Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Annual Report 2018-19

EXECUTIVE TEAM AS AT 30 JUNE 2019
Director and Chief Executive
(2013)
Professor Timothy J Entwisle PhD,
BSc (Hons)
Responsible for leading and promoting
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to achieve
the highest standards in horticulture,
science, financial management and a
broad range of visitor and education
programs. Professor Entwisle is a
highly respected scientist, scientific
communicator and botanic gardens
Director. He took up the role of Director
and Chief Executive of Royal Botanic
Gardens Victoria in March 2013, following
two years in a senior role at Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew, and eight years as
Executive Director of the Royal Botanic
Gardens and Domain Trust in Sydney.
Professor Entwisle is an Honorary
Professorial Fellow at The University of
Melbourne, and a regular contributor to
print, radio and social media.
Executive Director Melbourne
Gardens (2010)
Chris Cole Dip Hort (Kew)
Responsible for horticultural
planning and operations, including
landscape planning, management and
development of living plant collections,
and nursery operations at Melbourne
Gardens. Mr Cole is also responsible
for arboriculture and management
of site facilities and infrastructure
and provides strategic direction for
the implementation of Master Plan,
Integrated Water Management and
Landscape Succession projects at
Melbourne Gardens. He has 20 years’
experience in public and botanic
gardens management and has worked
at Hampton Court Palace, National Trust
and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Executive Director Science (2006)
Professor David Cantrill PhD,
BSc (Hons)
Responsible for directing research into
plant biodiversity, systematics, and
conservation and management of the
State Botanical Collection. This entails
statutory responsibility under the Royal
Botanic Gardens Act 1991 and the Drugs,
Poisons and Controlled Substances
Act 1981. Professor Cantrill worked as a
senior research scientist in Europe for
15 years, first for the British Antarctic
Survey in Cambridge and later at the
Swedish Museum of Natural History in
Stockholm. He has published over 120
scientific articles; is an editor of Grana, an
international journal for pollen studies;
and sits on several international editorial
and scientific advisory boards. His
research interests focus on integrating
information from fossil and living floras to
understanding the origins of patterns of
diversity in the southern hemisphere. He
holds an honorary professorship with the
School of BioSciences at The University
of Melbourne.
Executive Director Engagement
and Impact (2016)
Robin Penty MFA, BFA (Hons)
Responsible for leading programming
and audience development, visitor
experience, access, fundraising,
marketing, communications, business
development, retail and tourism. An
experienced executive leader, Ms Penty
has held senior and national leadership
roles in business development, strategic
partnerships, programs, marketing and
communications for The Smith Family,
the Alcohol and Drug Foundation
and The University of Melbourne. She
was head of participation and public
programs at Arts Centre Melbourne for
six years. With a lifelong commitment
to social inclusion, entrepreneurship
and creative partnerships, Ms Penty has
worked in diverse roles as executive
producer, arts and cultural programmer,
researcher, strategy and business
planning consultant, educator, and
practising artist. She maintains a close
interest in supporting the professional
development of all members of her team,
in particular fostering opportunities for
young and mid-career women as they
navigate a senior leadership career path.
Her group is also the largest employer
of Aboriginal-identified roles and staff
across the Gardens.
Executive Director Cranbourne
Gardens (2001)
Chris Russell BSc (Hons),
Grad Dip Land Rehab
Responsible for the leadership,
management and operation of
Cranbourne Gardens encompassing
the Australian Garden and significant
conservation areas, including horticultural
planning and operations, natural
areas research and management, and
development and implementation of
the site’s Master Plan. Mr Russell is also
responsible for delivery of capital works
projects, strategic input into land-use
planning and relationship management
in the region, organisational occupational
health and safety, and aspects of
environmental systems management
across the Cranbourne and Melbourne
sites. Prior to joining the Royal Botanic
Gardens Victoria, Mr Russell had
experience in environmental management
and capital projects with Parks Victoria,
the building industry and scientific
research.
Executive Director Corporate
(1992)
Jenny Steinicke BA, Grad Dip Bus
Responsible for initiating and coordinating
projects to improve corporate governance
and management, including financial
management and planning, people
and culture management, information
services, project management, and legal,
legislative and contractual matters. Ms
Steinicke is also responsible for financial
and project management of the Nature
and Science Precinct project at Melbourne
Gardens and the Recycled Irrigation
Water projects at both Melbourne
Gardens and Cranbourne Gardens. She
has over 25 years’ experience in botanic
gardens management, and previously
held senior management positions in
consumer affairs and education.
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS BOARD VICTORIA — ANNUAL REPORT 2018–19 21