As CEO of GWI, Neil Makepeace leads a team of specialist advisors who are trusted by government, corporates and communities to unlock information and data to solve some of their toughest problems.
Neil is known for his desire to make a difference. He is passionate about the power of data and information to give leaders the evidence and confidence they need to make wise decisions and ultimately drive business and social value.
Neil has worked extensively as an executive leader in ICT development, strategic planning and design, enterprise information management and multi-agency information sharing. He was founding chair of the Open Data Institute Queensland, a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating value in government, business and society through open data.
Having worked previously as a diplomat in Washington DC, Neil has a strong track record in solving complex problems on the international stage. He has worked in Europe and South Asia to specify and deliver classified information systems to a diverse range of international partners. Neil continues to be sought for his unique ability to interpret complex information and technology needs, and to negotiate the right solutions. He is a proven expert in major public sector ICT programs.
Neil is Board Chair of Autism Queensland and co- founded Mates4Mates, a highly successful charity committed to supporting injured members of the Australian Defence Forces, serving and retired, and their families.
Neil served as an officer in the British military for 25 years, during which time he specialised in the procurement of defence communication and information systems to meet complex, demanding and often sensitive business needs.

In 2021, Michelle was awarded by Women in Digital as the National Data Leader of the Year.

Michelle is a data and digital executive and thought leader focused on leveraging data and information ecosystems to transform business operations and reduce complexity. She is a leading business strategist who works extensively across all dimensions of strategic data management including strategy, architecture and governance, ethics, quality management, analytics, literacy, data exchange, privacy and security.

Preparing organisations for a more digitally enabled future driven by data is a core area of Michelle’s expertise. This has been demonstrated through the design and development of data-driven communities, and frameworks for government, industry and the community which help to overcome current challenges by leveraging digital and data opportunities.

Michelle’s clients include ASX-listed companies, local, state and federal governments, higher education, non-profit organisations and commercial enterprises in the resources, environment, ICT and financial sectors
Michelle holds a BA in Library and Information Science, is a member of the Australia Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), is a professional member of iapp and DAMA and is a certified PRINCE2 Practitioner.

Recent engagements Michelle has led:
Strategy development
Development of pragmatic enterprise data strategies, data management strategies and data and analytics strategies for clients in the Financial Services Industry, commercial, public sector and not-for-profit sectors.

Data Governance and Enablement
Design and development of enterprise data governance programs including the mobilisation of initiatives towards ROI based on improved data quality and reduced risk.

Data Architecture
Design of conceptual and contemporary data architectures to ensure functionality is available to support data flow and operations in the most efficient and effective manner.

Data Ethics
Development of data ethics frameworks for public sector organisations to guide decision-making relating to the capture, use and release of citizen data.

Information and Data Sharing
Design and implementation of multi-agency information sharing frameworks and data exchange schedules across Queensland Government based on best practice approaches.

Data Privacy
Assessment of risk related to data privacy through Privacy Impact Assessments and design of data protection protocols and incident response plans to ensure the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Data Literacy
Design and development of data literacy programs to mature data fluency across commercial and government sectors.

Open Data
Scoping and implementation of open data initiatives within best practice frameworks to promote innovation and sharing of data.

Smart Cities
Design and development of smart city strategies focussed on the collection, use and analysis of data and digital technologies to improve economic outcomes, liveability and sustainability of regional and urban areas

Partner Tim Sheehan brings to the GWI team over 20 years of experience advising clients across a broad range of industry sectors.

Throughout his career, Tim has managed a number of large-scale digital transformation projects involving the strategic update of cloud, product, web and program-related business assets.

Tim possesses a high degree of understanding of the strategy and execution of data-driven multi-channel campaigns and is an expert in interactive reporting solutions.

Tim also brings extensive experience in using a mixture of technology to develop a SCV, Segmentation and ETL processes to unlock the potential in his client’s data. Throughout his career he has also led the implementation of a number of interactive dashboards for several major retail companies.

Passionate about solving his clients’ business problems, Tim’s approach is fresh, creative and collaborative.

Tim’s considerable experience covers a wide range of industries including banking and finance, retail, travel and leisure, higher education and telecommunications.

Tim’s recent experience includes:
Implemented and designed a real-time dashboard for Australia’s largest gambling company, which provided actionable insights to a broad range of teams that spread from operations, marketing and executives.

