SummaryProfile JAH June 2015 · MCU15/0122

SHORT PROFILE – John A. Humphreys

John Humphreys is the Managing Director of the Global Innovation Centre, a knowledge-based organization focused on the development of new and emerging industries. An acknowledged international, national and regional cluster specialist, John has adopted a leadership role in the development of ‘frontier industries’ in Australia, anticipating new global and national trends. His multifaceted career has included the following:

Private Sector
Co-Founder & Managing Director of the Global Innovation Centre (2000-2015) and its predecessor, InterTech Management (1992-1999)
Chair of the Australian Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) Cluster, to develop next-generation vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communications (2008-2012)
Chair of the ITS in Rail Level Crossing Safety Steering Committee (2010 - 2011)
Secretariat for Austroads’ Cooperative ITS Industry Reference Group (2010 – 2011)
Chair of the Australasian SKA Industry Consortium (2005-2014), which included the following roles:
- 	Sole Australian representative of the Engineering Organising Committee for the International SKA Forum 2011 (Banff, Canada)
Member of the COST (European Union) Steering Committee to evaluate non-science benefits from the SKA
Australian representative to develop bilateral industry relationships under an Australian-Italy (government) MOU relating to SKA
Member of the Industry Participation & Procurement Advisory Group (IPPAG) of the Australia and New Zealand SKA Coordination Committee
Invited international speaker/panelist to the “Connecting Science, Industry & Society” Workshop in the Netherlands (June 2010) & the International SKA Forum in Banff, Canada (July 2011)
Australian Consultant to the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (AEEMA) including the role as National Industry Cluster specialist (2002-2008).  In this role, he led the Australian Telematics Industry Initiative, from 2004 to 2008, and was a member of the government-endorsed Strategic Leaders Group for the ICT/electronics industry in Australia.
Convenor of the Australian Industry Group’s Industry Cluster – Qld (2008)
Longer-term consultant to a Chinese multinational in next-generation telecommunications; a US supercomputer company; the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology organization and CSIRO
General Manager of Hong Kong Jockey Club's Technology R&D Centre, Gold Coast (the Hong Kong Jockey Club is a billion-dollar plus enterprise – this was its only offshore site)
State Government
Executive Officer of the Queensland Science & Technology Council (late ‘80’s & early '90's), an industry advisory body advising the State Government Minister on science and technology in Queensland.
Local Government
Regional Development Executive to Gold Coast City Council (through an alliance with the broader TECHQUAD “Technology Quadrangle of South-East Qld” regional initiative); initiating the “Pacific Innovation Corridor” precinct development approach aimed at diversifying the economic base of the Gold Coast region (1996-1997). Multi-million dollar development subsequently occurred within the precincts of that development.
Academia
General Manager of TECHQUAD under a Board comprising the South-East Qld Vice-Chancellors which sought to develop ‘smart’ industries in the region.
Post-graduate lecturer (part-time), Griffith University, in the Masters’ Program “Engineering, Communication and Leadership” at both Nathan and Gold Coast campus sites (2009) and in the “Technology Management’ Masters Program at Nathan in the early 1990’s. PhD co-supervisor.
Guest Lecturer at QUT and the University of Sunshine Coast
CSIRO (Australian Government)
Divisional Secretary, (Inaugural) Division of Information Technology in Australia, establishing offices in Sydney, Canberra & Melbourne
Senior Administrative Roles in Division of Tropical Crops & Pastures, (Inaugural) Division of Tropical Animal Science & (Inaugural) Division of Geomechanics in Brisbane

During his performance of the above inter-disciplinary and multi-dimensional roles, he has gained an in- depth understanding of a broad range of strategic issues impacting on the nation’s innovative capacity. John’s career has been characterized by the development of new growth industries in Australia and the bringing together of a wide range of public and private sector organizations in collaborative ventures. He has strong international connections through his private sector ventures. He intends to write a paper on a new model for regional innovation, ‘open innovation systems’ and collaboration, based on his extensive theoretical and practical experience. His company established and chaired the “Australasian SKA &:Big Data Industry Consortium’ in 2014/2015, leading to the granting of $15million for the Australia-wide “Internet of Everything” Innovation Centre.

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