ESG Advisor, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer
+61 408 000 642
Damian.Johnson@LeadersOnDemand.com
Damian is an energetic leader with extensive domestic and international experience in both publicly listed and privately owned businesses. He has a passion for and is active in bringing sustainability to the SME sector through advice, education and project leadership.
His mature level of strategy, operational, risk and financial skills are brought together in situations that require a holistic approach to problem solving and opportunity realisation. Damian is known for his ability to bring clarity, align stakeholders, and deliver in a pragmatic manner.
Managing situations ranging from startup businesses to major transformation projects and M&A transactions has enabled Damian to add value to organisations based on whatever needs and opportunities arise over the cycle.
Career History
Originally qualifying and working as an accountant, Damian then moved into banking with ANZ where he worked for 21 years of which 10 years were in Asia. This saw him develop deep experience in the financial services sector across multiple roles, jurisdictions and cultures.
Upon returning to Australia in 2009, Damian moved into the managed services sector and undertook leadership roles in ASX listed workforce management companies. During this period, Damian successfully led and transformed the core business and technology of these entities including delivery of lynchpin enterprise projects.
In 2015, Damian moved into the CFO/CIO role with a private contract services business operating in the Telecommunications and Insurance sectors.
In 2020, Damian turned his focus to sustainability in organisations. Starting with the development of an ESG methodology for the SME sector, Damian has advised on sustainability strategy, education for directors, delivered ESG in Banking modules to an international cohort of bankers and led ESG and B-Corp accreditation projects.
Leadership Highlights
Delivered major technology projects that enabled a large private company to enter a new sector and disrupt current incumbents, and then licensed the solution to a major government enterprise as a key future operating platform.
Transformed Chandler Macleod workforce and HR services business consolidating three businesses into one nationally, reset the cost base and delivered concurrent reduction in safety incidents of 25%.
Delivered lynchpin enterprise IT projects for Skilled Ltd workforce management business before moving to lead a period of double digit revenue growth in core workforce business.
Delivered rapid growth in network and new product revenue streams for ANZ bank during a period of major investment and expansion of Personal and Private Banking across Asia.
Led and participated in multiple buy side and sell side M&A transactions from target identification through to completion.
Successfully led organisational sustainability initiatives that seeks to embed rather that overlay sustainability.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Swinburne University, MBA Melbourne Business School, Graduate member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
Sectors
Financial Management, Human Resource Services, Telecommunications, Insurance, Contracting Services
Functions
Sustainability & ESG, General Management, Finance & Treasury, Commercial,, Strategy, Risk Management, People & Culture, Operations, Technology, M&A
Situations
New business Start-ups, Multi-jurisdictional Business Management (Asia), Operations Transformation, Rapid Growth, Acquisition and Integration, Preparation for Sale of Business
Favourite quotes
“What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence” Samuel Johnson
“Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good” Jochen Zeitz
“I joined Leaders on Demand...
... because I am passionate about working with others to help create sustainable organisations. Whether working on performance improvement, major transactions, projects or developing strategy, risk and ESG frameworks, I want to leave an enduring imprint”
“When I'm not at work...
... trying to bring out the inner artist behind the lens of a camera whilst looking for that elusive landscape shot. When time allows the pursuit of fitness on a bike is a favourite pastime, as is hunting down great wine to have with friends”