2025 Speakers

Conference Program

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2025 Conference Program

Time

Session

Details

12.00pm - 1.00pm

Lunch

Complimentary lunch included as part of the User Group session.


1.00pm - 2.30pm

Driving smarter, more efficient operations in fleet

Join Fleet Leaders in discussing the best practices and opportunities that fleet technologies have in streamlining and driving smarter outcomes for your organisation. Learn from others in how they’ve applied technology in their Fleet, and how this is evolving with the changing landscape, budgetary constraints, and legislative requirements.

Time

Session

Details

10:00am - 3:00pm

Site Tour

The Site Tour has become a key part of every IPWEA Fleet Conference and is a great opportunity for delegates to explore best practice fleet management in action.

In 2025 delegates will tour the Volvo Truck factory. The Wacol plant is a significant part of Brisbane’s manufacturing base employing close to 550 people directly in the production of Volvo and Mack trucks and supported by around 50 dedicated engineers.

At the end of the tour, you can organise to meet other conference delegates for a casual dinner at one of the many restaurants and bars located near the Brisbane Showgrounds and Royal International Convention Centre which is the venue for the 2025 IPWEA Fleet Conference on 25th and 26th March.

Schedule

Meet at the Royal International Convention Centre by 10.30am for a 10:45am departure via coach. The tour will return to the Showgrounds at approximately 4pm.

Time

Session

Details

7:15 am Registration / Breakfast
8:20 am Conference Opening
  • Marc Sibbald, Director – IPWEA Fleet
  • Thomas Brayley, Manager – Plant Fleet Services, Logan City Council and IPWEA Fleet Council Chair
  • David Jenkins, CEO at IPWEA
8:40 am Keynote 1

Topic: Industry overview

Speaker: John Cadogan, YouTuber / Industry Commentator

9:10 am Keynote 2

Topic: Emerging Technology in Plant and Equipment

Speaker: Steve Williams, National Manager ICT & Fleet at Komatsu Australia

9:40 am Keynote 3

Topic: Lessons and insights on fleet management from Europe

Speaker: Corporate Fleet Manager at Dundee City Council

10:10 am Keynote Panel Discussion

John Cadogan, Steve Williams.

10:30 am Morning Tea

Grab a coffee and meet suppliers to the fleet industry in the Exhibition Hall

11:15 am Collaboration

Topic: Implementing a maintenance management system

Speaker: Jade Zigenbine, Acting Quality Assurance & Fleet – Operations Specialist at Shire of Nullumbik

11:40 am Collaboration

Topic: Collaborating for success

Speaker: Melinda Ta, Group Manager - Fleet and Depot at City of Parramatta

12:05 pm Panel Discussion

Speakers: Melinda Ta, Jade Zigenbine

12:30 pm Lunch

Time to catch up with other delegates and connect with suppliers in the Exhibition Hall.

1:30 pm Comparison

Topic: TBC

1:55 pm Comparison

Topic: TBC

2:20 pm Panel Discussion

Topic: TBC

2:50 pm Afternoon Tea

Visit the Exhibition Hall for some coffee, an afternoon sugar hit, and share your contact details with a supplier that can help solve a challenge with your fleet.

3:30 pm Creativity

Topic: How to use current technology to better optimise fleet processes

Speaker: Mihnea Stanuic, Fleet Coordinator at Hume City Council

3:55 pm Creativity

Topic: TBC

4:20 pm Panel Discussion
4:40 pm Fleet Innovation Award Presentation

Presented by Marc Sibbald, Director – IPWEA Fleet, and Thomas Brayley, Manager – Plant Fleet Services, Logan City Council and IPWEA Fleet Council Chair

5:00 pm Day Two Close
6:30 pm Conference Networking Cocktail Function

Who’s your team?

An opportunity to network with old friends and connect with new ones over drinks and nibbles at one of Brisbane’s most iconic venues.

