About our directors

Mark Cooper - VIC / TAS (Chairman)

GAICD, Grad. Cert. Comm

Mark became a member of Capricorn Society in 1995 and was first elected to the board in October 2013. He was appointed Vice Chairman to the Board in 2018 and Chairman of the Board in 2019. Mark is a member of Capricorn's Remuneration and Nomination Committee and has previously been a member of the Capricorn Audit and Risk Committee. Mark is also a Director of Capricorn Mutual Ltd.

Mark was born in 1967, is married to Stephanie and has three daughters.

Mark has been involved in the automotive industry for over 36 years, starting at the age of 13 working weekends at his father's service station. Following his passion Mark secured an apprenticeship with his local Holden dealer, before becoming a fully qualified motor mechanic in 1987. Mark has worked in dealerships, service stations and small independent workshops.

Mark then started his own mechanical service and repair business in 1995 which has since expanded to a fully operational franchise with 8 locations and 34 staff. In December 2013, Mark purchased two paint stores in Southern Tasmania. In January 2016, Mark expanded into battery sales using his automotive service centres as retail outlets. In September 2018, Mark purchased Tyrepower Hobart.

To further his knowledge in motor vehicle repairs and servicing, Mark has attained an automotive electrician qualification and automotive technician endorsements. Mark has also furthered his business management skills through completing a marketing and financing independent business course, a Certificate IV in Small Business Management and obtaining a Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation from the University of Tasmania.

Mark is a director of six family owned companies and currently sits on the Executive Committee of the TACC (Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce). Mark donates to various charities, financially supports junior sports clubs and regularly carries out automotive career talks at local high schools and colleges.

Mario Pirone - Independent Director (Vice Chairman)

B.Bus, Grad. Dip. Bus, FCPA

Mario Pirone joined the Capricorn Board on 1 July 2014 as an Independent Director and was appointed to the position of Vice Chairman of the Board in 2019. Mario brings over 20 years' experience as a senior executive and director in large and complex organisations. He has worked in the general insurance, funds management and financial services fields and is currently the CEO of the Guild Group which is a national insurance and financial services business.

Mario is Chairman of Capricorn's Audit and Risk Committee as well as the Capricorn Relationship Committee.  

Mario was formerly the CEO of CGU Insurance and a senior group executive with Insurance Australia Group (1999-2008) and has held a number of non-executive directorships over the past 10 years.

Along with extensive experience, Mario is also well qualified with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting Major) and Graduate Diploma Business (Insurance Management), completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School and is a Fellow of CPA Australia.

Russell Becker - NSW / ACT

FAICD 

Born in 1963 and was elected to the Board in 2005 after first becoming a member in 1991. Russell served as Chairman of the Board from 2015 to 2019, is a member of Capricorn's Remuneration and Nomination Committee and is a Director of Capricorn Mutual Ltd. During his time on the Board, Russell has also spent time on the Audit and Risk Committee.

Russell is a Graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has been involved in the automotive industry since 1979. Russell owned and operated a service station/convenience store and mechanical repair business in Galston from 1990 until 2003 and in 2003 moved to nearby Dural to specialise in mechanical repairs. Russell is a RTA AUVIS, AIS and LPG inspector.

Russell has been involved in many committees, boards of charity and sporting organisations including special olympics, junior soccer and motor sport. Russell is married to Karen and they have 3 children.

Philip (Phil) Saxton - NZ

GAICD

Phil was born in 1969 and has been involved in the automotive industry for over 28 years beginning with an apprenticeship in an all makes and model workshop. Phil went on to achieve an Advanced Trade Certificate and then moved to a local Toyota dealership in the role of After Sales Operation Manager. From there Phil pursued his dream of setting up and running his own business.

Phil is the owner and operator of two automotive workshops in the Wellington region and has been a Capricorn Member for over 12 years. Phil is a Member of the New Zealand MTA and past President of the MTA Wellington. Over the past 12 years he has been involved in several voluntary community organisations and is the current President of the Boulcott Preservation Society, a not for profit organisation aimed at retaining the character of the region.

Phil is married to Hayley and they have 3 sons. Phil is a member of Capricorn's Remuneration and Nomination Committee and also serves on the Capricorn Relationship Committee. Phil has also spent time on Capricorn's Audit & Risk Committee.

Julie Wadley - WA

GAICD

Julie was born in 1952 and has been involved in the automotive industry for over 40 years beginning with the business she started with her husband in 1972. Julie has 4 sons who have all grown up around the motor industry like many other family orientated businesses.

Julie's husband passed away in 2008 but she has continued to run the successful and respected family business focussed on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Julie brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to Capricorn. Julie served on the MTAWA Board of Management from 2000 to 2013 including as Vice Chairperson and has been a member of the MTAWA Body Repair Committee since 1995 to 2013 including twice as Chairperson over those years. Julie has also been elected to the RACWA Council by Members from 1997 until now as well as being elected to the RACWA Club Board by the RACWA Council for the period 1997 until now. Julie is a Foundation Member of Rotary Club of Safety Bay and Past President and Secretary during the period 1995 - 2005, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers.

