcote is arguably the most recorded guitarist in Australian history. He is one of the busiest session musicians in Australia today. Being the first call for jingles, Pete has played on just about every ad since the mid-80’s. Having twelve library/production albums under his wing, his compositions have had regular spots on Oprah, Dr Phil, and sports programs globally. Pete has recorded and performed with a myriad of musicians, including Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Yothu Yindi, Elton John, Cher, Shania Twain, Daryl Braithwaite, Guy Sebastian, Dragon, Human Nature, and Jenny Morris. Pete lectures at major music universities and truly understands the connection, compassion and creativity that can only be gained by the teaching of music at an early age.
Shane Hearn
Professor Shane Hearn is a respected and proud Noongar man, his Boodja, (place of birth) is Esperance, WA. Shane is the CEO for First Nations Media, the national peak body for First Nations not-for-profit broadcasting, media and communications. Shane has a distinguished record in the fields of social marketing, health and higher education. He has curated national campaigns, was the first Pro Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy for University of Adelaide, and has held senior roles in Policy, Communication and Media. He is a thought leader, systems thinker with extensive experience in transforming organisations to meet the goals of reconciliation, and to enhance organisations impact when working with First Nations communities. He is passionate about future proofing First Nations empowerment and self-determination.
Trudi Yip
Trudi Yip is Founder and Managing Director of Numeric Eight, a successful bookkeeping and tax practice which has been servicing clients for over 15 years. Trudi established Numeric Eight to combine her love of numbers with her passion for mentoring other business owners. Under Trudi’s leadership Numeric Eight has flourished into one of Sydney’s leading bookkeeping and accounts management firms. Trudi believes the strongest relationships are built through trust, honesty and respect with clients and her team. For more than 80 years, or three generations, her family runs one of the largest fresh vegetable agents at Sydney markets. She still gets up before dawn to help her family business before continuing her day at Numeric Eight. Trudi believes music is a global language and every child should be able to benefit from the experience and joy that music brings.