The role of the Newcastle Grammar School Board is to set the strategic direction for NGS and to guide and oversee our performance. Our dedicated Directors work tirelessly to deliver support to our staff and community in our mission of delivering an outstanding holistic education that prepares students to live lives of purpose and success.
Ms Catherine Wilkinson
Chair of the Board
Ms Wilkinson commenced as Chair of the Board in 2020 and has been a member of the Board since 2012. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and is a Graduate of the AICD.
Ms Wilkinson is a Senior Partner at a Newcastle Law Firm. She is part of the executive management of the Firm and the national manager of the Workplace team. She oversees the work of that speciality practice, which provides advice to corporate and government clients on a range of work health and safety and employment related matters. She has on ongoing focus on the advancement of women in the legal profession and is involved in the Firm’s programme which provides support to women at the Firm and within the Firm’s client communities through mentoring, leadership, education and knowledge sharing. She was a member of the Industrial Relations Society of NSW (Hunter Branch) for 18 years and served as Secretary and President of that Committee.
Ms Wilkinson is a member of the Corporate Governance Committee and a previous Chair of the Audit Finance and Risk Committee.
Ms Wilkinson’s daughter attended Newcastle Grammar School.
Ms Wilkinson is a Senior Partner at a Newcastle Law Firm. She is part of the executive management of the Firm and the national manager of the Workplace team. She oversees the work of that speciality practice, which provides advice to corporate and government clients on a range of work health and safety and employment related matters. She has on ongoing focus on the advancement of women in the legal profession and is involved in the Firm’s programme which provides support to women at the Firm and within the Firm’s client communities through mentoring, leadership, education and knowledge sharing. She was a member of the Industrial Relations Society of NSW (Hunter Branch) for 18 years and served as Secretary and President of that Committee.
Ms Wilkinson is a member of the Corporate Governance Committee and a previous Chair of the Audit Finance and Risk Committee.
Ms Wilkinson’s daughter attended Newcastle Grammar School.
Ms Chris Giles
Member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the Equity Scholarship Committee
Ms Giles joined the Newcastle Grammar School Board in 2018 and holds a Master of Organisational Leadership and Bachelor of Arts/Social Work.
Ms Giles has over 25 years’ experience in leadership, innovation and business development, having held strategy and executive roles at local, regional and national levels in diverse sectors, including primary health and the not-for-profit sector of aged and community care. Ms Giles brings her expertise and skills in workforce design, strategic planning, quality, risk management and corporate governance. As a Consultant, Ms Giles supports organisations nationally to understand and meet their legislative and regulatory requirements, manage the rapid changes in the human service sector, and embed robust clinical governance frameworks to drive clinical safety, quality and continuous improvement in the delivery of clinical care, to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals.
Ms Giles has five children who all attended Newcastle Grammar School and now also has grandchildren attending.
Ms Giles has over 25 years’ experience in leadership, innovation and business development, having held strategy and executive roles at local, regional and national levels in diverse sectors, including primary health and the not-for-profit sector of aged and community care. Ms Giles brings her expertise and skills in workforce design, strategic planning, quality, risk management and corporate governance. As a Consultant, Ms Giles supports organisations nationally to understand and meet their legislative and regulatory requirements, manage the rapid changes in the human service sector, and embed robust clinical governance frameworks to drive clinical safety, quality and continuous improvement in the delivery of clinical care, to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals.
Ms Giles has five children who all attended Newcastle Grammar School and now also has grandchildren attending.
Mr John Candy
Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and a member of the Equity Scholarship Committee
Mr Candy joined the Newcastle Grammar School Board in August 2019 and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Newcastle, is a Chartered Accountant and is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mr Candy has extensive experience as a Chief Financial Officer managing the finance function, procurement, facilities and technology. John has expertise in managing budgets, strategic planning, infrastructure and asset management, fundraising, risk management and corporate governance.
Mr Candy currently has a child attending Newcastle Grammar School.
Mr Candy has extensive experience as a Chief Financial Officer managing the finance function, procurement, facilities and technology. John has expertise in managing budgets, strategic planning, infrastructure and asset management, fundraising, risk management and corporate governance.
Mr Candy currently has a child attending Newcastle Grammar School.
Professor Mark Flynn
Member of the Property and Development Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee
Professor Flynn joined the Newcastle Grammar School Board in 2019. He holds a PhD in Medicine and was awarded an MBA jointly by Ramon Lull University (Spain) and Georgetown University (USA).
Professor Flynn has over 20 years’ experience in Executive and Non-Executive positions locally, nationally, and internationally. He currently guides the strategy and leadership of several innovative medical device companies such as Sound Scouts HQ Pty where he is Chief Audiology Officer (CAO). He has significant experience and leadership in education, health and medicine, innovation and commercialisation. He has led organisations and teams locally in Australia, China, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden and Latin America. He has held executive leadership positions in both the University (e.g. University of Newcastle, University of Gothenburg) and Industry sectors (e.g. Cochlear Ltd, Wise Neuro Srl, Demant A/S Group). He is a strong advocate of startups and medical innovation.
Professor Flynn has one child currently attending Newcastle Grammar School, and one who graduated in 2023.
Professor Flynn has over 20 years’ experience in Executive and Non-Executive positions locally, nationally, and internationally. He currently guides the strategy and leadership of several innovative medical device companies such as Sound Scouts HQ Pty where he is Chief Audiology Officer (CAO). He has significant experience and leadership in education, health and medicine, innovation and commercialisation. He has led organisations and teams locally in Australia, China, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden and Latin America. He has held executive leadership positions in both the University (e.g. University of Newcastle, University of Gothenburg) and Industry sectors (e.g. Cochlear Ltd, Wise Neuro Srl, Demant A/S Group). He is a strong advocate of startups and medical innovation.
