Retirement of UNE Partnerships’ longest serving director
Dr Phil Bennett, chairman of the UNE Partnerships’ Board of Directors, retired on 19 May 2009 after 15 years of outstanding service. Phil was farewelled over lunch recently in Sydney, where his contribution to UNE Partnerships was recognised. Phil’s wife Elesa also attended the lunch hosted by the board.
Phil was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1994 and is our longest serving board member. His connection with the University of New England (UNE) extends back to 1984 when as head of Mayne Nickless Information Services he provided a research grant and professional advice to the Agricultural Business Research Institute to assist in developing Australia’s first electronic system for livestock marketing.
UNE Partnerships Board from left to right: Dr James Harris, Member of UNE Council; Professor Alison Sheridan, Head of School, Faculty of The Professions, School of Business, Economics and Public Policy, University of New England; Chris Patton, Chief Development Officer, University of New England; Phil Bennett; Gary Smith, Practice Manager; and Richard Doyle, Managing Director, UNE Partnerships.
In 2004 UNE’s Council conferred on Phil the degree of Honorary Doctor of the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution.
Phil has been a leader in Australia’s business community for over two decades including senior positions with a number of other large public companies such as Esso, Dulux, Bradmill, Computer Accounting Service.
Apart from successfully building up his own business, Minorplanet Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, he has also provided consulting services to a number of Australian companies.
Phil’s diverse corporate career and his business acumen has provided UNE Partnerships’ board with invaluable strategic guidance as it developed into a leading education and training company.
Retirement will give Phil more time with family, sailing and sampling his vineyard’s harvest.
