Executive Team

Samantha Read
CEO

Samantha was appointed CEO in January 2014.

Samantha’s career spans more than 30 years across the chemicals, plastics, renewable fuels, automotive and steel industries.

Prior to joining the Association, she was CEO of the Biofuels Association of Australia and held senior executive and board roles at GM Holden and General Motors Australia and was a Non-Executive Director of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Samantha has diverse and extensive experience in strategy development, business transformation and management, government relations, public policy and commercial negotiations, and has built partnerships with government, industry, research, university and community organisations. 

To provide the best outcomes for current and future generations, Samantha’s focus is on building sustainable and resilient industries, businesses and communities. She is a passionate advocate for Australian manufacturing and believes that our industrial base is critical for Australia’s economic health and community wellbeing, providing skilled and high value STEM jobs, investment and new technologies to meet our future challenges. Samantha believes our industries provide the foundation upon which we can take advantage of new and emerging technologies to transition current industries, seed new industries and businesses, and provide economic, environmental and social benefit for Australian communities.

Over the last 20 years, Samantha has chaired and contributed to numerous government and industry committees and boards focused on policy and program implementation to drive growth and investment in Australian manufacturing. Samantha is currently a member of the Federal Government’s Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group, the International Trade Remedies Forum, the Strategic Consultative Committee for Australia’s Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme and WorkSafe Victoria’s OHS Advisory Committee. Samantha Chairs the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Sustainability Council and is a member of CSIRO's Ending Plastic Waste Mission Advisory Committee, the Monash Industry Council of Advisors and Chemical Engineering Advisory Board.

Awarded Monash University’s 2015 Distinguished Alumni (Engineering), Samantha was also a finalist in the 2014 Telstra Business Women's Awards. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Materials Engineering from Monash University, is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Peter Bury
Director - Strategy, Energy and Research
Company Secretary

Peter joined the Association in 2001. Peter is responsible for supporting industry growth, diversity and competitiveness through strategy, policy and development of the Strategic Industry Roadmap, gas policy and innovation programs.

He provides specialist policy and technical advice for, and on, the chemistry industry, strategic partnerships with government, industry, research, academia and community.  As the Chemistry Australia Company Secretary, he provides advice to the Board and CEO on strategy, governance, risk and industry development.

Peter represents Chemistry Australia members on the Australian Academy of Science National Committee for Chemistry, the Green Chemical Futures Board, the Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing Board, the Chemical and Plastics Manufacturing Innovation Network Board and the Global Plastics and Environment network.  Peter is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Peter has a diverse background with more than 37 years experience in the automotive, materials handling, industrial and agricultural film, association management and emergency services sectors. During this time his responsibilities have included: manufacturing engineering; marketing and sales; plant management; environment, health and safety, research and development, recycling, national issues management and strategic development.  In addition to his industry work, Peter is an officer and operational firefighter with the Country Fire Authority.

Bernard Lee
Director - Policy and Regulation

Bernard joined the Association in September 2015 and leads the Chemistry Australia regulatory team. His role is national, encompassing engagement with federal and state governments, regulators and other stakeholders on legislative reform and regulatory policy issues impacting the Australian chemistry industry.

Bernard has formal qualifications in law and taxation and he was admitted as a Barrister to the Supreme Court of NSW in 1991.
 
Bernard is a passionate advocate on behalf of the Australian chemistry industry, with extensive government networks and experience dealing with regulatory matters.