MEET TEC CHAIRS

Biography:

Derek took over as Chair of TEC 3 in November 2002 having previously been a member of TEC both in Melbourne and Sydney for seven years.

Derek's career can be split into phases - the first part being in the UK as part of a large group and the second in Australia running a number of businesses.

1969 - 1985 Coats Viyella (UK) a large multi national group within which Derek progressed from management trainee to Operations Director of the Group's largest and most successful division. At the time of leaving he was responsible for ten manufacturing plants in the UK and Northern Ireland employing 2,300 people.

1985 - 2005 in Australia as Managing Director of a succession of businesses where he was principally required to operate in a turnaround role. In that capacity he has worked for five different employers and has managed 11 different businesses. The companies include Actil /Textile Industries Australia, Bunge (Australia) Pty Ltd (part of a South American multi national), Merv Brown Apparel Group Pty Ltd (working on behalf of a bank), Macquarie Textiles Group and the National Textiles Limited/Australian Weaving Mills Ltd group of companies. The various businesses involved consumer products marketing, textile and clothing manufacturing, retailing and importing with turnovers ranging from $8m at the individual business level to $130m at the Group level.

Derek experienced the highs and lows of business having been responsible for business expansion involving capital projects worth up to $40m, as well as business rationalisation and divestment programmes and business closures. Experiences included working for overseas parent companies, banks, family owned businesses and being the CEO of a publicly listed Group.

Derek recently retired from Australian Weaving Mills Pty where he was Chief Executive Officer of one of the few surviving textile manufacturing businesses left in Australia.

Education and Associations:

Education includes B Sc (1st Class Honours) Manchester University, M.B.A. Manchester University, Graduate Institute of Marketing, Associate British Institute of Management: Associate Textile Institute.

Personal:

Derek is married with 2 children. His initerests include golf, fitness, swimming, overseas travel and the theatre.

Derek Hodge's TEC Group experience:

Took over TEC 3 at the end of 2002 when the group had gone through a number of member losses. Successfully rebuilt the group to a point where there are an average of 15 members from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds. The group has a good blend of owners and professional managers all managing businesses with revenues varying from $6m to $70m.

Took over KEY 124 in 2006 and built the group up to an average of 17 members from diverse industries. All members are key executives report direct to the CEO most of whom (but not exclusively) are TEC members.

My key beliefs in running my groups are:-

• A culture of openess and honesty
• Challenge and accountability (both in business and outside business)
• Confidentiality
• Caring for each other
• Keeping things fresh and maintaining variety

Members who do not subscribe to the above don't make the cut

Retention in my groups is high with half the members having over 5 years tenure. I do bellieve it is important however to keep groups fresh by introducing 2-3 new members each year, we have successfully done that and in so doing have added to the group's health.