Our people

Dr Martin Cole joined Wine Australia on 15 November 2021, having previously led the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine at The University of Adelaide.

He is internationally regarded for his work as a food scientist, with expertise in food safety, food trends and innovation, processing and nutrition, and the translation of science into community and commercial outcomes.

Dr Cole brings more than 25 years’ experience in research management across government, academia and industry – including the broader agricultural sector.

Described as an “influential, inspirational and visionary leader”, Dr Cole has held leadership positions with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO), overseas and in larger commercial companies.

His collaborative, multidisciplinary approach and extensive experience in stakeholder engagement will be of great benefit to the Australian grape and wine sector.

Bernadette Saberton is Wine Australia’s Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, Corporate Services. She has responsibility for all corporate service functions, including finance and risk, information technology and data governance.

Bernadette Saberton has 20 years’ accounting experience across the commercial sector, education and local government, and has over 10 years’ experience at Wine Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Fellow of CPA Australia.

Jay Jayeshwaran is an experienced leader in business development, strategy and investment, having worked across multiple sectors including agriculture, agtech, GIS, defence, renewable energy and financial services. Jay's career focus has seen him successfully scale businesses by building global collaborations, acquiring companies and technologies and raising capital.

As Head of Business Development & Strategic Investments at Wine Australia, Jay focuses on investment models for RD&A and marketing, co-designed with sector stakeholders and through multi-sector partnerships.

Jay has held executive positions in senior management teams and company boards. Prior to his role at Wine Australia, he was the Senior Business Development Manager – Agriculture, Food & Wine at the University of Adelaide.

Liz has responsibility for Wine Australia's strategy development and reporting, transformative operational projects and managing corporate engagement with our Board and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Liz was previously Wine Australia’s General Manager Research and Innovation, responsible for delivering research and innovation (R&I) programs, working in collaboration with diverse research providers to deliver short- and long-term value to the sector. Liz is internationally recognised as a leader in grape and wine research. Prior to leading Wine Australia’s R&I programs, Liz was Senior RD&E Program Manager at the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) – one of Wine Australia's two predecessor organisations – and held senior research positions at The Australian Wine Research Institute and the Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture. Liz has a PhD in Wine Science from the University of Adelaide and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As Wine Australia’s Head of People and Culture, Louise Mickan has responsibility for all aspects of people and culture, creating a diverse and inclusive environment where people have autonomy, mastery and purpose, while being supported and having fun.

Louise has a Master of Science in Human Resource Management, a Bachelor of Science in Biology with Psychology, and is a certified organisational coach. She has over 20 years’ global HR experience working in environmental consultancy, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, travel and life assurance. She is passionate about unlocking individual and organisational potential.

Ned Hewitson is General Counsel at Wine Australia and General Manager, Regulation. He is responsible for managing the regulatory and market access functions of the organisation, including export controls and domestic labelling regulation.

Ned has a deep and diverse grape and wine sector background, which includes undertaking vintages in the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale; working in various domestic and foreign sales, distribution, retail and hospitality roles; show judging; and teaching undergraduate students. Prior to commencing at Wine Australia, Ned Hewitson worked for several years as a grape and wine sector-focused corporate and commercial solicitor.

Ned holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours), a Bachelor of Commerce (CorpFin), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a WSET Diploma in Wines. He has participated as a delegate at meetings of the World Wine Trade Group and FIVS and is a member of the International Wine Law Association (Australasian Chapter).

As Wine Australia’s General Manager, Market Development, Paul has responsibility for Wine Australia's marketing activities domestically and internationally and for the strategic leadership of Wine Australia’s marketing team, working closely with the entire Australian grape and wine sector to drive market development, open new markets and increase the demand and premium paid for all Australian wine.

Paul brings over two decades of experience in the wine sector to his role with Wine Australia, having held senior leadership positions spanning general management, marketing and commercial functions. His knowledge has been gained from lengthy stints at Pernod Ricard (Orlando Wines), Peter Lehmann Wines and Casella Family Brands where he had significant exposure to both the Australian and key export markets.

Shirley is Wine Australia’s General Manager, Customer Engagement and is responsible for strategic leadership and management of all customer engagement, corporate affairs, Public Relations and communications.

Shirley has extensive experience from across the grape and wine sector through senior and leadership positions including with the Wine Industry Suppliers Association, Sorby Adams Wines, Constellation, Byrne Vineyards, Terraview AI and Wine Collaborators. Shirley has worked with producers and suppliers in viticulture agtech, oenology inputs, new product development, marketing consultancy, grant activation, wine region advocacy, wine shows, winegrowers brand development and channel management, domestic and international markets, trade/consumer events and communications. A graduate of Roseworthy and of the Future Leaders program, Shirley has also lent her considerable expertise on the Riverland Wine Management Committee and Wine Show and the Australian Women in Wine Board, and as a mentor to up-and-coming members of the sector.

Regional General Manager at Wine Australia for the UK and Europe since 2015, Laura previously spent 5 years heading up the wine development team at Tesco. She has also held significant roles at SPAR, HWCG and Sainsburys. Laura's specialities include UK bottling, all aspects of supermarket retailing and marketing.

Aaron Ridgway has worked in the wine sector for 15 years, in roles as varied as cellar door sales (Clonakilla), retail sales (Market Cellars, Camperdown Cellars), education and guided tours (Kamberra Winery) and, since 2010, in sales and distribution in the US.

Aaron co-founded the Fine Wine Agency in March 2010 before taking on a senior sales role at Langdon Shiverick Imports in 2011.

Prior to joining Wine Australia in July 2016, Aaron spent four and a half years with Negociants USA, first as a region manager based in New York, and then as National Sales Manager based in California.

In his role as Head of Market, the Americas, Aaron is focused on raising the awareness and appreciation of Australia’s finest wines and regions among the key wine trade and sommeliers.

Aaron graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Arts (Film, French) in 2007. He won the ANU film prize twice and received a scholarship to study abroad at Sciences-Po in Paris (2006–07) and he worked as a journalist at the Canberra Times from 2008–10.

Sarah is a highly experienced leader, with more than a decade of experience leading marketing initiatives across the Asia Pacific region. Raised in the Adelaide Hills, she began her career after graduating from the University of South Australia, gaining international experience in the UK before moving into wine and spirits marketing with Moët Hennessy and Diageo. Sarah has managed major regional partnerships and projects across Asia Pacific and brings a global perspective shaped by roles in Australia, the UK and Asia.