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Our Management
Thomas G. Howitt
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Tom Howitt was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Vitura in December 2018 and as Company Secretary on 14 August 2020. Prior to joining the Company, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Global Kinetics Corporation, a pre-IPO life sciences company, Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary of Simavita Limited (ASX:SVA, TSX-V:SV) a digital healthcare company, Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary of Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX:GTG, NASDAQ:GENE) a large genetic testing company, and several other ASX-listed companies. Prior to that, Tom worked in the investment banking industry and was a Taxation Manager at EY.
Tom is a Chartered Accountant, a ten-year member of the Victorian Branch Committee of AusBiotech and a member of the CCRM Australia Industry Interface Committee based at Monash University.
Tom Howitt was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Vitura in December 2018 and as Company Secretary on 14 August 2020. Prior to joining the Company, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Global Kinetics Corporation, a pre-IPO life sciences company, Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary of Simavita Limited (ASX:SVA, TSX-V:SV) a digital healthcare company, Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary of Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX:GTG, NASDAQ:GENE) a large genetic testing company, and several other ASX-listed companies. Prior to that, Tom worked in the investment banking industry and was a Taxation Manager at EY.
Tom is a Chartered Accountant, a ten-year member of the Victorian Branch Committee of AusBiotech and a member of the CCRM Australia Industry Interface Committee based at Monash University.
Nicola Swarbrick
Chief Operating Officer
Nicola joined Vitura in August 2024 as the group's Chief Operating Officer. She is a seasoned professional with over 30 years experience in a variety of senior commercial leadership roles across hospitality, multi site retail, sales, leasing and strategic planning & delivery. Her roles have included National Business Improvement Manager Bunnings, General Manager Telstra WA, General Manager Tabcorp for NSW Lotteries and Golden Casket, Head Of Growth RFG and most recently COO of NightOwl Convenience.
She has had State, National and International accountabilities that rely heavily on the establishment, maintenance and improvement of governance connected to strict regulatory environments and the high performance teams that deliver strategy and execute operational outcomes.
Nicola joined Vitura in August 2024 as the group's Chief Operating Officer. She is a seasoned professional with over 30 years experience in a variety of senior commercial leadership roles across hospitality, multi site retail, sales, leasing and strategic planning & delivery. Her roles have included National Business Improvement Manager Bunnings, General Manager Telstra WA, General Manager Tabcorp for NSW Lotteries and Golden Casket, Head Of Growth RFG and most recently COO of NightOwl Convenience.
She has had State, National and International accountabilities that rely heavily on the establishment, maintenance and improvement of governance connected to strict regulatory environments and the high performance teams that deliver strategy and execute operational outcomes.
Ryan Tattle
Chief Revenue Officer
Ryan Tattle was appointed National Distribution Manager of Vitura in December 2021 and as Commercial Operations Manager in December 2022. In May 2023 Ryan was appointed Chief Revenue Officer. Having joined Vitura in 2019, he has extensive knowledge of the medicinal cannabis industry with a focus on execution, backed by a passion for commercial strategy, distribution and regulatory compliance. Ryan has played a key role in the growth of the Burleigh Heads Cannabis distribution operation, as well as being a driving force behind the creation, evolution and rollout of the CanView platform. Prior to joining Vitura, Ryan gained extensive start-up experience in a range of industries, including an American medical focused product development company where he oversaw a global supply chain, clinical trials and a national distribution network. He has previously developed and run an online multi-sided marketplace where he gained a deep understanding of the intricacies around platform and ecosystem strategy.
Ryan Tattle was appointed National Distribution Manager of Vitura in December 2021 and as Commercial Operations Manager in December 2022. In May 2023 Ryan was appointed Chief Revenue Officer. Having joined Vitura in 2019, he has extensive knowledge of the medicinal cannabis industry with a focus on execution, backed by a passion for commercial strategy, distribution and regulatory compliance. Ryan has played a key role in the growth of the Burleigh Heads Cannabis distribution operation, as well as being a driving force behind the creation, evolution and rollout of the CanView platform. Prior to joining Vitura, Ryan gained extensive start-up experience in a range of industries, including an American medical focused product development company where he oversaw a global supply chain, clinical trials and a national distribution network. He has previously developed and run an online multi-sided marketplace where he gained a deep understanding of the intricacies around platform and ecosystem strategy.
