Board - ITEK - The Commercialisation Company of the University of South Australia

Board Member

Mr Grace was appointed Chairman of ITEK in 2009. He has worked for 40 years in the biotechnology industry, 20 years of which he was a CEO. He has applied this experience in organisations ranging from Burns Philp to CSIRO and AMRAD. In the latter company, he served as Managing Director for 11 years. He operates a consulting business, TechAdvisory Pty Ltd, advising on research commercialisation particularly in the University sector.

Mr Grace is a Director and a Vice President of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering; a member of the Council of the Australian Institute of Marine Science; a Director of the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund Pty Ltd and Chair of its Investment Management company TTFM Pty Ltd. He Chaired the 2010 Victorian government's VSA $41m Investment fund investment review panel.

Paul Beard is Chief Operating Officer at the University of South Australia with responsibility for finance, facilities, IT, planning and institutional analytics.Paul has been a member of the UniSA senior executive since 2001 and prior to that he held senior finance roles in both the private and public sector. Paul is a Chartered Accountant and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School in 2007.

Between 1996 and 2001 he worked in the electricity industry in South Australia, during a period of significant organisational and industry change, in roles including Chief Financial Officer of ETSA Power and Manager Finance with the new private sector owner, AGL.

Prior to that Paul worked as a Senior Manager with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Adelaide and the United Kingdom, and worked in a senior finance position with Vision Systems, a publicly listed technology company in Adelaide.

Bruce Linn is an experienced Company Director who leads a successful governance and strategic management consulting business based in Adelaide, South Australia.



Formerly CEO of Finlaysons Lawyers, his previous executive roles include Chief Executive for EDS (now HP Enterprise Services) and CEO of Camtech, one of Australia's leading Internet & Electronic Payments technology innovators.



A Science graduate of The University of Adelaide, he is a technologist with over 30 years experience in strategy, governance, leadership, business management and broad range of technologies including IT, telecommunications, Internet and social media.



Current Directorships include the Council of the University of South Australia where he Chairs the Finance Committee, the boards of SABRENet Limited, ITEK Pty Ltd, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and as Chairman of the national Internet Industry Association (IIA), St. Peter's Collegiate Girls School and Connecting Up Inc.



He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and the Australian Computer Society.

Stephen is Chief Executive of ITEK. He previously held dual roles as Business Development Director at Bio Innovation SA and Senior Investment Manager at Terra Rossa Capital Pty Ltd. 

He was educated at the University of Adelaide gaining a first class honours degree, a PhD in Biochemistry and was awarded the University Medal. Subsequently he was awarded the prestigious CJ Martin and Arthritis Foundation fellowships for a post doctorial position at Harvard University.

Stephen has a successful track record in attracting grant funding, numerous publications in high-impact peer reviewed journals and has personally generated patentable innovations for commercialisation. He has been actively involved in technology commercialisation at every stage of the process including implementation of technology development and intellectual property (IP) strategies, capital raisings and has performed executive management roles in early stage companies.

Bruce is responsible for commercial management and corporate governance of the ITEK group of companies. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is currently a non executive director of 3 start-up companies in the ITEK portfolio. He also manages the ITEK Catalyst Fund which provides pre-seed funding for ITEK approved projects. His past experience includes senior commercial roles in the transport, retail and manufacturing industries, management consulting in M&A and business planning and franchising services.

Sarina provides legal advice on IP management and commercialisation to ITEK and associated entities.

She previously held positions with Bio Innovation SA, SA Government Department of Industry, Investment and Trade, Luminis Pty Ltd (University of Adelaide) providing a range of IP, consulting and commercial counsel roles.

Sarina holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide and was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court in 1977.

Yvette is responsible for all the accounting functions for ITEK and its group of companies. She also ensures ITEK's compliance with UniSA reporting requirements and assists in the review of financial and business plans for new business opportunities.

Yvette has worked for various SMEs including transport, franchising, professional services and project management.

Yvette holds a Bachelor of Commerce, an Ass Dip in Accounting and is an associate member of CPA Australia.

Stephanie is responsible for intellectual property management and commercialisation. She has broad experience working with executives and general management, advising on intellectual property management and technology commercialisation in the Biotechnology sector. She is accomplished in business deal negotiation, business plans preparation and technology opportunity assessment has successfully sourced business opportunities attracting international sales. Drawing on exceptional analytical and project management skills obtained from her experience in the science, communication and commerce, Stephanie has a holistic approach to assessing the commercial potential of technologies.

Stephanie holds a Masters degree in Science and Technology Commercialisation from the University of Adelaide, a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Lund, Sweden and is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Masako is committed to identifying and developing investment opportunities arising from the University of South Australia. She was previously co-sponsored by the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund, a $30 million venture dedicated to investing pre-seed capital into early stage technologies arising from collaborating Universities. Masako has a full working knowledge of both research and industry.

Masako holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry, Chemistry) from the University of Adelaide.

Mark is responsible for the evaluation of new technology and research opportunities, IP management and commercial development. He has progressed opportunities into novel applications prior to engaging in licensing, partnering and spin-out strategies. Mark has played an integral role in the development of small business units and spin-out companies.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science and Technology Commercialisation from the University of Adelaide. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.