Meet our leadership and communication experts
Simon Mariner
MANAGING PARTNER
Simon is a specialist in Leadership Communication and Professional Negotiation skills. He helps chairs, CEOs and executive teams become exceptional (written and) spoken communicators.
Working with ASX listed companies, politicians and government departments, Simon offers a proven approach to engaging, inspiring and influencing at the highest possible level, regardless of the circcumstances.
His early career focus was the financial markets, working in an advisory role which demanded extensive sales, management and leadership skills.
Tim Ayliffe
PARTNER
Tim is an award-winning thriller author and former media executive who passionately believes in the power of storytelling and clear, authentic, communication.
His 25-year career in journalism saw Tim work in London and in Australia for the ABC, where he oversaw thousands of hours of television as an executive producer and managing editor of TV News.
Tim’s decades of experience telling stories makes him uniquely placed to help businesses craft and share their stories to capture attention.
Carolyn Fletcher
senior associate
Carolyn brings a wealth of experience that inspires board members and executives to successfully face the challenges, issues and opportunities in spoken communication, leadership and presentation skills.
Carolyn worked in marketing, merchant banking, policy research and urban planning before becoming Vice President of the NSW Liberal Party.
She is a Member of the Order of Australia and was awarded an AM for significant services to the community
Reuben Omaji
Associate
A graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Reuben served 15 years as an Army Officer reaching the rank of Major. Subsequent to his military career, he served as the CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society in Nth Queensland.
Reuben now uses his experience to build business communications and leadership skills.
Mark Spatz
Associate
Mark is an Organisational Psychologist and Senior Human Resources professional with particular interests in talent management, including the full span of attracting, recruiting, on-boarding, developing and retaining key executives.
He consults as a professional negotiator, enables senior executives with their career pursuits, supports management teams through transformational initiatives and provides clarity of organisational purpose.
Don Gough
Founder
Don retired as managing partner of Black Isle in 2016, after more than 40 years experience in senior marketing and management positions with a number of leading Australian and international organisations.
His initial career focus was product marketing, and he was National Marketing Manager for CSR, Colgate Palmolive, Cottees General Foods and Alberto Culver. Later he became interested in services marketing, joining Coopers & Lybrand and later being appointed National Marketing Director of leading law firm Clayton Utz in 1992.