Dr. Stefan Schmidt
Chief Technology Officer
Dr Schmidt was appointed as Chief Technology Officer of Vitura in September 2024. Stefan brings over 20 years of experience in the field of software engineering and product management, having led the design and architecture for a variety of companies. Prior to joining Vitura, Stefan was Chief Product and Technology officer of HealthyLife / Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW). In this role, he established and led the digital team from inception of a new platform which is made up of e-Commerce, ERP, CRM, analytics and logistics components. In this role Stefan also established the HealthyLife Food Tracker. Prior to HealthyLife, Stefan established the digital team and platform for a new digital native business - Felix mobile - for Vodafone / TPG (ASX:TPG). Stefan has obtained extensive start-up and scale-up experience and enjoys highly collaborative, fast-paced environments to produce innovative solutions to market problems.
Stefan holds a BSc in Software Systems Engineering, MS in IT and a PhD in Computing Science.
Dr Schmidt was appointed as Chief Technology Officer of Vitura in September 2024. Stefan brings over 20 years of experience in the field of software engineering and product management, having led the design and architecture for a variety of companies. Prior to joining Vitura, Stefan was Chief Product and Technology officer of HealthyLife / Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW). In this role, he established and led the digital team from inception of a new platform which is made up of e-Commerce, ERP, CRM, analytics and logistics components. In this role Stefan also established the HealthyLife Food Tracker. Prior to HealthyLife, Stefan established the digital team and platform for a new digital native business - Felix mobile - for Vodafone / TPG (ASX:TPG). Stefan has obtained extensive start-up and scale-up experience and enjoys highly collaborative, fast-paced environments to produce innovative solutions to market problems.
Stefan holds a BSc in Software Systems Engineering, MS in IT and a PhD in Computing Science.
Ben Cirillo
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Ben joined Vitura in August 2021 as the Group’s Financial Controller, having previously served as a Finance Manager for a boutique aged care company, Luson Health. Prior to that he held various positions in the Assurance division at Ernst & Young with ASX listed clients including Telstra (ASX: TLS), Coles (ASX: COL) and Aconex (ASX: ACX).
Ben is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from LaTrobe University.
Ben joined Vitura in August 2021 as the Group’s Financial Controller, having previously served as a Finance Manager for a boutique aged care company, Luson Health. Prior to that he held various positions in the Assurance division at Ernst & Young with ASX listed clients including Telstra (ASX: TLS), Coles (ASX: COL) and Aconex (ASX: ACX).
Ben is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from LaTrobe University.
Deanna Johns
Head of People and Culture
Deanna joined Vitura in February 2022 as People and Culture Manager, bringing over 15 years’ business experience across a diverse portfolio of industries including hospitality, transport, retail and allied health. Dee is a highly energetic People and Culture leader with a strong focus on coaching and empowering individuals and is passionate about facilitating positive influence on company culture through education.
She holds a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Hotel Management from Griffith University.
Deanna joined Vitura in February 2022 as People and Culture Manager, bringing over 15 years’ business experience across a diverse portfolio of industries including hospitality, transport, retail and allied health. Dee is a highly energetic People and Culture leader with a strong focus on coaching and empowering individuals and is passionate about facilitating positive influence on company culture through education.
She holds a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Hotel Management from Griffith University.
David Crowhurst
Product Manager
David joined Vitura in August 2022 as CanView Product Manager. He has over 10 years’ experience in digital product development and has a background in financial services, transport & logistics and consultancy. He and his team are responsible for the continuous improvement of our CanView platform, finding ways to help better solve customer pain points and implementing features that drive business growth. David has a passion for creating great user experiences and simplifying complex business problems and processes.
