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David Lock has built one of Western Australia's most varied business careers from Coopers & Lybrand accountant to CEO of Craig Mostyn Group, MD & CEO of Mareterram Ltd, board roles at CBH and Harvest Road, and now Chancellor of Curtin University.
In this episode of The Company We Keep, David joins host John Gardner as he unpacks the surprise phone call that led to the chancellorship, what 20+ years in agribusiness has taught him about family businesses and genuine leadership, and why Western Australia's grain industry is at a critical infrastructure crossroads after the live sheep export ban permanently reshaped the state's farming landscape.
He also makes a compelling case for Australia's missed sustainable aviation fuel opportunity, offers a frank warning about the pitfalls of small, listed companies, and shares his three-ball theory for getting work-life balance right. Plus, the story of getting arrested in Panama while cycling through South America with a machete.
David Lock: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlock1/
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Key Takeaways:
20+ years in agribusiness comes down to one thing - the people.
Work-life balance is three balls: self, family, and work. Don't drop any of them but know which one needs your focus right now.
Grab opportunities even when they don't look like career moves. International experience doesn’t always advance the resume, but the personal growth is enormous.
Small, listed companies are often driven by the market, not your values. Private structures give you far more freedom.
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Follow the Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oQlEYFk3Gud0HgPRaxgdM?si=176ef52b5a0f4972
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-company-we-keep/id1895814064
Website: https://vectoradvisors.au/
Connect with John Gardner:
John Gardner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gardner-maicd-8ab3a519/
Vector Advisors: https://au.linkedin.com/company/vector-advisorsau
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Chapters:
(0:00) Intro & preview
(0:44) Introducing David Lock, new Chancellor of Curtin University
(1:28) A holiday phone call & the unexpected condition: become chancellor
(3:20) First official duties - graduation ceremony in Malaysia
(4:56) Early career: Coopers & Lybrand, Westpac's bad bank & moving to Perth
(9:32) 20+ years in agribusiness & why the people keep him coming back
(10:44) Craig Mostyn to Mareterram: a public listing that didn't go to plan
(13:48) Australia's agribusiness outlook: grain growth, the sheep exit & infrastructure gaps
(16:54) The canola-to-jet-fuel opportunity Australia is missing
(19:18) Core values: building things, integrity and being nice to people
(21:02) Caution: why small, listed companies drive you by the market, not your values
(22:28) Cycling in South America, a machete arrest in Panama & the three-ball theory of work-life balance
Produced by Podwave Studios: https://www.podwavestudios.au
The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
