James is an actuary and musician working as an independent senior advisor and entrepreneur in Australia and internationally. He values collaboration and partnerships that deliver genuinely positive results for people, communities, and the economy.

As an advisor, James has significant experience with industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector on matters related to strategy, policy, investment, market development, economic development, commercial strategy, growth, regulation, and government administration. He brings deep technical expertise in advanced data analytics, financial and economic analysis, impact measurement, demand modelling, and market and risk analytics. He is also an expert in project direction and management, clear non-technical communication, and effective stakeholder engagement in complex environments. He creates confidence in others through candour, dependability, and translating complex issues into plain language and relatable concepts.

James has the rare combination of a creative and analytical mind. From an early age, he participated in theatre, music, and choral programs at school and in the community. He also learned the different jobs in his family’s (now second generation) fishing business that his parents founded and built from the ground up – peeling prawns, learning the bookkeeping, serving customers in the retail shop, right down to scrubbing the bins out! These early experiences instilled a strong work ethic and a community- and business-mindedness that are reflected today in James’ diverse business and creative portfolio and his approach to work.

James is an Associate of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial Studies and Finance) from the University of New South Wales.

Samuel, Principal at McAtamney & Advisors, delivers tangible business value by blending strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and hands-on execution. Samuel brings significant experience in high level advisory and corporate strategy from his time at Woolworths Group and KPMG. With a calm and inquisitive approach, Samuel rethinks the status quo, crafts effective solutions, builds consensus, and drives projects from vision to reality.

At Woolworths Group, Samuel partnered with retail and foodservice teams to design and lead transformation initiatives that exceeded annual targets and unlocked new growth opportunities. Notably, he spearheaded a reverse logistics optimisation project that transformed a multi-million-dollar cost line into a revenue generator, while also improving customer satisfaction, supplier relationships, and environmental sustainability.

During his tenure at KPMG Australia, Samuel provided strategic, economic, and policy advice to public and private sector clients in complex and uncertain settings. He has advised on a wide range of issues, including economic policy, energy, emergency management, investment, regulation, data analytics, technology and AI, and growth. Samuel also has demonstrated change management leadership through his combined corporate delivery experience and in leading large-scale capability uplift programs. 

A lapsed Canberran, Samuel now resides in Sydney. He holds a Bachelor of International Relations from the Australian National University and is a Certified SAFe® 6 Agilist. Outside of work, he enjoys training for amateur running events and exploring the vibrant food and coffee scene in Surry Hills.

Paul Newson is a Patron, past President, and Trustee of the International Association of Gaming Regulators. He previously served as Deputy Secretary within the NSW Department of Industry, overseeing gambling, liquor, and racing public policy and regulation in New South Wales. Paul was also a Trustee of the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.

With extensive experience in public policy and regulatory oversight, Paul has led high-profile inquiries, strengthened regulatory governance, streamlined compliance frameworks, and championed risk-based supervision. His expertise spans complex and sensitive regulatory challenges across multiple sectors, positioning him as a trusted leader in the field.

Paul is the founder of Vanguard Overwatch, a specialist advisory firm dedicated to advancing public policy and regulatory excellence, strengthening industry capability, and helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments.

Vanguard Overwatch also offers its unique, rigorous compliance accreditation, setting the international benchmark for best practice in the gambling sector. This accreditation ensures operators proactively prevent gambling harm, fortify defences against financial crime, and safeguard their organisations from regulatory risk.

A sought-after speaker, Paul regularly presents at Australian and international gambling and regulatory conferences. He is a graduate of the prestigious Executive Development Program – Confronting Challenges and Embracing Opportunities: Strategic Leadership in the Gaming Industry, a joint initiative of the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business and Extended Studies, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute.

Paul is also the founder of Regulating the Game, an immersive gambling law and regulation conference designed to build individual and organisational capability, deepen sector knowledge, and advance best-practice regulatory approaches. As part of this initiative, Pitch! was introduced to foster innovation, inspire compliance, and excite industry leaders.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics), a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Legal Studies, and a Master of Law & Management.

Kate has over 20 years’ experience working for and with various levels of government, providing strategic advice, project management, analysis and engagement for complex cultural and community projects.
Kate’s unique skills and expertise span government, industry and community sectors. Her experience includes the development and delivery of government strategy and policy, market opportunity analysis, operational planning and transformation, industry consultation, infrastructure and community development initiatives, funding and advocacy programs.

Kate is the director of a boutique consulting firm, Kingfisher and Co., and has established an associate partnership with The Planning Studio to broaden the capacity and skills to continue to deliver high quality projects.

Since starting Kingfisher and Co; Kate has been engaged by a variety of organisations to deliver a range of engagements for local and international clients, implementation plans, place plans, transport and planning research and provided strategic policy advice on complex planning matters and legislation.
Previously, Kate held various senior roles in government, including as Director, Cultural Infrastructure Sydney, Cultural Infrastructure PMO for the NSW Government (Create NSW) and various executive roles at the City of Sydney between 2007 and 2017 including Manager Creative City + Culture and Manager, City Business, Night Time Economy + Safe City.

Kate brings extensive expertise in the development of strategic policies, through to an understanding and delivery of operational planning, funding and governance approaches and systems that respond to the unique challenges of state and local government.

Shawn McAtamney is the General Manager of Independent Seafood Producers (ISP) Pty Ltd, a family-owned seafood wholesaler, retailer, and exporter based in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. With more than 30 years of experience in the seafood industry, Shawn is a prominent leader recognized for his unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the advancement of Queensland’s wild-caught seafood industry.

Born into a fishing family, Shawn’s connection to the sea was forged early under the mentorship of his father, David McAtamney, who established ISP in 1984 after two decades as a commercial fisherman. Shawn’s formative years were spent aboard the family vessel, Ajax II, where he developed a deep understanding of the trade. Today, he leads ISP as one of Queensland’s largest independent seafood suppliers, working closely with local fishermen to deliver premium prawns, lobster, fish, and tropical seafood to markets across Australia.

Shawn is a driving force in shaping the future of Queensland’s seafood industry. As a key representative of the Queensland Seafood Marketers Association, he advocates tirelessly for policies that strengthen the sector, including his successful push for mandatory country-of-origin labelling in Queensland’s hospitality industry—a landmark change that empowers consumers and bolsters local producers. His leadership extends to fishery management, where he collaborates with stakeholders to ensure sustainable practices that protect Australia’s marine ecosystems for generations to come. Known for his strategic insight and hands-on approach, Shawn has become a trusted voice in industry forums, influencing decisions that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.