Julie was Capricorn's first ever female Director (appointed in 2014) and is passionate about the automotive industry, Capricorn and its members. Julie was excited to have joined the Capricorn Board and the opportunity to act in the best interests of all Capricorn Members.  Julie also serves on the Audit and Risk Committee and the Capricorn Relationship Committee, and has previously been a member of the Capricorn Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

David Kemp - QLD

GAICD

David was born in 1958 and has been involved in the automotive industry for over 40 years. During this time David has owned and operated an automotive workshop in Warwick, a small but busy country town located two hours south west of Brisbane. The business started from the ground up but over the years the business has evolved with the times providing up to date service for the community and is now an Approved Repairer for the RACQ. The business also provides assessments for both Suncorp and RACQ Insurance.

David has been married to his wife Julie for over 36 years and together they have 6 children and 8 grandchildren. David's family settled in the Warwick area over 140 years ago and are proud members of the community.

David has extensive industry knowledge and experience relevant to Capricorn. David is a Justice of the Peace, has his “A” and “B” Grade Mechanic's Licence, Automotive Refrigeration Licence.  He is an Approved Examiner for Queensland Transport and a qualified Automotive Electrical Technician as well as a member of the Warwick Chamber of Commerce. From 2008 to 2011, David was president of charity motorcycle group for children with cancer “Bikers for a Brighter Future”.  From 2009 to present, David has been Vice Chairman of the Warwick Road Safety Committee. From 2013 to present, David has been PR and Club Administrator, as well as being elected as president for Warwick Rotary Sunrise.

In 2016, David was involved in the re-establishment of the Warwick Motorcycle Club which he is currently president of. The club was originally established in 1915 and operated until 1984.

David is an experienced business owner and operator and knows the day to day challenges involved. David is used to working in teams for the good of everyone and brings this perspective and experience to the Capricorn Board. David was first elected to the Board in October 2014 and became a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.  He also graduated at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  David is currently a Member of Capricorn's Audit and Risk Committee and Capricorn's Relationship Committee and has previously been a member of the Capricorn Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

Peter Stewart - SA/NT

Dip. Auto., Dip.T., Adv. Dip.T., MMIAME, GAICD

Peter was born in 1953 and has been involved in the automotive industry for over 20 years starting with the purchase of Rowell & Searle Auto Transmissions Pty Ltd in Adelaide. Peter has been committed to his business and the broader automotive industry in general, sitting on a number of automotive industry committees. Peter has been a Capricorn Member since 1999, is currently an IAME Member and is on the MTA (SA) Automotive Repair Division Committee and RAA Approved Repairers Committee. 

Peter holds a Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Teaching as well as a Diploma and Certificate IV in Automotive Business Management and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. His business acumen was recognised with Rowell & Searle winning “South Australian Small Business of the Year” in 2002. 

Peter is married to Vicki with 4 adult children.

Peter was first appointed to the Board to fill the casual vacancy for Zone 4 (South Australia/Northern Territory) and is a long-standing and passionate Capricorn Member. Peter was appointed as Chairman of Capricorn's Remuneration and Nomination Committee in 2018 and has previously spent time on Capricorn's Audit & Risk Committee.

Bruce Rathie - Independent Director

B.Comm, LLB, MBA, FAIM, FAICD

Bruce was born in 1955 and was appointed to the Board in July 2008 as an Independent Director.  Bruce also served as Vice Chairman to the Board from 2015 to 2018. Bruce comes to Capricorn very well qualified for this position having a Masters of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Law, a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Practice, a Graduate Diploma Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management.

Bruce's professional experience includes numerous executive director, non executive director and chairman positions in both the public and private sectors over more than 15 years. Bruce is also a non-executive director of ASX listed PolyNovo Limited and Chairman of ASX listed DataDot Technology Limited. Bruce has also had extensive law experience with major firms and was Senior Corporate Counsel at Bell Resources in the mid 1980's.

Bruce has been a member of Capricorn's Investment Committee and is now also a member of Capricorn's Audit and Risk Committee. Bruce was appointed as a Director of Capricorn Mutual Ltd in 2015 and Chairman of the Capricorn Mutual Board in 2016.

Donna Vinci - Independent Director

Donna Vinci is currently the Chief Digital and Information Officer at Bank of Queensland (BOQ). 

Donna's extensive experience in strategy, business, operations, risk management and technology, and her track record of delivering digital disruption and transformation projects for major financial services organisations globally enables her to play a key role in business transformation as they continue to digitise their business and create new customer experiences.

From 'finding her passion', to 'living her passion' to 'expanding her reach', Donna has used her experience and opportunities to elevate her people and businesses to be competitive in the fast pace of change and is known for her commitment to paying-it-forward to others. 

Donna previously held senior leadership positions at IAG where she was Group General Manager, Group Digital and Group CIO, prior to that, she was Chief Operations and Information Officer of Westpac's Institutional Bank for four and half years. Donna has also held many global executive management roles at Citigroup over a span of fifteen years, including Regional CIO and Global Head of Technology Risk Management and held other senior management roles at Potter Warburg and was a Director at Country Natwest.

Donna's focus is not just technologically driven, a large part of her approach is centered on culture/mindset, customer, partnerships, team development, leadership and a commitment to continuously learn through new experiences and creating new possibilities that enable change.

Outside of her corporate roles, Donna actively works with not-for-profit organisations in both formal and informal capacities across healthcare, education and community services, to support her passion of paying it forward and making a societal impact.

In March this year, Donna was awarded Cisco's Women in IT, 2019 CIO of the Year Award.