Company Management
In parallel with our growth strategy, the executive management team continues to drive our transition to a market-focused company whilst retaining our strong engineering and manufacturing base. Each member of the team brings a particular strength and focus that together, create a unique opportunity for success moving forward.
Tom Spurling
CEO
Tom Spurling was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer in March 2011. Mr. Spurling has over two decades’ experience in international business development, centered in the defense and mining sectors. He previously served as Managing Director and General Manager of Tenix LADS Corporation, technology originally licensed by Tenix from the Australian Department of Defence.
Mr. Spurling has extensive experience in new business development across the defense and commercial markets both in Australia and internationally. He holds a Degree in Economics and is a chartered accountant
Lisa Farquhar
General Manager, Ellex Australia
Lisa Farquhar joined Ellex in May 2011 as General Manager, Ellex Australia. Responsible for Ellex's direct sales force in Australia, Lisa manages the sale and distribution of Ellex-branded and third-party products in Australia and New Zealand.
With more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the medical industry, Lisa brings a wealth of expertise in the sales management of consumable items and high-end medical capital equipment for both the private and public sectors. Prior to Ellex, Lisa was the Regional Sales Manager at Alcon Laboratories, the Australian subsidiary of the US-listed Alcon Surgical, a pharmaceutical and medical company with annual revenues exceeding US$2 billion.
Morag Greenwood
VP Human Resources
Morag Greenwood was appointed Vice President of Human Resources in February 2006. Tertiary-qualified in Business and Human Resources, she has worked as a senior Human Resources practitioner for over 15 years. Her extensive corporate experience includes both human resources and operational roles for medium and large public companies.
Throughout her career, Ms. Greenwood has specialized providing human resource leadership in changing environments, with particular focus on leadership development and workforce capability. Prior to joining Ellex, she held positions with News Limited, Ansett Australia and James Hardie Industries.
Yukitaka Isoda
President Global Operations
Yukitaka Isoda joined Ellex in September 2003 as President of then-distributor Amphi Medical Co., Ltd (now Ellex Japan). In March 2011 Mr. Isoda was appointed to the newly created position of President Global Operations.
Mr. Isoda has over 15 years of senior management experience in importing, operations, marketing and sales in the Japanese medical equipment distribution market. In 1995, he joined Coherent Japan, Inc. as Operations Director, and was appointed President in 1997. When Coherent merged with Lumenis in 2001, he became President of the Ophthalmic Division of Lumenis Japan, Inc. Mr. Isoda received his Bachelor of Arts in commerce at Kansai University in Osaka.
Philippe Maury
VP Sales and Distribution – Europe, Middle East and Africa
General Manager, Ellex France
Philippe Maury joined Ellex as VP Sales and Distribution, responsible for sales and distribution management throughout Greater Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing on his extensive experience in the ophthalmic industry, Philippe has grown the Ellex business in Greater Europe, establishing a strong brand presence in all key markets. More recently he assumed the role of General Manager, Ellex France, to manage Ellex's direct sales and service operation in France.
Malcolm Plunkett
VP Advanced Research
Malcolm Plunkett has spent nearly four decades involved in the design and manufacture of industrial and scientific electronic devices for medical industries. Appointed Vice President of Advanced Research in late June 2005, Mr. Plunkett plays a significant role in directing the company’s growth into new markets.
During his 14 years at Ellex, Mr. Plunkett’s accomplishments include directing the development of the selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) technology platform, which has helped Ellex assume a leading position in the glaucoma market. More recently, Mr. Plunkett has led the Ellex 2RT™ (Retina Regeneration Therapy) program, directing clinical trials and ongoing laboratory experimentation.
Richard Stone
VP Business Development
Richard Stone joined Ellex in October 2007 as Vice President Operations. Prior to Ellex, Mr. Stone held a variety of roles with Carl Zeiss Vision (formerly Sola International), including R&D, manufacturing and quality, with significant experience in production and manufacturing management.
Having worked throughout the Asia Pacific region, Mr. Stone brings a wealth of knowledge in operations management, quality systems, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies with a focus on best practice implementation and strategic planning. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and a Master of Business and Technology.
Bill Swaim
VP Sales Americas (President Ellex USA)
Bill Swaim joined Ellex in April 1995 as Vice President of Sales, US, and in 2001 was appointed President of Ellex USA Inc. Responsible for sales, distribution and service in the Americas, Mr. Swaim manages our highly successful direct sales force in the United States.
Mr. Swaim has over 25 years of sales, marketing and sales management experience in private and public companies. He was formerly the National Laser Specialist for Alcon Surgical, a US-listed ophthalmic company with annual revenues exceeding US$4 billion. Prior to that, he was a regional sales manager for Biophysic Medical, a French ophthalmic laser and ultrasound company based in the United States.
Christine Warren
VP Global Marketing
Christine Warren joined Ellex in June 2004 as Market Development Manager based in Europe, before being appointed Vice President of Greater Europe in 2005. In 2008 Ms. Warren assumed the role of VP of International Distribution, responsible for sales and distribution management throughout Greater Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. In 2011, Ms Warren became VP Global Marketing. Since joining Ellex, Ms. Warren has drawn on her extensive experience in the ophthalmic industry to substantially grow the Ellex business in Greater Europe.
Prior to joining Ellex, she held positions as Director of International Sales and Marketing with companies such as Biophysic Medical, Biovision and Quantel Medical.
Don Watton
VP Global Operations
Don Watton was appointed the Vice President of Quality in August 2008. An Ellex employee for five years, Mr. Watton held a number of positions in the company’s early years, including Production and Engineering Manager, and was instrumental in the establishment of many company processes. He left Ellex in 2000 to work in quality and regulatory management, and returned to the company in a business development capacity in 2003.
Mr. Watton has more than a quarter century of experience in the medical equipment industry, including nine years in Biomedical Engineering at Flinders Medical Centre, one of South Australia's largest teaching hospitals.