Keynote Speaker

James McMahon DSC DSM, Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer at Azure Capital.

"LEADERSHIP IN ADVERSITY "

James is an Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer at Azure Capital.

Prior to joining Azure, James spent over 24 years in command positions, strategy and operations management in the Australian Defence Force. At the operational level the majority of James’ service has been in the Special Air Service Regiment where he was the Commanding Officer. At the strategic level the majority of his service was in Capability Management and Human Resources. While in Capability Management he directly contributed to the development and implementation of a Defence Force organizational structure model designed to increase sustainable capability by developing and changing organizational structures, managing costs and enhancing procurement programs.

James is a graduate of the Australian Defence College and also holds a Graduate Diploma in Management, Masters in Management, Masters in Business Administration and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was appointed as a Non-Executive Director to the Board of the West Coast Eagles Football Club in March 2007 and the SAS Resources Trust Board in April 2009.

James has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for command and leadership in action during his command in Timor Leste, Afghanistan and Iraq. During James’ time as Commanding Officer, the Special Air Service Regiment has been awarded both the Meritorious Unit Citation and Unit Gallantry Citation.