Our Directors

Mark has run his own business for 25 years. Mark has been a Capricorn Member since 1999 and was first elected to the Board in October 2022. Mark is a member of the Capricorn Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Digital and Transformation Committee. Mark became Chair of the Board in October 2024 and has previously served as a member of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee and Capricorn’s Relationship Committee.

Mark became a Director of Capricorn Mutual Ltd in October 2024.

Mark has previous Board and Committee experience, including being a current Vice President of VASA, a non-profit organisation representing the technicians, professional service centres, suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers of the automotive air conditioning, electrical, and thermal management industry in Australia and New Zealand. Mark is also a member of the Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce.

David was appointed to the Capricorn Board on 8 April 2025 and is a member of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee.

David brings more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, including significant leadership and governance roles. Since 2006, David has owned and operated two Ultra Tune franchises in Modbury and Golden Grove, overseeing 11 staff and driving operational excellence, workforce development and customer satisfaction.

Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, David held senior service management roles at City Holden, managing multiple sites and teams. He has a strong background in technical training and compliance, complemented by his ongoing pursuit of a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

David’s commitment to community is evident through his long-standing involvement in volunteer roles, including as President and Board Member of local clubs such as Ridgehaven Calisthenics and Tea Tree Gully BMX. He has also contributed to national sports bodies like BMX Australia and supported inclusive initiatives through NDIS and local councils.

David developed the “Auto Skills for Life” program to empower youth with practical automotive knowledge, further reflecting his passion for education and industry development.

Donna joined the Capricorn Board in 2019 and is a member of Capricorn’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee and Capricorn’s Relationship Committee. Donna also chairs Capricorn’s Digital and Transformation Committee. Donna has previously served as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Donna’s extensive experience in board directorships and executive roles across strategy, business, operations, risk management, governance, data, digital 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 we continue to integrate human and digitisation for our business to create new customer experiences and making a societal impact.

In addition to her directorship at Capricorn, Donna currently serves as a Non-executive Director at Western Sydney Airport, Newcastle Greater Mutual Group, Hunter Water, MS Plus and Oakhill College and is a strategic advisor.

Donna is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is a Fellow with the Governance Institute of Australia and a graduate in ESG Leadership. Donna was awarded Cisco’s Women in IT, 2019, CIO of the Year Award.

James joined the Capricorn Board in 2023 and is a member of Capricorn’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Capricorn Relationship Committee. James previously served as a member of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee for a year from October 2023.

James has been a successful mechanical services business owner in Ashhurst for the last 16 years and is currently the Central West Regional Chair for the MTA. James is also actively serving in roles within his local school Board and Parent Teacher Association.

A passion for industry teaching and apprentice training has driven James to address critical issues in this area through collaboration with local training institutes.

Lydia was elected to the Board in 2021 and is Chair of Capricorn’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee. Lydia also serves on the Digital and Transformation Committee and was previously a member of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee and the Capricorn Relationship Committee. Lydia is also a Director of Capricorn Mutual Ltd.

Lydia is a second-generation automotive services business owner with a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Management) from the University of Western Sydney and an Advanced Diploma in Business (Marketing) from Macleay College.

Lydia grew up within the automotive industry as the daughter of an auto electrician. Lydia has been involved with the industry her entire life in one capacity or another.

Mark became a member of Capricorn Society in 1995 and was first elected to the Board in October 2013. Mark was Chair of the Board for five years from 2019 to 2024. Mark is a member of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee and has previously served as a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and Digital and Transformation Committee.

Mark has been involved in the automotive industry for over 40 years and currently owns and operates a number of mechanical service and repair businesses.

Mark has completed a marketing and financing independent business course, a Certificate IV in Small Business Management and obtained a Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation from the University of Tasmania. Mark is a Director of several family-owned companies and currently sits on the Executive Committee of the TACC (Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce).

Mario joined the Capricorn Board in July 2014 as an Independent Director. Mario became Chair of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee in October 2023 and has previously served as a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and the Digital and Transformation Committee. Mario also served as Vice Chair to the Board from 2019 to 2022.

Mario is also Director and Chair of the Capricorn Mutual Board.

Mario brings over 26 years of experience as a senior executive and director in large and complex organisations. Mario has enjoyed a lengthy career in the general insurance, funds management, and financial services fields. Mario was formerly CEO of the Guild Group (2009 to 2022), CEO of CGU Insurance (2004-2008), and a Senior Group Executive with Insurance Australia Group (1999-2008). Mario has also held several non-executive directorships over the past 11 years.

Nigel has 34 years of automotive industry experience. He has been a Capricorn Member for 26 years and was first elected to the Board in October 2022. Nigel is a member of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee and Capricorn’s Relationship Committee.

Nigel is currently the national representative of AASDN (Australian Automotive Service Dealers Network) and is also a WA representative for the Automotive Repairers Council of Australia.

Nigel has previous committee experience working with the Bosch Service Council of WA, the Australian Bosch Service Dealers Network, and as Chair of the OTRA (On The Road Again Tours charity group).

Samantha Martin-Williams (Sam) was first appointed as an Independent Director in October 2024 and is a member of Capricorn’s Audit and Risk Committee and the Capricorn Relationship Committee.

Sam is a professional company director with 30 years of experience across highly regulated finance, infrastructure, resources, education, and technology sectors. Sam currently serves as the current Chair (elect) of NGM Group Australia, one of Australia’s largest customer-owned, multi-branded banks, and Chair at Newcastle Airport Ltd, a Board Director at Fishburners, and a Division Councillor at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sam provides specialist advice on human capital, emerging technologies, and contemporary governance.

Sam is a former Telstra Businesswoman of the Year, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Professor of Practice at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Sam has degrees in Commercial Law, Industrial Relations, and Business, having also completed executive education at MIT Sloan, Harvard Business School, and INSEAD.