Welcome to the FBA Queensland page!

Mr. Peter Taylor - T & T Corporation (Chairman)

Peter has spent most of his working life (over 30 years) leading manufacturing or processing operations in the Steel Industry. In May 2003 his family company bought a small building business, Townsend Building Services, primarily servicing the Insurance Industry.  The key factors driving this decision were to build a business capable of providing serious income for himself and wife Gay in their retirement together with leveraging the skills of his three children and assisting them to become financially independent at a much earlier age than their parents.  As CEO of Townsend Building Services, Peter is primarily responsible for strategic direction and growth and has achieved an average of over 60% growth per annum.  Peter is looking forward to working with other family business people and contributing in some way to both the success of the organisation and the business that FBA represents.

Ms. Anthea Moores - KPMG

Anthea Moores is a Manager in KPMG’s Middle Market Advisory Division who focuses on, and is passionate about servicing the needs and raising the profile of Australian family businesses.

Anthea is involved with the Family Firm Institute (FFI), the international organisation for professional Family Business advisers. She regularly attends courses and conferences, both nationally and internationally, to keep herself up to date with all the latest techniques and processes that can be used to effectively advise families. She holds a FFI certificate – an international accreditation for Family Business advising.

Mr. Kelvin Slade - Slade Bros Plumbing

Kelvin is a 2nd generation Managing Director of Brisbane company Slade Bros Plumbing.

He held middle management and project management positions in national & multi-national organisations.  Following this period Kelvin returned to the family business bringing the experience gained with him. Seeing the business through many difficult times, Kelvin instigated strategic direction & growth.  

Joining FBA and in particular a forum group has given Kelvin much needed support on a professional level. Through the committee Kelvin is keen to work alongside other like minded people while representing the “small end of town” 

Outside of business, Kelvin has served on committee’s with the Master Plumbers Association of Qld and served on the board of Private School as well as being involved in Rotary International.

Mr. Tim Dwyer - Shirlaws Australia

Since joining Shirlaws as a business coach in 2001, Tim has worked successfully with a range of businesses from SME through mid-tier and large corporations. Widely applicable frameworks and skills have given Tim broad practical experience, with specific industries including property/planning and construction, real estate, professional services, transportation, and mining supplies.

As part of Shirlaws’ global business coaching vision, Tim is building a Brisbane-based team to service the growing SEQ region.  This allows Tim to focus much of his time addressing strategic aspects of his clients’ businesses, while the support of his team ensures full implementation of those priorities.  

Prior to joining Shirlaws, Tim held many senior positions including head of sales strategy for the Telstra SME Business Division and head of sales and account management for many of Telstra’s key corporate clients. Tim’s support of FBA over the past twelve months has included Qld state sponsorship, facilitation and support of FBA events in Brisbane and more recently his advisor education training and accreditation application. 

Tim believes FBA is a fantastic environment for family businesses to learn through others’ experience.  He is looking forward to promoting FBA in the marketplace and looking at how he can assist in strengthening the overall FBA value proposition.

Mrs. Johanna Townsley - Pronamics

Johanna Townsley is the Chief Executive Officer of Brisbane based specialist software developer Pronamics.

Johanna first joined the business in 2001 as a data entry temp before going on to gain experience in the administration, training, sales and operations areas. Johanna plays an integral role in the development and implementation of Pronamics’ growth strategies and she has a passion for encouraging dynamic and creative work environments.

As a 26 year old second generation CEO, Johanna brings a youthful and creative approach to the FBA committee.

Ms. Lara Dawson - Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers

Lara Dawson is a Senior Associate in Cooper Grace Ward Lawyer’s Property, Planning and Environment workgroup. In this role, Lara advises corporate and institutional owners, property developers, landlords, tenants and private property owners throughout Australia.

Lara has nearly 10 years experience advising clients in the areas of commercial, business and property law.  Lara has a particular interest in the areas of property development, joint ventures, business acquisitions and sales, franchising and leasing.

Lara grew up on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, before moving to the Gold Coast in 1999 for her first legal position after university and then in 2006 moved to Brisbane to extend her career and experience as a lawyer.  Lara grew up in the backyard of her own family’s family businesses and first developed an interest in family businesses and small to medium enterprises at this time.

As Lara’s career in the law has developed she has found an increasing interest in the areas of family businesses and small to medium enterprises and continues to pursue this interest through her involvement with Family Business Australia.

Lara is currently undergoing the Family Business Adviser Accreditation program.

Mrs. Kerry Seymour- Hawkins Family Group

Kerry is 4th Generation and Director of Hawkins Family Group.

During the last 30 Years Hawkins have increased their operations from one depot in Road Transport in Brisbane to having Depots all over Queensland, a Ferry Service and tourism business servicing Moreton Island and a Truck stop at the Port of Brisbane.

This is mainly due to the efforts of the Family (mum, dad and 4 children) working as a team to achieve their goals . Having the vision to expand into new and exciting fields has made Hawkins Family Group one of the Largest Family Transport firms in Queensland today.

Today Kerry acts as a Safety officer for the Group which is made easier by her knowledge of all aspects of Hawkins Family Group.

Mr. Justin Taylor - T & T Corporation (Next Generation Representative)

Prior to being involved in his family business, Justin’s career path focused on positions including project and environmental management for the steel industry. 

In 2003, Justin’s family acquired a building company however, this was soon modified based on a growth strategy and now resembles a project management company, utilising contractors in multiple locations from northern Queensland to central New South Wales. 

While the company has been in this growth phase there have been many challenges in both business and family, with the ultimate goal to provide three separate business arms with specific areas of interest for each sibling while having support and backing under the one company umbrella.

Justin has a keen interest in Next Generational issues and looks forward to learning from and supporting other Queensland families in similar situations.  In addition, Justin represents Queensland on the Next Generation National Committee and has taken up the position of Chairperson; this committee focuses of energising each state’s “Next Geners” with social and educational events, ultimately giving them opportunities which may not have been achieved outside the FBA.