Time Session Details
7:15 am Registration / Breakfast

A great opportunity to have a working breakfast in the Exhibition Hall with suppliers

8:30 am Conference Opening

Welcome

Jonathan Jones, Head of Education at IPWEA

8:40 am Keynote 1

Topic: TBC

Speaker: TBC

9:05 am Keynote 2

Topic: An update on hydrogen as an alternative transport fuel

9:30 am Keynote Panel Discussion

TBC

10:00 am Morning Tea

Networking in the Exhibition Hall with suppliers and delegates

11:00 am Fleet Sustainability

Topic: Lessons from being first with electric vehicles

Speaker: Evert Verhage, Fleet Manager at City of Charles Sturt

11:25 am Fleet Sustainability

Topic: Aurecon’s decarbonisation vision

Speaker: Rich Mitchell

Associate, Integrated Transport and Mobility

Aurecon

11:50 am Panel Discussion

Speakers: Evert Verhage, Rich Mitchell, Dan Hutton

12:15 pm Lunch

A good chance to follow up with suppliers in the Exhibition Hall and ask questions about their products

1:15 pm Sponsor Address

Viva Energy

1:25 pm Fleet Technology

Topic: TBC

1:50 pm Fleet Technology

Topic: TBC

2:15 pm Panel Discussion

Topic: Using AI to make fleet management easier

Panel: Geotab, Formbird, Autoguru, Smartrak

2:40 pm Wrap Up

Fleet Council on stage - It’s time to wrap up!

The IPWEA Fleet Council members discuss the highlights of the conference and how to include them in your Fleet Asset Management Plan for strategic fleet management.

3:00 pm Conference Close

See you in 2025!

Our 2025 Keynote Speakers

John Cadogan

John Cadogan

Auto Expert

Special Guest Speaker

John earned a degree in mechanical engineering in the '80s, and alongside university, trained in heavy industry in the railways. He’s always been a self-proclaimed car nut, and moved to motoring journalism when an opportunity presented itself in the early '90s. With 30 plus years as a journalist contributing to newspapers and magazines, including Wheels and Motor, 4X4 Australia, and Overlander, he became Channel Nine’s and later Seven's motoring expert, and worked as talkback radio host on Sydney’s oldest radio station, 2UE. These days, he’s a YouTuber with more than 400,000 subscribers.

Melinda Ta

Melinda Ta

Group Manager – Fleet and Depot Operations

City of Parramatta

Melinda is a highly skilled, outcomes driven individual, Melinda has over 20 years’ experience in Local Government across Community Development and Engagement, Sports, Culture and Volunteer management, Playground and Open Spaces design and Place Making and most recently Fleet and Depot operations. Melinda leads a multidisciplinary team, overseeing the Rydalmere Operations Centre, managing the operations and maintenance of Council’s heavy and light fleet of vehicles and coordinating all of Council’s trade services such as Carpenters, Painters, graffiti removal, Trades Assistants, Stores Management, Heavy Diesel Mechanics, Sign Production and Sign Installation. Fleet and Depot Operations play a crucial role in ensuring that the City of Parramatta’s core operations run smoothly, efficiently, and safely.

In 2024 City of Parramatta’s Fleet Team underwent a refresh to improve productivity and service delivery. This resulted in a range of operational efficiencies including clear leadership and vision for the team, improved fleet management, compliance and safety, budget management and clear processes and procedures driven by data analysis.

Melinda is passionate about local government and implements an empathetic, inclusive leadership style with a strong focus on governance, probity and compliance combined with a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and strategic planning.

Rich Mitchell

Rich Mitchell

Intelligent Transport Systems Lead ANZ

Aurecon

Rich is Aurecon's ITS Systems Lead Engineer, providing design consulting services on projects within the Intelligent Transport Systems, Rail, Light Rail, Mining, and Power Generation industries. With a strong interest in sustainability, Electric Vehicles, Mobility as a Service, Autonomous Vehicles, Connected Vehicles and Future Transport Systems, Rich will be sharing insights from Aurecon's latest work in this space.

