Directors and Management
Executive Chair
Mr Al Jawhari – B.Eng (Aeronautical/Mechanical), Lt. Col.(EAF, Ret.)
Al is an innovator and technology commercialisation expert with 25+ years of C-level leadership experience. With 4 successful business exits Al is an internationally recognized business leader known for crafting the required strategic vision to achieve business goals offering a unique blend of leadership, innovation, executive acumen, global team building, and credited with strong ROI and operational excellence and brings to the governance and leadership of Papyrus, the expertise needed to secure international opportunities.
With a Bachelor of Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering and qualifications in Project Management, Quality, Software Engineering, Advanced Management, Al’s experience spans through Defence, Advanced Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture, Food and Wine, e-commerce and software platforms development with successful ventures across the globe.
Co-Founder and current Group CEO for Starke-Advanced Manufacturing Group, Co-Founder for Innovate Inn and Jewel Creek Farm, Al is an accredited AICD Director, Vice President – Board Director & South Australia Chair for Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Industry Advisory Member for Australian Institute of Business Advisory Board, Centre for Enterprise Dynamics in Global Economies in the University of South Australia, Australia-North Africa Managing Partner for Seed Forum Global Investment and Governors Council Board Member for Walford Anglican School for Girls in Adelaide.
Al is a proud recipient of the Seed Forum Global Impact Award 2019 for his ‘Global Entrepreneurship Impact’ and received a First Class Medal of Military Duty, one of the highest decorations awarded in The Egyptian Armed Forces.
Non-Executive Director
Mr Vincent Peter Rigano – BA Accounting, CPA
Vince is a CPA with over 25 years’ experience in corporate accounting, management consulting and company secretarial. Vince was Company Secretary for a number of years for Papyrus.
Vince provides management accounting and consulting services to a variety of industry sectors including start-ups.
Director
Mr David Attias – MBA Banking and Finance
Driven by business opportunity, David brings a solid financial, analytical and technological background to the Papyrus team.
David is a serial entrepreneur, having founded and successfully managed e-commerce and hospitality businesses which are now profitable under management.
He is currently a Director at L39 Capital, a non-executive director at Creative Food Australia, and has held a prior funds management position in a Blockchain Technologies Investment Fund.
David’s experience is ultimately a reflection of his passion for property investment and portfolio management.
Non-Executive Director
Mr Brad Lemmon
– B.Com Strategic Economic Analysis & Management
Brad brings to PPY over 30 years of experience and a range of skills from the construction materials, mining services, waste recovery and recycling industries, spanning operations and logistics, commercialization, capability integration across business pillars and progressing strategy to execution.
A highly effective business leader with international trade experience and a strong governance focus, Brad has led a 500 strong multi-disciplined workforce through a major transformation via a strategic capital investment program to deliver an efficient, sustainable and profitable footprint across a national network.
With key strengths in attracting strategic capital investment to activate growth opportunities and building high performing teams, Brad has developed, implemented and led strategic reviews to modernise operations and aggressive cost management and innovative commercial solutions.
Brads qualifications and accreditations include a Bachelor of Commerce in Strategic Economic Analysis & Management, the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program, the Mt Eliza Business School Advanced Management Program and AICD accreditation.
Brad holds a crane operator/ rigger licence from Worksafe WA and a private pilot’s license.
Chief Executive Officer
Mr Daniel Schmidt
B.Bus (Management/Retail)
Daniel Schmidt is a business leader with over 20 years’ experience in heavy industry, mining, and manufacturing.
He has delivered significant change and performance improvement programs, having saved millions through operations, strategic procurement and continuous improvement on previous organisations. He has held senior management roles, across sales, operations and commercial functions leading large multifunctional teams across multiple sites.
Daniel is passionate about helping organizations grow and achieve lasting performance results.
Chief Executive Officer – Papyrus Egypt
Heba Nayil
Heba graduated from Cairo University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Engineering, Construction and Architecture.
After owning and operating her own banana growing business in Egypt for six years, Heba became a valued customer of banana veneer which was produced at Papyrus Australia’s facility at Walkamin.
In 2010 Heba started a new public unlisted company in Egypt to enter into a Joint Venture with Papyrus Australia. The new JV company called Papyrus Egypt owns and operates a factory in Sohag, Egypt, utilising technology and equipment supplied by Papyrus Australia.
Heba was instrumental in establishing the banana plantations waste processing factory in Sohag, Egypt, and remains a cornerstone in Papyrus Australia’s commercialisation journey.
Founder and Chief Innovation Officer
Mr Ramy Abraham Azer – MSc Tech Comm, MSc (Eng), Grad Dip Bus, B Eng (Mech)
Founder of Papyrus, Ramy was responsible for the initial development of Papyrus’ technology. His combination of business and engineering degrees gives a solid base for creating a successful company based on innovative engineering.
Ramy has lived and worked in Egypt, Germany and Australia, and has been a regular guest lecturer and speaker on issues including sustainable business development and innovation.
Ramy holds a:
- Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (1994) from the University of South Australia
- Graduate Diploma in Business Enterprise (1996) from Adelaide University
- Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management (1996)
- Bachelor of Engineering Project Management (1990-1993) from the Higher Technological Institute, Egypt
- Masters of Engineering Science with Adelaide University (1999)
- Masters in Business & Technology Commercialisation from Adelaide University
Company Secretary
Patricia Vanni – LLB and AGIA (affiliate)
Ms Vanni has an extensive background in corporate law and corporate governance in multiple global locations and industries. Ms Vanni is a dual-qualified lawyer with more than 20 years’ professional experience spanning corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, contracts and compliance, as well as company secretarial services for ASX-listed, private, and not-for-profit companies across several industries. Ms Vanni holds a Bachelor of Laws and is admitted to practice in Victoria, Australia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is also an Affiliate of the Governance Institute of Australia.