Managed significant data governance and data quality program for an ASX listed organisation, including chairing their data governance council to ensure good practices were embedded and data quality KPI’s were met

Manage the development of data ethics assessment tool for one of Australia’ delivery of a VIP loyalty program for a large retailers including strategy, customer analysis, reporting and associated digital technology platforms implementation.

Managed the delivery of an online application program on behalf of a major Australian financial institution, engaging a large team of specialists to develop SAML and ETL authentication processes and management portal.

Led the implementation of a customer retention program including customer insights data management and reporting for a large whitegoods franchise.

Tim’s expertise includes:
Data Strategy
Data literacy
Data governance and quality champion
Single Customer View (SCV)
Customer Data Modelling & Segmentation
Extract Transform Load (ETL)
Customer Experience
Dashboards and customer insights
Customer Retention and Loyalty Programs
Web and native app development
Multi-channel communications, cloud solutions and customer insights

Jon O’Brien is a strategic and technically savvy executive with more than 20 years of experience in the information, communications and technology industry.

Jon has a proven track record for operating at scale and developing large complex initiatives that create social and economic value within a state and national context.

His values-based leadership style, customer advocacy and strategic focus enable Jon to consistently deliver transformational outcomes for clients. He has an outstanding track record of engagement across multiple customer segments — including the commercial, not-for-profit and public sectors — and has successfully led and delivered several projects valued in the hundreds of millions across the public sector.

Throughout his career, Jon has led large multi-disciplined teams, implemented several change management programs, developed and executed long-term sustainable business strategies, including M&A activity. Jon also played a critical role representing his previous employer in the Public Safety domain, including participation in Queensland’s State Disaster Management Group from 2011 to 2018, leading the G20 and Commonwealth Games planning and response activities.

Jon’s recent engagement experiences include:
Enterprise Architecture, business capability and enabling technology maturity assessment and gap analysis for a complex minimum viable product solution (whole of department).

Business Case development for a digital program including corporate systems rationalization.

Digital and ICT strategies for Councils and state government departments

Developing, managing and facilitating a large procurement on behalf of a Queensland government department with a total contract value greater than $150 million.

A Digital Industry Capability assessment for a State/Territory Government that benchmarked the state’s digital industry capability against all states, identified gaps and established a roadmap and initiatives to address the gaps.

Gated assurance reviews, programs and project health checks for ICT projects

Local Government telecommunications asset reviews including identifying current assets, options analysis, alternate business model assessment, and licensing arrangements.

Technology strategies and reviews including current states, target states, gap analysis, options analysis, roadmaps, high-level business requirements and business cases across several technology domains and industry verticals, including data services, satellite services, internet security, wireless technology, unified communications and contact centres for government departments and universities.

Strategic Data directions current state, future state, gap analysis and roadmap for a Queensland government department.

Market strategies, market sizing, frameworks and organising themes, bid strategy and support, and workshop facilitation.

Qualifications and memberships:
Bachelor’s Degree of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Bachelor’s Degree of Economics
MIEAus, CPEng NER APEC Engineer Int PE(Aus)
Post-graduate management studies at the Australian Graduate School of Management

Mike Lafford heads up the GWI NSW operations and manages a national team of consultants,  he is a highly experienced senior business manager with over 25 years of IT experience, including delivering strategic advisory services to C-level executives and supporting business strategy and major technology initiatives.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in the Asia Pacific region working across state and federal government, transport and financial services.

Previous experience includes consulting and technology research covering digital transformation, Strategy , business and technology cost optimisation, IT sourcing and procurement, IT benchmarking, metrics and general Data centre operations.

Mike has also managed large domestic and International cross-functional teams in the professional services sector.

Recent client engagements include:
IT Strategy & Roadmap for Local Government client
IT Governance frameworks for Local Government & member organisation
4-year Business plan for Federal Regulator
IT Financial assessment for NSW State government client
Leadership Development programs for Federal Health and NSW Health clients
Business Planning Platform selection and implementation for a Federal regulator
IT Operating Model Review for a Federal government client
IT Operating Model review for a utility client
Facilitating a shared services review for State Government Health system
Delivering a cost optimisation program for a commercial client in FSI Sector
Strategic Vendor Management maturity & capability program for an FSI client
Core platform procurement support for a Federal regulator

Mike has delivered multiple High Performing team workshops for Government and Commercial clients

Mike is an accomplished public speaker and workshop facilitator, he has been a regular contributor at Gartner Symposium, Summit Events, CIO Events and CIO Roundtables.