Professor Flynn has one child currently attending Newcastle Grammar School, and one who graduated in 2023.
Ms Jennifer Hayes
Chair of the Property and Development Committee and a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
Ms Hayes joined the Newcastle Grammar School Board in 2021. Ms Hayes is a Certified Practicing Accountant, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy and Master of Business.
Ms Hayes has over 20 years’ experience in Executive and Non-executive positions; locally, nationally and internationally, in a diverse range of sectors including fast moving consumer goods, utilities, primary health and tertiary education. She brings extensive skills and experience in financial leadership, economics, strategic planning, corporate governance, audit and risk management.
Ms Hayes has two children attending Newcastle Grammar School.
Ms Hayes has over 20 years’ experience in Executive and Non-executive positions; locally, nationally and internationally, in a diverse range of sectors including fast moving consumer goods, utilities, primary health and tertiary education. She brings extensive skills and experience in financial leadership, economics, strategic planning, corporate governance, audit and risk management.
Ms Hayes has two children attending Newcastle Grammar School.
Mr Robert Madden
Member of the Property and Development Committee of the School
Mr Madden joined the Newcastle Grammar School Board in April 2021. He holds qualifications in Construction Management from University of Newcastle, is a Chartered Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor and possesses over 10 years’ experience working in Australia, UK and Europe predominantly in the Education, Arts and Culture, Heritage and Hospitality Sectors. Mr Madden is also a Director of Madden & Associates Pty Ltd.
His expertise includes strategic planning, infrastructure and asset management and risk management.
His expertise includes strategic planning, infrastructure and asset management and risk management.
Mrs Michelle White
Member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee
Mrs White joined the Board in 2023. She is an experienced lawyer admitted to practice in the UK and NSW, holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law from University of Newcastle, a Certificate in Corporate Governance from INSEAD and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mrs White has over 20 years’ expertise driving legal, strategic, commercial, risk management and corporate governance objectives. She has extensive professional experience as a global lawyer, spanning multiple industries across several areas (including M&A, real estate, projects, construction, regulatory, crisis management) with niche expertise in ESG (Environment and Social Governance), human rights and sustainability. She is an Executive with General Electric Corporation and has a multifaceted global role working closely with Boards and all levels of business, as well as regulators, and external stakeholders. Prior to joining GE, Michelle was a lawyer with Ashurst London. She lived and worked in Europe, USA and Asia before returning to Newcastle.
Mrs White has three children who attend Newcastle Grammar School.
Mrs White has over 20 years’ expertise driving legal, strategic, commercial, risk management and corporate governance objectives. She has extensive professional experience as a global lawyer, spanning multiple industries across several areas (including M&A, real estate, projects, construction, regulatory, crisis management) with niche expertise in ESG (Environment and Social Governance), human rights and sustainability. She is an Executive with General Electric Corporation and has a multifaceted global role working closely with Boards and all levels of business, as well as regulators, and external stakeholders. Prior to joining GE, Michelle was a lawyer with Ashurst London. She lived and worked in Europe, USA and Asia before returning to Newcastle.
Mrs White has three children who attend Newcastle Grammar School.
Mr Luke Bortoli
Board Member
Mr Bortoli joined the Newcastle Grammar School Board in May 2026. Mr Bortoli holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Sydney and has lectured in finance at the University of Sydney Business School.
Mr Bortoli is also an experienced corporate executive with a career spanning 20 years primarily in the technology sector. His previous roles include executive positions at some of Australia’s leading technology companies including Aristocrat Leisure Limited, Afterpay Limited, Altium Limited and Chainlink. Prior to his corporate career, Mr Bortoli was an investment banker with UBS specialising in M&A and capital raising.
Mr Bortoli currently has a child attending Newcastle Grammar School.
Mr Bortoli is also an experienced corporate executive with a career spanning 20 years primarily in the technology sector. His previous roles include executive positions at some of Australia’s leading technology companies including Aristocrat Leisure Limited, Afterpay Limited, Altium Limited and Chainlink. Prior to his corporate career, Mr Bortoli was an investment banker with UBS specialising in M&A and capital raising.
Mr Bortoli currently has a child attending Newcastle Grammar School.
Ms Naomi Cunningham
Board Member
Ms Cunningham joined the Newcastle Grammar School Board in May 2026. She holds a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of International Studies from the University of Technology Sydney, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment.
Ms Cunningham is a senior executive in the Australian funds management industry having recently been appointed as Executive General Manager, Fidante, which is part of Challenger Limited, where she is responsible for leading the strategy and growth of Fidante’s global multi-investment management platform, spanning equities, fixed income and alternative strategies. She has extensive experience in the wealth management industry across strategy, product development, distribution and transformation. Ms Cunningham has held a range of senior leadership roles within Challenger, most recently as the Director to Transformation where she was responsible for overseeing major technology transformation programs within the business across client and investment operating platforms. Prior to joining Challenger, Naomi held roles at BT Financial Group in client service and product management.
Ms Cunningham currently has two children attending Newcastle Grammar School.
Ms Cunningham is a senior executive in the Australian funds management industry having recently been appointed as Executive General Manager, Fidante, which is part of Challenger Limited, where she is responsible for leading the strategy and growth of Fidante’s global multi-investment management platform, spanning equities, fixed income and alternative strategies. She has extensive experience in the wealth management industry across strategy, product development, distribution and transformation. Ms Cunningham has held a range of senior leadership roles within Challenger, most recently as the Director to Transformation where she was responsible for overseeing major technology transformation programs within the business across client and investment operating platforms. Prior to joining Challenger, Naomi held roles at BT Financial Group in client service and product management.
Ms Cunningham currently has two children attending Newcastle Grammar School.