Evert Verhage

Evert Verhage

Fleet Manager

City of Charles Sturt

Evert has a career spanning several decades in the fleet industry with expertise in fleet management and transitioning towards net-zero emissions. In 2021, he seized an opportunity within the South Australian council sector as a Fleet Manager for three metropolitan councils. Currently, he is actively involved in moving the councils fleet from petrol and diesel to hybrid and battery electric vehicles (BEV), and pioneering trials of EV trucks and battery-powered hand plants.

Michael Mills

Michael Mills

Fleet Manager

Essential Energy

Michael is an accomplished asset management and operations practitioner, with over 20 of experience in a variety of maintenance and leadership roles. With a career spanning multiple sectors, Michael has been involved in the management of a diverse range of fleets including off-road Mining, Mobile Cranes, Civil equipment and Heavy Haulage.​Holding mechanical trade background and a Diploma of Leadership, Michael has also completed a Leadership Development Program with Mt Eliza Business School and is currently undertaking a MBA with the University of Newcastle.​Michael currently works in the energy sector and is deeply passionate about people, safety and the de-carbonisation of fleet.

Jade Zigenbine

Jade Zigenbine

Fleet Business Unit Partner

Nillumbik Shire Council

With a highly skilled background and professional experience in Local government and Fleet operations Jade brings over 10 years experience managing and optimising the operations of fleet services. She has successfully delivered key projects and supports the ongoing management of fleet operations, ensuring the efficient use of resources and compliance with quality standards. Jade is excited to present the journey she has taken Nillumbik Shire Council on in the improvement of the Fleet Maintenance Management system, Chain of responsibility standards and the National Heavy vehicle regulations and the successful education and projects over the last 18 months.

Mihnea Stancic

Mihnea Stanciuc

Coordinator Fleet

Hume City Council

Mihnea is an experienced fleet management professional with over a decade in the automotive industry and a Bachelor's degree in Automotive Engineering. His career has been dedicated to managing diverse fleets and equipment, with expertise in acquisition processes, maintenance scheduling, operational optimization, whole-of-life cost (WoL) analysis, and developing Capital Replacement Programs and budgets. Currently, Mihnea manages a varied municipal fleet and have successfully implemented digital solutions to streamline operations. Mihnea will be sharing experience on implement innovative strategies in fleet management

Richard Biffin

Richard Biffin

Chief Technology Officer

Smartrak

Richard is the Chief Technology Officer at Smartrak. He is deeply passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences, leveraging his extensive knowledge of software, product development, and agile methodologies. With a focus on driving innovative change, he has a comprehensive understanding of the fleet technology landscape, and the evolving technological capabilities being brought to the market. Richard's leadership in technology ensures that Smartrak stays ahead of the curve, continually evolving to meet market demands. His commitment to innovation and deep industry insights make him a key driver of Smartrak's success and a valuable resource for both the company and its customers.

Will Batty

Will Batty

Associate Vice President, Business Development - APAC

Getoab

Will is a seasoned leader in the fleet technology industry, with over a decade of experience in connected vehicle solutions, telematics and business development. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in driving innovation, helping organisations optimise fleet operations through data-driven insights, AI Power safety solutions and emerging trends. With a deep understanding of enterprise fleet management, Will has worked extensively with government, corporate, and industrial fleets focusing on compliance, efficiency and sustainability. As Geotab’s AVP of Business Development in APAC, Will is passionate about the future of mobility and regularly collaborates with technology partners to explore the next wave of advancements in fleet management. With a long history of working with Geotab's products, he has deep expertise in connected vehicle technology, enterprise sales and customer engagement with a strong track record of helping organisations achieve their fleet technology goals.  

Edwin Higginson

Edwin Higginson

Director

Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists

Edwin has over 20 years of experience working as Fleet Manager for companies such as Woolworths, Qube and McColl’s transport, he now works as a consultant to assist companies improve their fleet management practices with a focus on workshop management, policies and procedures, and Chain of Responsibility (CoR). Edwin is also a Director of Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists helping businesses convert fleets to low and zero emission vehicles with practical EV transition plans and EV charging infrastructure solutions.

