Asialink Business, Australia’s National Centre for Asia Capability, welcomes the appointment of Sanjeev Gandhi, Managing Director and CEO, Orica Limited and Kate Pounder, CEO, Tech Council of Australia, as new members to the Asialink Business Advisory Council.

Chaired by Tarandeep Singh Ahuja, Partner, McKinsey & Company, the Asialink Business Advisory Council brings together an impressive and experienced line-up of business and industry leaders to assist Asialink Business in achieving its mission to build an Asia-capable Australian workforce, one that can seize opportunities in diverse Asian markets.

Leigh Howard, the CEO of Asialink Business said, “This is a critical time for Australia’s engagement with Asia. We are delighted to welcome Sanjeev and Kate to the Asialink Business Advisory Council. Both bring extensive expertise from priority sectors for the Australian economy – ones that are in high demand in fast-growing Asian markets. These appointments will further strengthen Asialink Business’ bench of advisers, ensuring we are best placed to support Australian businesses to upskill and access opportunities in Asia,”

Sanjeev Ghandi, MD & CEO of Orica said, “I am pleased to join the Asialink Business Advisory Council and look forward to working closely with the esteemed business advisory council members to further strengthen links between Australian & Asian business.”

Kate Pounder, CEO of Tech Council said, “I believe Australia has a once in a generation opportunity to be a global technology powerhouse and part of realising this potential is enhancing our role as a regional tech hub.  I’m excited to join Asialink Business in an advisory capacity and contribute to this important work for the sector and wider Australian economy.”

The new Asialink Business Advisory Council Members join their esteemed Advisory Council peers, including:

• Tarandeep Singh Ahuja, Partner, McKinsey & Company (Chair)

• Innes Willox, Group CEO, Australian Industry Group

• Professor Paul Kofman, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne

• Corrina Bertram, Partner and Board Member, KPMG

• Sue MacLeman, Chair & Non-Executive Director MTP Connect

• Bao Hoang, Founder and CEO, Roll’d, Member of the Job Maker Board

• Jason Chang, CEO, EMR Capital

• Catriona Jackson, CEO, Universities Australia

• Leigh Howard, CEO, Asialink Business

About the New Advisory Council Members

Sanjeev Gandhi, Managing Director and CEO, Orica Limited

Sanjeev was appointed Managing Director and CEO of Orica Limited in April 2021, after previously holding the role of Group Executive and President, Australia Pacific and Asia since July 2020.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Orica is the world’s leading mining and infrastructure solutions providers.  Operating for over 148 years, today Orica’s 13,000+ global workforce supports customers across surface and underground mines, quarry, construction, and oil and gas operations in over 100 countries.   

Sanjeev is a former Executive Director and Member of the Board of publicly listed German Chemical company BASF SE.  During his 26-year career with BASF, Sanjeev held several senior marketing, commercial and business leadership roles in Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and India including the Head of Asia Pacific and the Head of Global Chemicals Segment (Intermediates & Petrochemicals).

Kate Pounder, CEO, Tech Council of Australia

Kate is an experienced tech policy expert and senior executive who has worked across the public, private and non-profit sectors. She is the CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, the peak body representing the Australian tech sector. Before her time in consulting, she spent 15 years working in technology policy roles with the Australian Industry Group, National ICT Australia (NICTA), Network Ten, and the Federal Government. Kate is passionate about growing Australia's tech sector, creating new jobs and businesses, and helping all Australian businesses make the most of tech adoption.

About Asialink Business

Since 2013, Asialink Business has helped thousands of Australian organisations and professionals seize opportunities in Asia.  

As Australia’s National Centre for Asia Capability, Asialink Business equips leaders, entrepreneurs and employees with the insights, capabilities and connections to succeed across Asia. Asialink Business offers commercially focused solutions, enabling organisations to optimise their business with Asia by providing customised country, market and industry-specific support.

Asialink Business is supported by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. It is part of the Asialink Group hosted by the University of Melbourne.