Business, Economic Development and Covid Recovery Advisory Panel

Provides high-level independent expert advice to help deliver Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision.

Following the launch of the economic strategy discussion paper, the panel’s focus will be to support the sustainable recovery of our local economy, particularly the city centre. This area is NSW’s leading economic hub and was most impacted by the pandemic.

Collaborative effort and partnerships between public and private actors are central to recovery and achieving economic resilience. This effort will be an important mechanism for development and delivery of the City of Sydney’s next economic strategy.

City of Sydney

: GPO Box 1591
Sydney 2001
: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

About the panel

This panel’s focus is to provide strategic advice to the City of Sydney to ensure sustained recovery of our economy. This includes advice about building business diversity and economic resilience, developing a strong innovation economy and opportunities to develop a vibrant 24-hour economy and nightlife.

The advisory panel includes members highly recognised in relevant professional fields and who have demonstrated experience, seniority and knowledge of economic areas. Their areas of expertise cover trade and investment, attracting talent, the innovation economy, green economy and sustainable finance, creative economy, community wealth building, the night-time economy and the visitor economy.

They also advocate to other government agencies, the private sector and relevant peak bodies on key priority economic issues.

Term of referencePDF · 463.99 KB · Last modified 7 March 2024

Panel members

Anita Mitchell is the Chief Executive at Placemaking NSW. Anita has over 25 years’ experience in executive management, sustainability, social impact and corporate assurance spanning energy, water, waste, property and construction in both the public and private sectors. In January 2021, Anita was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive of Placemaking NSW leading the teams responsible for managing and transforming some of Sydney’s most treasured places, including The Rocks, Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, Luna Park and White Bay.
Chris has been instrumental in developing the world-famous culture that Canva has become renowned for. As the Head of Vibe, he developed a workplace and environment for the team to thrive. He also brings experience in the night-time economy, having run various restaurants in the inner city. He’s passionate about giving back and sharing Canva’s success with the broader community. As one of the world’s fastest-growing companies, Canva aspires to cement Sydney as a hub for innovation and in doing so, hopes to have an enduring, sustainable and economically beneficial impact on the city.
Deb Zimmer is the Chief Executive Officer of Bridgeclimb and Group Chief Financial Officer at Hammons Holdings. Bridgeclimb is one of Australia’s leading visitor attractions. Hammons Holdings is a third-generation Australian family business that has owned and operated BridgeClimb and Scenic World in the Blue Mountains. The group also invests in other tourism and leisure businesses, including Sydney Zoo. Deb brings a strong understanding of the impacts to the visitor economy from the pandemic and provides deep insights into visitor behaviours and needs.
Debbie Barwick is the Chairperson and Executive Officer at NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. She is also a national and international award winning Aboriginal Entrepreneur and Business Owner who believes that Aboriginal people themselves are the solution to social and economic parity and that “enabling Aboriginal leadership regionally, nationally and globally is a strategic and wise investment toward a stronger Australian Economy and Nation.”
Karl Schlothauer is Chief Executive Officer at House of Pocket and Vice President of YCK Laneway Association. He is also the President of the Independent Bars Association NSW.

YCK Laneway Association is a consortium of independently operated retail, hospitality, corporate and entertainment businesses who have chosen to collaborate to achieve greater outcomes for the area and local businesses. Karl is a member of the NSW Government 24-Hour Economy Advisory Panel.
Katie Stevenson is the NSW Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, the nation’s peak representative body in property and construction. Its members include investors, owners, managers and property developers in all asset classes.

Responsible for developing and applying the Property Council’s engagement, policy and advocacy, she has deep experience working across state and local government over 2 decades. She has previously worked as Chief of Staff for the NSW Government in education, planning, transport, cities and infrastructure, and played a leading role in the state’s Covid response and recovery.
Kirsten Andrews is Vice-Principal, External Relations at the University of Sydney.

She is the strategic lead for externally facing activities at the University of Sydney. with responsibility for the University’s engagement with industry, government and community, Marketing and Communications, Media and Public Relations, Museums and Cultural Engagement, Events and Student Recruitment, Admissions and Mobility. Kirsten has experience across two universities, the not-for-profit sector and state and federal government. She has worked at Sydney University since 2013, serving as the Vice-Chancellor’s Chief of Staff and Director of Media and Government Relations.
Matt Jones is co-founder and Brand Director at Four Pillars Gin.

Matt is a creative thinker and has expertise in multi-disciplinary thinking to solve problems. He has the desire to inspire a greener, smarter, more creative, diverse, innovative, human and sustainable future. He has a passion for the experience economy, from hospitality to the arts, and understands the challenges the growth in on-demand home delivery/service creates for businesses. He also understands the need to think strategically and creatively about diversity, inclusion and innovation and has a strong desire to give back to our local community. He began his career as a UK government economist in the civil services.
Paul Nicolaou is Executive Director at Business Sydney.

Business Sydney represents a deep network of members from across a broad range of industries: financial and professional services, construction and development, health, education, arts and culture, tourism and hospitality, as well as technology, transport, and logistics sector.

Paul is focused on advocacy and delivering policies and outcomes to drive economic growth and create opportunities to attract investment, jobs, talent to Sydney.
Paul Zahra is Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Retailers Association. He is also a Non-Executive Director, Board and Company Advisor and one of Australia’s most influential corporate diversity advocates. A leading force in the Australian Retail Industry for over 40 years, Paul represents small to large retailers through the Australian Retailers Association.

Paul’s corporate roles have included Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of David Jones Limited as well as senior leadership roles at Target Australia and Officeworks Superstores. Paul advises Boards and Companies in retail (both traditional and start-ups), leadership, transformational change and diversity.