2021 EY Australia & New Zealand Entrepreneurs of the Year
Linda Brown, President & CEO, Torrens University/Media Design School
&
Mohammed Hikmet, Executive Chairman HMI Technologies Ltd/Ohmio Automation Ltd
"The future of education and autonomous vehicles"
Linda Brown is a distinguished leader within education and was named the EY Australia Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 in recognition of her entrepreneurial approach and focus on a connected global movement of industry, learners and changemakers. With a firm belief that education is a fundamental human right, she always challenges the status quo to ensure all students have access to education that fits their needs and prioritizes employability.
In 2014, Linda helped found Torrens University Australia, which at that time was the first new university in Australia in 20 years. As President and CEO of Australia’s only private for-profit university and only university to be a Certified B Corporation, she has overseen substantial growth, consistently high student retention levels and a focus on return-on-investment for students and the employers that employ those students. Under her guidance, Torrens University is now Australia’s fastest-growing university, home to over 20,000 students from 115 different countries. Linda’s role as CEO extends far beyond Australia and New Zealand, leading SEI’s work towards creating a global university. She also currently oversees Think Education in Australia and the Media Design School in New Zealand.
Linda frequently represents Torrens University internationally - presenting at summits, advocating for female diversity and inclusion, and working with affiliated partners to strengthen institutional and global relations. Linda has represented Australia for six years at APEC Women Leaders’ Conference in Asia Pacific and was identified by Management Today as one of “25 Australian women to watch”.
Prior to joining Torrens University, Linda was Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director of TAFE at Swinburne University, Melbourne where she was responsible for maximising the dual sector advantage, driving the sustainability and social inclusion strategies, and managing the TAFE Division. Her global business and educational experience include Corporate CEO, Futures Stockbroker, Managing Director and Director of Stoke-on-Trent FE College. She was also part of the UK Government’s rapid response team for the Further Education Funding Council and was part of a UK think tank on education as a global business.
Mohammed Hikmet, Co-founder and Managing Director of HMI Technologies, has been crowned New Zealand's 2019 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year at a prestigious awards ceremony held in Auckland.
In 1996, Mohammed moved to New Zealand with his family, completing an electronic engineering diploma at AIT while delivering pizzas at night. By 1998, he’d started a computer repair business, with Ahmed joining him in 1999. The business evolved to manufacture electronic road signs in 2002, establishing ties with Chinese factories. Mohammed eventually spent four years in China founding his own factory to ensure quality in the supply chain.
In 2015, Mohammed realised that the likely emergence of autonomous vehicles would eventually reduce the need for road signs and visual communication with drivers. “If we wanted to stay relevant, I decided we needed to build our knowledge of autonomous vehicles,” says Mohammed. This led to him forming a consortium, in January 2017, with Christchurch Airport, Christchurch City Council, Canterbury University, Ministry of Transport and NZTA to bring the first autonomous vehicle to Australasia.
Mohammed represented New Zealand competing against over 60 national winners for the coveted title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ in Monte Carlo in June.
Date: 14th Nov
Time: 5.00pm to 7.30pm presentation followed by refreshments and networking.
Venue: Ernst & Young, Level 9, 2 Tataki Square, Auckland, 1010
Cost: Members $55 inc GST, Non-Members $65 inc GST
Please register by 10th Nov
