Directors & Management

Directors & Management

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.

 


Director

Mr Edward Michael Byrt – LLB

With over 40 years’ experience in commerce, corporate governance and international business, Ted Byrt is a specialist strategic advisor for major development and infrastructure projects within Australia and offshore.

Ted has been a business advisor and Board member of several leading organisations in South Australia including Presiding Member of the SA Development Assessment Commission and Chairman of the China Cluster. He is chair of The Australian Advanced Manufacturing Centre Pty Ltd and SMAC Technologies Pty Ltd, a Board Member of the Aboriginal Foundation of SA Inc., as well as numerous technology start-ups. He is also a member of the Company’s Audit Committee and has been a Director of Papyrus since 2004 and chair since 2010.

Ted’s past board positions include:

  • Senior Partner and Chairman at Norman Waterhouse Lawyers (Partner 1975-2007, Chairman 1987-2007)
  • The Australia China Business Council Ltd (Director 1994-2005 and National Vice President 2000-2004)
  • Australian Pulse Traders Pty Ltd (Director 2005-2008)
  • Bedford Industries Inc. (Director 1994-2009)
  • Bedford Industries Co-operative Housing Association Inc. (Chairman 1995-2009)
  • Business SA – Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Director 1995-2007)
  • Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Council (Member 2003-2007)
  • Jigsaw Services Pty Ltd (Director 2003-2006)
  • Port Adelaide Football Club Ltd (Director 1995-2007)
  • PAFC Foundation Ltd (Director 1996 – 2003)
  • SirsiDynix Pty Ltd (Director 2007-2011)
  • South Australian Housing Trust (Board Member 2007-2011)
  • South Australian Affordable Housing Trust (Board Member 2006-2010)
  • Director of Treyo Leisure & Entertainment Ltd (TYO) (ASX listed 2008 – 2015)


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 & Company Secretary

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.


Interim CEO

Daniel Schmidt

An established business leader, Daniel has 15 years’ experience in procurement and operational management from his time in the Australian mining and metals industry.

He brings a strong background in continuous improvement program management, team development and aligning functions for best business outcomes.


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

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