Board of Directors: About Us @ UniCentre

Board Of Directors


Chris Grange BA MCom Executive Chair Director since: January 2005 Since 2005, Chris has been the Vice-Principal (Administration) of the University of Wollongong and Secretary to the University Council. Within the University, Chris is responsible for the Academic Registrar's Division, Accommodation Services, Facilities Management, Financial Services, Personnel Services and the Innovation Campus. He has worked at the University since 1988 and was previously Director of Personnel and Financial Services.	Mike Gillmore Executive Director, Company Secretary, General Manager Director Since January 2009 As Executive Director and General Manager of Wollongong UniCentre Ltd, Michael’s responsibility is across the direction and accountability for UniCentre as a complete entity. Prior to this role Michael was General Manager for the UOW Accommodation Services Division for 4 years and before that worked in the Facilities Management Division since 1997. Michael’s experience before coming to the University of Wollongong was in the Hospitality and Support Services sectors providing hospitality based services to commercial organisations, major sporting/leisure venues as well as 4 and 5 star Hotels in Sydney and the ACT.

Brian Ward BBus, CPA, MBA, GAICD Non Executive Director Director Since August 2002 Brian has extensive experience in both the private and public sector in a range of senior management roles. As the principal of B Ward & Associates, Brian specialises in consulting services in the areas of corporate governance, organisational restructures, change management, performance audits, financial analysis and process and business improvement. Prior to this Brian held senior management positions with Parliament of NSW and Port Kembla Port Corporation. Brian is a University of Wollongong appointed Director to UniCentre.	Mary Youssif B.Com, M.Stud.Accy, FCPA, ACIS, RTA, JP Non Executive Director Director Since August 2004 Mary has held various senior and executive positions within the Coal Mining and Chemical Manufacturing Industries for 15 years. She also worked for the University of Wollongong between 1993 and 2001 in Chief Accountant and Project Management positions. During that time she was the Vice-Chancellor’s representative on the UniCentre’s Children's Services Management Committee. Currently she operates her own accounting practice locally. Mary has been a director on the Board of Community Alliance Credit Union (The Illawarra Credit Union) for the past 21 years and is in her fourth term as serving as Chairman of the Board. During her time she formed and Chaired their Audit Committee, was on their Strategic Planning Committee for 4 years (Chair for one year). During 2010 and 2011 she was Chair of the Governance Committee and currently continues to serve on this committee.

Walter Immoos Non Executive Director Director Since August 2010 Walter commenced his career in 1969 as an apprentice chef. He worked in various hotels through Europe in the kitchen until 1978. Walter attended hotel school in Lausanne, Switzerland & completed his hotel management diploma. Walter has worked for nearly all major hotel brands including the Hilton, Westin, Sun International and Holiday Inn. He came to Australia in 1989 to open Peppers on Sea Terrigal. Walter then converted this property to the very first Crown Plaza brand in Australia. In 1994 he then transferred to the Holiday Inn Menzies, which he converted to All Seasons Premier Menzies in 1996. In 2000 ACCOR bought the All Seasons group and hence, Walter commenced his career with ACCOR. During that year the Menzies was the official family hotel for the Olympic Games. At the end of 2005 Walter transferred to the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach where he is today as General Manager. Walter’s interests include art, history, tennis and golf.	Dean Young Non Executive Director Director Since February 2011 Dean started his career working as a Trainee Accountant for a local council in the UK. He qualified as an Accountant in 1997, shortly after joining an Investment Bank in London as a Management Accountant. In 2002, Dean commenced his career in Property working for CB Richard Ellis as a Financial Controller responsible for the Europe, Middle East and Asia regions. Having migrated to Australia in 2005, he joined AMP as a Divisional Finance Manager responsible for various Shopping Centres within Australia and New Zealand. In 2006, Dean became the Centre Manager of a Shopping Centre in Sydney, before transferring to the Illawarra responsible for Dapto Mall. At the start of 2010, Dean moved to Wollongong Central where he is today the Centre Manager for the GPT Group. Dean's interests include all sports, primarily football, golf and tennis.

Eloise Young Non Executive Director Director Since October 2011 Eloise is a 4th year Law/Communications student majoring in Digital Communications. She is a current student member of the Law Faculty Committee and is also the 2011 WUSA President, as well as holding a 2011 student position on the Academic Senate. Eloise also held the role of Events officer on the 2011 UOW LSS, is an active member of the Evangelical Christian Union on campus, and sat on the 2011 Student Conduct Committee, as well as the Student Support for Learning Subcommittee. Eloise worked as a team leader in the UniCrew Volunteer program in 2010, and has worked on various volunteer projects at UOW. Eloise ran for the Board because she is passionate about improving the UOW student experience, standing up for students’ rights and ensuring that the student voice is clearly and appropriately articulated.	Matt Greiss Non Executive Director Director Since October 2010 Matt is a 5th year Law/Commerce student majoring in finance. He is a current member of UOW Law Faculty Committee and has held a number of other representative positions during his time at the University. Matt has worked in Local Government for a number of years and currently holds a position within the Information + Governance Division of Wollongong City Council where he provides support and advice in the area of City Planning.

Ian Murray Non Executive Director Director Since October 2010 Ian is an undergraduate student currently studying a combined Law and Commerce degrees. Since commencing his studies at the University of Wollongong in 2009, Ian has been an active member on university campus engaged as a member of several student societies and UniCentre clubs. Outside the University, he maintains a dynamic connection to wider community through his sporting interests and his involvement in numerous community groups. Ian will bring to the board an enthusiasm for corporate governance and will ensure that UniCentre will continue to enhance the student experience at the University of Wollongong.	James Parrish Non Executive Director Director Since October 2010 James is an undergraduate student in his fourth year of a combined Arts-Law degree. James has lived in Wollongong all his life, graduating from the Illawarra Grammar School in 2008. James is a passionate member of the University community and, since January 2012, has represented the student body on the UOW Council as the Undergraduate Student Representative. In previous years James also served on the Academic Senate and Academic Senate Standing Committee. He also continues to hold executive positions in a number of UniCentre clubs on campus, and greatly values the social support and networking opportunities provided by the Clubs and Societies make-up. In addition to his university commitments, James is an articled clerk at one of Wollongong’s largest law firms; as well as also training as an Officer Cadet in the Australian Army Reserves.

Theresa Hoynes Non Executive Director Director Since October 2011 Theresa commenced her career as a Social Worker at Wollongong Hospital. She worked in various roles across the regional health service moving into senior planning and performance management positions. After 15 years in the health sector, Theresa joined the University of Wollongong as Senior Manager Policy and Governance and then Executive Manager in the Faculty of Commerce. In this role Theresa is responsible for Faculty services to students in five education centres across NSW and off-shore locations, ensuring administrative support for all core Faculty functions including student services, marketing, recruitment, teaching and learning support, research administration, policy, governance, events, strategic planning and performance. Theresa has served on various boards for children’s services and not- for- profit organisations and numerous committees at the University. She completed her Masters in 2010.	Jo Fisher Non Executive Director Director Since August 2007 Jo is the General Book Buyer for the UniShop. She has been employed with the UniCentre since 1993. Jo has previously studied in Welfare and Librarianship. She has written articles for the Bookseller and Publisher magazine as well as submitting her short stories for various literary awards. Jo also has five children, four of whom have attended Kids Uni. Jo is also on the University of Wollongong Cares committee as well as being a member of Women on Boards.