David holds a Bachelor of Business from Queensland University of Technology and is a Certified Scrum Product Owner
David joined Vitura in August 2022 as CanView Product Manager. He has over 10 years’ experience in digital product development and has a background in financial services, transport & logistics and consultancy. He and his team are responsible for the continuous improvement of our CanView platform, finding ways to help better solve customer pain points and implementing features that drive business growth. David has a passion for creating great user experiences and simplifying complex business problems and processes.
David holds a Bachelor of Business from Queensland University of Technology and is a Certified Scrum Product Owner
Erin Leckie
Interim Head of Marketing
Erin has been with Vitura since June 2021 as Marketing Manager. She was previously Communications Manager at national franchise network, Australian Skin Clinics, where she managed campaigns, local area marketing and the promotion of brands for Schedule 4 medi-aesthetic treatments. Erin also has experience working in media publishing, bringing a well-rounded skillset to the Vitura team. She is passionate about the “why” behind marketing and aligning the brand voice and visuals to communicate this effectively, internally and externally.
She holds a Bachelor of Journalism Majoring in Public Relations/Image Management from Griffith University, and is a Certified Digital Marketing Specialist via the Digital Marketing Institute.
Erin has been with Vitura since June 2021 as Marketing Manager. She was previously Communications Manager at national franchise network, Australian Skin Clinics, where she managed campaigns, local area marketing and the promotion of brands for Schedule 4 medi-aesthetic treatments. Erin also has experience working in media publishing, bringing a well-rounded skillset to the Vitura team. She is passionate about the “why” behind marketing and aligning the brand voice and visuals to communicate this effectively, internally and externally.
She holds a Bachelor of Journalism Majoring in Public Relations/Image Management from Griffith University, and is a Certified Digital Marketing Specialist via the Digital Marketing Institute.
Jeffrey Lerner
Head of Technology
Jeffrey Joined Vitura in June 2023 as Head of Technology. With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Jeff has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. Prior to joining Vitura, he held several prominent positions, including IT&T Project Manager at NSW Health, Director of Technology at CBM. He was also a board member of Dynamic Development, a game designer for Funcom, and held multiple positions across Apple Inc. in Palo Alto, California.
Jeff holds degrees from Whittier College in Fine Arts and Computer Science, BFA the University of Southern California, and an MFA from Art Centre.
Jeffrey Joined Vitura in June 2023 as Head of Technology. With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Jeff has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. Prior to joining Vitura, he held several prominent positions, including IT&T Project Manager at NSW Health, Director of Technology at CBM. He was also a board member of Dynamic Development, a game designer for Funcom, and held multiple positions across Apple Inc. in Palo Alto, California.
Jeff holds degrees from Whittier College in Fine Arts and Computer Science, BFA the University of Southern California, and an MFA from Art Centre.
Roy Gustini
Commercial Growth Manager
Roy Gustini is a seasoned commercial growth specialist with a proven track record of driving revenue and growth for leading companies in various biotech and non-medical industries. With over 20 years of experience in leading, developing and executing successful strategies, Roy has a deep understanding of the commercial landscape and a strong ability to identify and seize new business opportunities. In his most recent role as a Professional Business Consultant focused on Commercial Optimisation, Roy was responsible for developing and executing multiple companies' operational and growth strategy in complex environments. He led and worked closely with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to drive new business development, mitigate risk and advance revenue, growth and sustainability.
Roy holds a bachelor's degree in science majoring in pharmacology from the University of Melbourne, has completed several executive education programs and continues his studies in digital communication.
Roy Gustini is a seasoned commercial growth specialist with a proven track record of driving revenue and growth for leading companies in various biotech and non-medical industries. With over 20 years of experience in leading, developing and executing successful strategies, Roy has a deep understanding of the commercial landscape and a strong ability to identify and seize new business opportunities. In his most recent role as a Professional Business Consultant focused on Commercial Optimisation, Roy was responsible for developing and executing multiple companies' operational and growth strategy in complex environments. He led and worked closely with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to drive new business development, mitigate risk and advance revenue, growth and sustainability.
Roy holds a bachelor's degree in science majoring in pharmacology from the University of Melbourne, has completed several executive education programs and continues his studies in digital communication.