Brendan Cannon

Brendan Cannon

Group Fleet and Utilization Manager

Altus Traffic Management

Brendan Cannon is a Fleet and Operations Executive with over 20 years of experience in asset management, cost optimization, and operational efficiency. He specializes in streamlining fleet operations, reducing expenses, and leveraging technology to enhance productivity and sustainability. As Group Fleet and Utilization Manager at Altus Traffic Management, Brendan oversees a multi-million-dollar fleet & equipment portfolio across Australia and New Zealand. He focuses on efficiency, procurement, risk management, and compliance, achieving significant cost savings, improved fleet utilization, and the successful integration of telematics and management software. He also leads sustainability initiatives, driving lower emissions and greater environmental responsibility. Brendan brings strong expertise in ISO compliance, safety systems, and stakeholder engagement across government and utility sectors. His deep knowledge of fleet lifecycle management, procurement, financial oversight, and regulatory compliance enables him to implement data-driven, sustainable solutions that enhance performance. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and leadership, Brendan continues to drive high-performance, sustainable fleet operations.

Alkan Ciftci

Alkan Ciftci

Partner Account Manager

Geotab

Alkan Ciftci has an extensive Telematics background with 13 years of experience implementing solutions in various fleets. He has a proven track record of helping organizations optimize their fleet operations. Alkan is passionate about driver safety and decarbonisation, recognizing their critical importance in today's landscape. He works closely with diverse fleet managers, providing valuable insights and solutions to address their evolving needs. Alkan is committed to staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving field of fleet management, ensuring his clients are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of modern operations and meet the growing demands of the market.

Andrew_Willis

Andrew Willis

Manager Carbon Policy

Toyota Australia

Andrew has 30+ years’ experience within the automotive industry starting his career with Ford Australia before joining Toyota Australia in 1994. Within Toyota Australia, he has held multiple managerial roles including Export Planning, Government Affairs & Trade Policy, Office of the President, Environment Policy, as well as Dealer Development and Lexus Franchise Planning. Mr Willis has been a member of a range of industry associations and their committees. Notably, he has been member of the board for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries as well as held representative positions across government working groups related to topics such as NVES, end of vehicle life and the local automotive manufacturing industry closure and transition. Mr. Willis currently manages the Carbon Policy and Hydrogen Engagement team within Toyota’s New Business Solutions Division and is based out of Victoria’s first Hydrogen Experience and refuelling station at Altona North.  

Brendan Ling

Brendan Ling

Project Lead

Logan City Council

Brendan has a twenty-year environmental science background with experience in energy efficiency, solar PV, climate change mitigation, and all things related to environmental sustainability. As Project Lead in Logan City Council’s Plant Fleet Services team, he is now focused on implementing the Council’s Green Fleet Strategy, including enabling the successful transition to electric vehicles. He handles fleet charge station installations, culture change and training, carbon accounting, and EV policy development and implementation.

Bruce Lawson

Bruce Lawson

National Fleet Manager

Hino Motor Sales Australia

Enjoying over 20 years’ experience in shipping, truck body manufacturing, semi trailer sales and most recently coming up to 8 years at Hino Motor Sales Australia as the National Fleet Manager. Whilst we have seen many changes to the heavy vehicle industry over the years, we now heading towards some of the most significant changes with regards to alternate fuels. It truly is exciting times ahead and in my opinion we will see a variety of options available to suit different applications and industries and this is what I am most looking forward to.

Chris L’ECLUSE

Chris L’ECLUSE

QLD State Manager​

Teletrac Navman

Following a successful career in the Western Australian Police Force where he held the rank of Sergeant and served for more than 20 years, Chris developed a keen understanding and appreciation for road safety. Over many years, Chris has trained advanced defensive driving in many countries throughout the world and consulted on land transport safety issues. A qualified Master Driver Trainer, Chris has extensive experience, knowledge, and the background to continue to educate industry on land transport safety issues and future challenges and mitigation protocols, specialising in policy development, change management, and legislative compliance.

