Simon Hupfeld
Executive Chairman
Simon has worked in the garden and hardware industry for over 20 years, beginning his journey as a part-owner of Northcote Pottery. Following the sale of Northcote Pottery to Griffon Corporation, Simon became the CEO for AMES in ANZ (and UK/Europe for a period). Simon enjoys building and leading great teams and prioritizes culture and positive relationships as the vehicles of business growth and success. Simon holds an B.A. (Psychology) from the University of Adelaide, and an MBA from Melbourne Business School.
Francois Cleret
Managing Director
Francois has over 15 years' experience working in Senior Commercial roles for large multi-national CPG and B2B organizations across the ANZ and SEA regions. Francois believes in putting “customers at the center of everything we do” in order to create long-term and sustainable partnerships. Francois has and continue to successfully lead large and diverse teams delivering market share gains, revenue and profit growth Francois holds an MBA from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Dale McGrath
Chief Financial Officer
Dale has over 30 years' experience in senior Finance roles with corporate and large private businesses. Dale holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Bryant University. After graduating she joined Touche Ross and earned her CPA qualification. Over nine years she serviced clients across a multitude of industries in both the US and Australia. Dale's passion is analyzing data and simplifying processes. Mentoring individuals across the business is also a key passion, passing on the knowledge she has gained. Over the past 15 years, Dale has played a leading role on more than 15 acquisitions and divestments, contributing across finance, legal property, commercial and IP.
Michael Wood
Head of People and Culture
Michael has over 25 years' experience working in operations, L & D and Human Resource management for large and diverse businesses. He is passionate about driving behaviors in a high-performance culture as a true business partner. Michael holds several degrees in Career development, OH&S, business and is completing his Masters in Commerce, Human resources.
Simon Vistarini
Head of Operations and Manufacturing
Simon has 20 years' experience in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution businesses, in a variety of Plant and Operations Manager roles with industry-leading FMCG companies including Simplot and Ingham's. Simon firmly believes that the safety of all team members is our number 1 priority, followed closely by outstanding service to customers through quality and fulfilment excellence. He is passionate about developing individuals and winning teams as the foundation for success across the nine sites he currently oversees. Simon holds a Master of Professional Accounting from Latrobe University and a Bachelor of Business from Victoria University. Including large-scale FMCG manufacturing.
John Hynes
Head of Supply Chain
John is an experienced supply chain executive with two decades of expertise in senior positions across various industries. Holding a Master of Business in Logistics Management from RMIT, John specializes in strategic leadership, driving profitable growth through operational enhancements, improved customer service, talent development, and cost reduction initiatives. His successful leadership spans complex domestic and international supply chain operations in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, packaging, and consumer goods sectors. He is passionate about innovation, continuous improvement and creating value across the supply chain.
Nick Grubb
Director of Sales
Nick has over 20 years of experience in the hardware and garden industry, with a well-rounded background spanning front-line sales, strategic growth initiatives, product development, and leading high-performance sales teams. His passion lies in solving problems through innovation, creating products, services, and solutions that deliver real value to customers and end users alike. Nick is a strong believer in people-driven success and takes great pride in fostering motivated, and effective teams. He is deeply committed to mentoring and developing individuals, helping them grow into confident, capable professionals who thrive in high-performance environments.
Courtney Van Der Pluym
Head of Creative
Courtney is a creative professional with over 15 years of experience in Marketing and Visual Design, specialising in the FMCG industry. With a strong foundation in both strategic thinking and visual storytelling, she is passionate about building brands from the ground up, crafting clear brand strategy, standout packaging design, and visual communication that truly connects. Courtney has worked across a range of iconic Australian brands, helping to reset and evolve them for the next generation while supporting marketing concepts that resonate in the marketplace. Beyond the work itself, she is deeply committed to nurturing creative talent and building positive, high-performing team cultures. She leads with empathy, mentors emerging talent, and fosters collaboration that drives both people and brands forward.
Alex Brooke
Head of Merchandise and Innovation
With over 20 years of experience in brand, product, and creative leadership, Alex combines strategic thinking with practical expertise in product Innovation and Merchandise. She has built a career helping businesses grow through smart, product-led strategies across global wholesale and vertical retail. A qualified Industrial Designer, Alex has worked across diverse industries including toys, luxury, fashion accessories, transport, IoT, and consumer electronics. This breadth gives her a unique perspective on what makes products resonate in different markets. Known for building collaborative, high-performing teams, Alex brings bold, customer-focused ideas to life. She has led cross-functional teams across design, buying, and production-guiding products from concept to shelf-while balancing creative vision with commercial outcomes to drive brand growth and differentiation.
