Rick joined the HBS Group as Non-Executive Chair in 2021, bringing extensive leadership and boardroom expertise. A seasoned professional company director, Rick serves on the boards of several ASX-listed companies, including as Non-Executive Chair of three, notably Energy Resources of Australia Limited (ERA), a Rio Tinto subsidiary. ERA, once a major uranium producer operating Australia’s longest-running uranium mine, is now dedicated to world-class rehabilitation and creating a positive legacy following the closure of the Ranger Mine in 2021.

Rick’s career spans over 35 years with EY, where he held key leadership roles, including Managing Partner Queensland, CFO Asia Pacific, and Leader of EY’s Australia-China Business Group. His influence extended to public policy as a founding member of Queensland Premier Anna Bligh’s inaugural Queensland China Council.

With over three decades of expertise in corporate finance and restructuring, Rick has led transformative projects in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. His portfolio includes significant mining restructures, such as Torres Strait Gold and Cloncurry Mining Company. Through his strategic leadership, Rick continues to drive impactful governance and operational excellence.

James has been a Director of HBS PNG Limited since 2022, following his tenure on the HBS Group Advisory Board (2020–2021). He is the Managing Partner of Gore Consulting, bringing over 25 years of expertise in chartered accounting across Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia. His career includes senior roles at EY (Partner) and PwC (Senior Manager), specializing in financial assurance, accounting advisory, corporate finance, governance, and strategy.

An accomplished entrepreneur, James has founded and led ventures across diverse industries, fostering innovation and sustainable development. His thought leadership on corporate governance, financial management, and business strategy is widely recognized, with contributions at conferences, in publications, and as a social media influencer shaping discourse on PNG’s socio-economic progress.

James serves as PNG’s representative on the APEC Business Advisory Council, advocates for small business growth as Founder of the MSME Council, and promotes professional excellence as Vice President of CPA PNG. Through his leadership and policy influence, he continues to drive meaningful impact locally and regionally.

Bob is a towering figure in PNG's construction and mining landscape, with an unparalleled 51-year career marked by resilience, expertise, and leadership. Spending 26 years with top-tier construction companies Barclay Bros and Pangia Constructions, Bob mastered logistics, plant and equipment asset management across diverse operations—spanning aircraft, landing barges, major construction fleets, and real estate. Renowned for maintaining heavy equipment in some of the most remote and challenging environments, he has been instrumental in every major PNG mining and gas project, from Bougainville Copper to the latest LNG developments.

In 1995, Bob founded his own Brisbane-based company, delivering heavy equipment, spare parts, and technical support to the PNG market while trading machinery globally. By 2006, he doubled down on his commitment to PNG, founding HBS Machinery. Under his leadership, the company rapidly became a cornerstone in construction equipment and mining support services.

Bob’s boardroom acumen matches his field expertise. His directorships include:

Director of PNG Contractors (1974–1989)

Director of Barclay Mowlem (1983–1990)

Director of Pangia Constructions (1991–1994)

Sole Director of Representative Agencies Pty Ltd (1995–2012)

Today, Bob serves as Director of Watrep Pty Ltd, HBS Group of Companies, Hidden Valley Contractors, and Fubilan Joint Venture. A no-nonsense leader with decades of hard-earned experience, Bob is trusted for his unwavering dedication, strategic insight, and unmatched capability to deliver in high-stakes environments. He is the driving force behind HBS’s continued success and a cornerstone of PNG’s construction and mining sectors.

Drew leads HBS Group's diverse operations, including machinery dealerships, property holdings, and contracting services for mining, civil, and building projects across Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. He fosters a "Safety First" culture, emphasizing efficient, well-managed operations and results for clients, while upholding HBS’s core values of Integrity, Teamwork, Delivering, and Caring.

Since joining HBS in 2023, Drew’s vision is to establish the company as the most respected resource and construction services provider and the most recognized and trusted equipment supplier in the region. This vision relies on a unified HBS team committed to safety and supported by quality clients.

Current Board Experience
Director of Hidden Valley Contractors
Director and Chairman of HBS / Essar Joint Venture

Mick, Dealer Principal at HBS’s Head Office in Lae, Morobe Province, is a trusted leader with over 20 years of experience in mining supply, sales, and operations. His expertise spans a range of industries, including agribusiness, transport and logistics, equipment hire, waste management, and heavy machinery. Known for his strategic insight and strong business connections, Mick is highly respected among peers and clients alike.

A seasoned professional, Mick excels in managing complex machinery and logistics operations, driving seamless coordination from supply to delivery. He is adept at retail network distribution, inventory management, and negotiating with global suppliers to ensure efficient and cost-effective outcomes. Mick is committed to exceeding client expectations through premium product delivery and exceptional support services.

Leading by example, Mick embodies HBS’s core values by fostering a culture of engagement, development, and continuous training within his team, while prioritizing workplace safety. His deep industry knowledge, unwavering reliability, and strategic leadership make him a cornerstone of HBS’s ongoing success.

Santhy is a seasoned Senior Finance Executive with over 25 years of experience in financial management, commercial leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration. A Chartered Accountant with a proven track record in business partnering, Santhy has worked across Indonesia, Singapore, Dubai, and Papua New Guinea, including with industry leaders such as Clough and Petrosea TBK.

Renowned for building high-performing teams and driving strategic outcomes, Santhy specializes in implementing transparent financial frameworks, delivering insightful analytics, and ensuring robust corporate governance. Her ability to foster strong relationships with stakeholders underpins her commitment to strengthening HBS’s market leadership and cultivating an engaged, positive organizational culture.

With extensive expertise spanning diverse regions and industries, Santhy brings a unique perspective and unwavering dedication to excellence in financial management and strategic growth.

As Division Manager – Operations - at HBS’s Head Office in Lae, Morobe Province, Jim is a qualified project manager with over 20 years of experience in quarrying, mining, and civil engineering construction. He oversees the operational performance of HBS Projects, including Simberi, Manus Island, and Lihir, as well as HBS Solomons Island (HBS SI), Fubilan Joint Ventures, and Hidden Valley Contractors. Jim manages projects from tender preparation and contract negotiation to practical completion.

His extensive experience spans various business environments, including management, project sites, and tendering. This background has enabled Jim to build high-performing teams, negotiate contract extensions, and achieve improved financial results.

Jim adopts a collaborative, solution-focused approach, supporting his team and ensuring successful project and business outcomes. As an effective communicator, he understands clients' needs and aligns with HBS’s core values by fostering a supportive, collaborative team environment.

20 Years’ experience in Management across quarrying, mining, and civil contracts