Our Board
Kathryn Westwood (MAICD)
Chair
Kathryn is an experienced non-executive Director, Chair and Committee member of several boards, with over 20 years' experience in commercial, finance and risk management roles within forestry, water, metals processing, insurance and local government in Tasmania. Kathryn is a national council member of the Australian Automobile Association, Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, a member of Risk Management Institution of Australasia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce. She has been on Blueline’s Board for almost 10 years.
Chris Ryan
Ex Officio Director
With a history in the banking and finance sector, Chris serves as the Executive Director for the Archdiocese of Hobart, with canonical responsibilities around financial administration and governance. Chris is an ex officio director with Blueline Laundry, Catholic Development Fund, Catholic Education Tasmania, CatholicCare Vic and Tas, Centacare Evolve Housing and St Joseph Affordable Homes. He is also a committee member of the Catholic Education Tasmania Commission and a board member of St Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Appeal.
Hayden Thorp
Director
Hayden is an experienced business leader and has worked extensively throughout the engineering, project management and asset management sectors within Australia. Hayden has held senior management roles in global consultancy, minerals processing and utilities businesses, has previously been a member of the University of Tasmania engineering external advisory committee and is a current board member at Larmenier Catholic Primary School.
Mark Hunt
Director
Mark is Professor of Forestry Science at the University of Tasmania where he has spent the last decade in various leadership roles in forestry research and higher education, including as Dean of Natural Sciences and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Transformation. He is a former board member of Sustainable Timber Tasmania. Mark spent over a year in Antarctica as Station Leader at Australia’s busiest Antarctic base, Casey Station. He has a B App Sci (1st Class Hons), PhD, Grad Dip Management and MBA.
Chris Brookwell
Director
Chris is a chartered accountant who spent the first 16 years of his career working for the financial services firm, Ernst & Young (EY). More recently, he has been CFO at Tasracing, before taking on his current role, as General Manager Corporate Services at Sustainable Timber Tasmania. Chris has qualified as a company secretary through the GIA’s Applied Corporate Governance Diploma. He is also a non-executive director of Volunteering Tasmania and a qualified football coach who volunteers his time with the youth program at Kingborough Lions United FC.
Rachel Jansen
Director
Rachel is an experienced executive leader, having worked in private enterprise, government services and the for-purpose area for over 20 years. She has held roles in operational and business administration, quality, compliance, and risk management, and is an experienced HR practitioner. Rachel holds a BA, BCom and MBA. She is a certified professional of the Australian Human Resources Institute, a licenced investigator and a previous board member at Meals on Wheels (Tas). Rachel is passionate about social justice and everyone’s right to access and fairness.
Anthony Morgan
Director
Anthony is an experienced educator and executive, with a Master of Education (education leadership). He has worked as a senior government adviser and held leadership roles within the Catholic and International School systems. Anthony has expertise in policy development, strategic planning, organisational governance, corporate planning and accountability processes. With a strong preference for working with those experiencing disadvantage in our communities, he sees a strong alignment between the mission of Blueline and his Catholic faith.
Most Rev Julian C. Porteous DD
Archbishop of Hobart
Member, Association of Blueline Laundry Inc
Julian Charles Porteous was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Sydney on 7 September 1974. He was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Sydney on 3 September 2003. He has served as Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Australia, Episcopal Vicar for Renewal and Evangelisation, and Titular Bishop of Urusi (2003–2013) before being appointed as Archbishop of Hobart on 17 September 2013.
Mel Percival (GAICD)
Director
Mel is a passionate leader and manager with experience across a number of industries including utilities, airports, tourism and government. She has expertise at executive level within private enterprise, state service and Government-owned businesses. Her skills span strategy, product development, business development and negotiation, marketing, research, customer experience design, team building, corporate affairs and media relations.
Very Rev Shammi Perera VG PP
Vicar General
Member, Association of Blueline Laundry Inc
Fr Shammi Perera was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hobart in December 2012. He holds three bachelor’s degrees, a Master of Arts, a Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Care and Human Mobility and a Research Diploma in Patristics. A former Assistant Priest and later Administrator at St Mary’s Cathedral, he is currently Parish Priest of the Sandy Bay-Taroona Parish, Chaplain to Refugees and Asylum Seekers and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Hobart..
Andrew Finch (GAICD)
Director
Andrew worked in the Tasmanian State Service for 40 years, holding a range of senior positions in the Departments of Health, Education, Treasury, State Growth and Tasmania Police. He was Chief of Staff to the Treasurer and then State Premier between 2018 and 2022, where he played a major role in the successful management of COVID-19 in Tasmania from the commencement of the pandemic in March 2020. Andrew has a Bachelor of Business Studies (Accounting) and is a Fellow of CPA Australia.
Rev Mark Freeman
Member, Association of Blueline Laundry Inc
Fr Mark Freeman is a former Vicar General and current Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Hobart. As Chancellor, he is one of the trustees of the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation of the Archdiocese of Hobart and oversees the administrative aspect of the life of the diocese as the bishop’s delegate. Fr Freeman is also parish priest at Bellerive-Lindisfarne, having previously served on the West Coast, Mersey-Leven, South Hobart and the Huon Valley.
Our Leadership Team
Michael Sylvester
CEO
Michael Sylvester joined Blueline Laundry as Chief Executive Officer in February 2020. Michael has 20 years experience in leadership roles in the public, private and not for profit sectors as an owner, contractor and consultant across manufacturing, infrastructure, engineering, project management and organisational capacity development. He is passionate about the roles that professionals play in maintaining our good communities and providing a sustainable future for our children.
Grant Coker-Williams
General Manager, Employee Experience & Assurance
Grant Coker-Williams has been with Blueline Laundry since 2016 commencing in Blueline’s Launceston laundry before moving to a Statewide role. Grant has extensive leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, including disability employment, apprenticeships and traineeships, social enterprise development and implementation of quality assurance systems. Grant has previously been General Manager of the largest Tasmanian not-for-profit Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Network provider in Tasmania.
Fiona Dixon (FCPA, GAICD)
CFO
Fiona has held senior financial positions at the City of Hobart, Hydro Tasmania and Forestry Tasmania for more than 20 years. She is experienced in meeting statutory financial obligations through management of external and internal financial reporting, asset management and financial forecasting and developing and implementing financial strategy. She has considerable experience in people management, direct involvement in strategic merger and acquisition transactions and has participated in significant business transformation projects.
Martin Oldereid
General Manager Operations
Martin relocated from NSW to join the Blueline Laundry team as General Manager Operations. His previous position was running a large commercial laundry north of Sydney.
Martin also brings experience in sales, operations, quality assurance, auditing & lean manufacturing within the surf wear, lingerie, flavour & fragrances, pharmaceutical, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), engineering and Blood Service industries.
Michael O’Flaherty
Operations Manager Hobart
Michael leads the Hobart team to deliver upon service commitments to southern customers. Michael has a career history in operational and general management including senior leadership roles with Sheridan textiles.
Michael Jarvis
Operations Manager Launceston
Michael recently returned to Tasmania after spending 15 years in North Queensland (Townsville).
Michael’s site management experience includes the heavy industrial manufacturing, transport, logistics warehousing and pipeline industries, as well as 2 years as Operations Manager operating a Material Recycling Facility (MRF).
Allan Dickins
General Manager, Customer Experience & Growth
With a background in the advertising and fitness industries, Allan has successfully helped to build several businesses over the years, and brings strategic acumen, creativity and energy to his role at Blueline. Allan’s management experience, combined with marketing flair, solutions focus and a genuine passion for the work of Blueline, enable him to not only identify improvement and expansion opportunities, but oversee their execution.