Luke Houghton

Associate Professor Luke Houghton

Department of Business Strategy and Innovation

Griffith University

Associate Professor Luke Houghton is a researcher, educator, and consultant who specialises in digital transformation and complex problem-solving. With over 100 publications in leading journals, he explores how people make decisions in uncertain environments and how organisations adapt to challenges. His work focuses on three key areas: how framing and sensemaking influence leadership in messy management situations, the impact of feral information systems and unofficial workarounds on business operations, and how communities of practice use technology to enhance learning and collaboration. As a mentor, he has guided over 20 research candidates, including 16 PhDs, and his insights have been featured in top-tier journals like the Information Systems Journal, Journal of Industrial Ecology, and Journal of the Operational Research Society. Luke works with businesses and leaders to help them untangle complexity, optimise decision-making, and leverage digital transformation for meaningful impact, offering research-driven insights, executive training, and strategic advisory services that equip organisations to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Nathan Gore-Brown

Nathan Gore-Brown

Director

ZEV Integrations on behalf of Zurich

Nathan is a leading expert in transport decarbonisation, electric vehicle strategy, and deployment in Australia. With a background in Industrial Engineering (Design) and Automotive Electrical, He is one of few to have developed, bought, sold, implemented, operated and researched policy for Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEVs). Nathan works with Zurich Resilience Solutions to support evolving industry best practice within the fast pace of change.

Tim Hill

Tim Hill

Founder

Fleetyr

Tim hill is the founder of Fleetyr. Fleetyr is an Australian based business that has built an agnostic platform that connects and cleans mobility and safety data across multiple sources, so fleet owners can make smarter business decisions. Fleetyr helps clients across 6 continents uncover actionable insights that enable them to continuously improve, reduce waste, and save on long-term costs.

Steve Williams

Steve Williams

National Manager

ICT & Fleet, Komatsu

Steve Williams is a technology and fleet management expert with over 14 years of experience at Komatsu Australia. Starting his career in engineering, Steve transitioned to the ICT and Fleet Management team where he now leads the development of innovative software solutions as the product owner for INSITE and myFleet. These platforms empower users with valuable insights to optimise fleet performance, contributing to Komatsu's mission of creating value through technology and innovation. As the driving force behind myFleet, Steve has spearheaded the implementation of key features such as machine utilisation visualisation and streamlined service scheduling, allowing customers to proactively manage their fleets and minimise downtime by providing access to timely machine data. Leading companies rely on myFleet daily to manage their extensive fleets, improving project timelines and maximising efficiency. Steve is passionate about helping customers in the construction industry leverage technology to achieve their business goals while contributing to a more sustainable future. He has presented at numerous government events, sharing his expertise on topics such as "How Technology is Changing Our Business" and "The Technical Evolution of Fleet."

Fleet Council

Thomas_Brayley

Thomas Brayley

Plant Fleet Services Manager

Logan City Council

Ryan Brumley

Ryan Brumley

Plant Fleet Officer

City of Greater Geelong

I have many years of experience in fleet management and maintenance planning, as well as technical knowledge from my years as a mechanic and operator. I also been constantly involved in the improvement of safety, process and structure around plant and vehicle maintenance and operation for over 10 years. From time spent in the construction, automotive, hire and now local government industries, I have developed a knack for fixing what breaks and improving what works. With a passion for fleets of all types, I try to emphasize the importance of bringing fleet management to the forefront of business planning in all organisations as the vehicles and plant become more complex and budgets become harder to work within to achieve the best outcomes. In my current role as the Fleet Coordinator at The City of Greater Geelong I look after all aspects of the fleet and employ a continuous improvement mindset to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of The City's fleet management, maintenance and procurement spaces.

Dan Hutton.

Dan Hutton

Coordinator Fleet & Depot Services

City of Perth

Kate Kennedy

Kate Kennedy

Unit Manager Mechanical & Fleet Services

Shoalhaven City Council

Michael Kenyon

Michael Kenyon

General Manager Properties, Workplace Facilities and Fleet

City of Gold Coast

180

Attendees

24

Sessions & Events

35

Exhibitors

100%

By the industry for the industry