Executive Bios

Grant Gilfillan

Chief Executive Officer

Grant Gilfillan joined Sydney Ports Corporation as its Chief Executive Officer in January 2008 and was appointed as a Director in April 2009.

Prior to joining Sydney Ports, Mr Gilfillan worked in Africa, the Middle East and Europe (Romania) as a Senior Vice President, Managing Director and General Manager for DP World. Prior to this, Mr Gilfillan had served as Director of Operations for P&O Ports, Australia and New Zealand and as Managing Director of CSX World Terminals in Australia.

He also sits on the Executive Committee of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) as its Vice President for the Asia/Oceania Region.

In an earlier life, Mr Gilfillan was a mining engineer and mine manager in the NSW Hunter Valley and the North-West of Western Australia.

Lachlan Benson

Executive General Manager, Industry Relations and Logistics

Lachlan Benson joined Sydney Ports Corporation in November 2008. His responsibilities include the Corporate Affairs Team as well as Trade and Logistics where he will be overseeing the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy.

Prior to joining Sydney Ports, Mr Benson worked as Manager, Industry Relations for AWB Limited, where he was responsible for the management of supply chain issues for road, rail and ports and managing key government and industry stakeholders.  Earlier in his career, Mr Benson developed and implemented process improvements for ports and freight as a Senior Policy Officer within the Industry Reforms Division of the NSW Ministry of Transport.

Mr Benson has extensive experience working with government at a Ministerial level and has forged strong relationships within the port, freight and transport industries in Australia.

Arthur Gillen BCom, MEc, FCPA, FCIS, FFin, FAICD

Chief Financial Officer

Mr Gillen has broad experience at CFO, executive director and general management level in both the public and the private sectors, including ASX and AIM listed companies.

Mr Gillen’s experience spans the mining and construction sectors, telcos and utilities, and computer software. He has been CFO for companies such as Elders Mining Limited, Warkworth Mining Limited, Costain Australia Limited, Bellambi Coal JV and Gympie Gold Limited. He has also been CFO of EnergyAustralia and NICTA Limited, General Manager of Telstra’s National Business Unit for Smartcards and Payphones, and COO / CFO of Next Generation Entertainment Pty Limited.

In addition to his extensive skills as CFO, Mr Gillen has in-depth experience in strategic planning, business transformation and the design, development and implementation of computer systems. Mr Gillen joined SPC in April 2008 and brings considerable value to the Corporation in managing his areas of responsibility covering Finance, Corporate Planning, Information Technology and Internal Audit.

Ian Grey

Executive General Manager, Human Resources

Ian Grey joined Sydney Ports Corporation in April 2009 as Executive General Manager, Human Resources.

Prior to this appointment, Mr Grey has proven experience in creating significant change in organisations, heading up the human resources function in both public and private sector organisations. Most recently, Mr Grey worked as head of HR for Donaldson Coal in their start up phase, but has also been a senior executive in established organisations such as the Australian Customs Service; in Sydney Water Corporation; and in P&O Ports.

Mr Grey comes to Sydney Ports with a strong track record in the successful implementation of major projects and change management programs and in creating highly professional corporate support units. Much of his time has been spent on projects to assist organisations change their cultures.

Annette Woods BE(Civil) MIEAust

Executive General Manager, Development and Planning

Annette Woods joined Sydney Ports Corporation in September 2008 following six years with Newcastle Port Corporation where her positions included Executive Manager Strategic Projects and General Manager Planning & Development. She has held senior project management and geotechnical engineering roles with Parsons Brinckerhoff, and has worked with the Northern Territory Government Department of Transport and Works in strategic planning.

Ms Woods brings to Sydney Ports a technical background in geotechnical engineering and contaminated site remediation, together with experience in complex multi-disciplinary project management across land and marine based port infrastructure and Public Private Partnership tendering. Her focus is on delivering projects, be they physical or commercial, which accurately and efficiently achieve the requirements of the end users and meet Sydney Ports' service strategy and business needs.

Annette is a Chartered Member of Engineers Australia.

Steven Young

Executive General Manager, Marine Services and Harbour Master

Captain Steven Young joined Sydney Ports in August 2009 as Harbour Master & General Manager Navigation Services and was appointed as Executive General Manager, Marine Services and Harbour Master in December 2009. His responsibilities include Marine Operations, Navigation Services, Harbour Master, Pilot Service, Safety, Security, Environment and Community.

Prior to joining Sydney Ports, Captain Young had over 30 years experience in the UK marine and ports industry. He has held a number of senior management operational and commercial roles including; Port Manager at a number of ports and Deputy to the Port Director at Associated British Ports, Port of Southampton, England. He has also been Harbour Master at the Port of Southampton and has extensive experience in navigation safety, vessel traffic services, oil pollution and incident management as well as the leadership of strategic port development projects.

In his earlier career Captain Young, a Master Mariner, served at sea with the P&O Group on General Cargo, Container, Tanker and Cruise Shipping.