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our Purpose
Driving bilateral growth
Bringing together business and government to create greater prosperity and security for Australia, New Zealand and our region.
The Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) plays a vital role in fostering economic and strategic collaboration between Australia and New Zealand.
Throughout the year, ANZLF convenes industry roundtables, bringing together business and government leaders from both nations to drive meaningful progress. This engagement culminates every 18 months in a high-level Leadership Forum to advance opportunities to deepen the relationship.
The ANZLF operates under the guidance of a high-level Steering Committee, composed of CEOs from leading trans-Tasman businesses. It includes ANZLF members from key sectors and industries that align with the long-term priorities of the trans-Tasman relationship.
In addition to its broader industry engagement work, the ANZLF also develops emerging talent through the ANZLF Emerging Leaders programme, and supports the growth of Indigenous and Māori business, through the Indigenous Business Sector Group.
Our leadership
The Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum is led by a Steering Committee of 20 CEOs from leading trans-Tasman businesses.
The Committee is co-chaired by John Paitaridis and Greg Lowe.
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John Paitaridis
Australia Co-Chair
John Paitaridis (JP) is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of CyberCX. CyberCX is the leading cyber security organisation in Australia and New Zealand, with a growing global presence and offices in the UK and USA.
John is a recognised leader in the technology industry and business community. He is committed to the digital future of Australia and New Zealand, with a proven ability to translate vision and strategy into execution and results.
Greg Lowe
New Zealand Co-chair
Greg became Beca's Strategic Growth Advisor in October 2023 where his focus is on making an impact on emerging strategic growth initiatives that will enhance future business. Prior to this he was the CEO of the Beca Group since April 2012, responsible for business operations and delivery of strategic objectives group-wide. Joining Beca in 2004 as Wellington Regional Manager, he became Managing Director Australia in 2006 and was appointed to the Beca Group Board in 2010.
The ANZLF Secretariat
The ANZLF Secretariat, under the guidance of the ANZLF Co-Chairs and Steering Committee, is led by Directors in both Australia and New Zealand, ensuring seamless collaboration and strategic direction across both nations.
Director Australia
Ranj Samrai is the Australian Director of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF), commencing in December 2022.
Ranj has worked in the private diplomatic sector for over a decade managing bilateral and multi-lateral engagement programs to advance Australia’s interests around the world. Earlier in her career, Ranj worked in senior roles with large global health and international development organizations. Personally, Ranj is an avid supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club and is on the Board of the Chamberlain Foundation, a Charitable Trust focused on suicide prevention. Ranj has a master’s degree from Monash University.
Ranj Samrai is the Australian Director of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF), commencing in December 2022. Prior to joining the ANZLF, Ranj was the Program Director for the Australian American Leadership Dialogue, a strategic role she held for five years. Ranj has worked in the private diplomatic sector for over a decade managing bilateral and multi-lateral engagement programs to advance Australia’s interests around the world. Earlier in her career, Ranj worked in senior roles with large global health and international development organizations. Personally, Ranj is an avid supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club and is on the Board of the Chamberlain Foundation, a Charitable Trust focused on suicide prevention. Ranj has a master’s degree from Monash University.
Director New Zealand
Jessica Russell is a Senior Policy Adviser at BusinessNZ, where she jointly leads work on domestic and international labour, employment relations, and social policy, ensuring New Zealand employers have a strong and influential voice in global labour policy and analysis.
She represents New Zealand business internationally as Co-Chair of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Committee (ELSAC) and serves as BusinessNZ’s representative on the Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) for both the NZ–EU and NZ–UK Free Trade Agreements, which advises on the implementation of the NZ–EU FTA, and the labour, environment, and sustainable development chapters of the NZ–UK FTA.
With nearly 20 years’ policy experience – spanning international labour standards, global conventions, multilateral engagement, and labour provisions in trade agreements – Jessica has worked extensively across the Asia–Pacific and has led New Zealand’s engagement in labour and social policy forums at both regional and global levels, including the UN, ILO, APEC, and OECD.
Jessica Russell is a Senior Policy Adviser at BusinessNZ, where she jointly leads work on domestic and international labour, employment relations, and social policy, ensuring New Zealand employers have a strong and influential voice in global labour policy and analysis.
Associate Director New Zealand
Simon Le Quesne is the New Zealand Associate Director of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum and a proud citizen of both countries. Simon holds a First-Class Honours degree and a Master’s (with Distinction) degree in International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington. Notably, his MA Thesis, ‘Mixing Business with Politics: The Role and Influence of Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum’, was awarded the Sir Desmond Todd Memorial Prize for best MA thesis in 2011.
Simon’s professional background includes several years as an Economic and Trade Analyst at the Australian High Commission in Wellington, business ownership in Sweden, and a background in the Australian transport, travel, and music industries. Simon currently serves on the board of a disability service and is passionate about the government-business nexus of international trade, especially track-two diplomacy.
Simon Le Quesne is the New Zealand Associate Director of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum and a proud citizen of both countries. Simon holds a First-Class Honours degree and a Master’s (with Distinction) degree in International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington. Notably, his MA Thesis, ‘Mixing Business with Politics: The Role and Influence of Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum’, was awarded the Sir Desmond Todd Memorial Prize for best MA thesis in 2011. Simon’s professional background includes several years as an Economic and Trade Analyst at the Australian High Commission in Wellington, business ownership in Sweden, and a background in the Australian transport, travel, and music industries. Simon currently serves on the board of a disability service and is passionate about the government-business nexus of international trade, especially track-two diplomacy.
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RECENT DISCUSSIONS
Shaping the Future of
Trans-Tasman Relations
The ANZLF brings trans-Tasman business and government leadership together to help Australia and New Zealand prosper. The ANZLF represents a trans-Tasman business voice on government policies and facilitates action at multiple levels: business to business, business to government and government to government.
The Forum enables discussion between senior business and government leaders about ways to improve business, trade and relations between Australia and New Zealand. The centrepiece of the ANZLF is an annual forum for “big picture” thinking and dialogue. This is an invitation-only event for senior business, government and wider community leaders from both countries.
Supporters
The ANZLF is proudly supported by funding from both government and corporate partners. These contributions are vital to sustaining our ability to drive meaningful progress and create lasting impact in areas of strategic mutual interest. The ongoing success of the ANZLF is made possible by the generosity and commitment of our valued supporters.
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Partners
Thank you to the ANZLF Partners. The work the ANZLF does can only continue if the business community and government continue to support it.
