Maintaining Talent in Tough Times

The Keynote Panel Discussion on, “Maintaining Talent in Tough Times,” was moderated by Adam Hall, Director – Talent & Reward, Towers Watson and featured panelists: Sandra Thomson, Human Resources Manager – Projects, Anglo American, Geoff Woodcroft, Vice President Human Resources, Peabody Energy, and Mathew Gordon, Training & Competency Manager, Origin Energy. During this session, the panellist’s provided their personal insights and experience to explore how companies can most effectively manage their talent in economically difficult times, including their talent management, engagement and reward programs.

Panelists, left to right: Sandra Thomson, Human Resources Manager – Projects, Anglo American, Geoff Woodcroft, Vice President Human Resources, Peabody Energy, and Mathew Gordon, Training & Competency Manager, Origin Energy.

Adam Hall, Director – Talent & Reward, Towers Watson discusses leadership strategy in an economically challenging climate.

Geoff Woodcroft, Vice President Human Resources, Peabody Energy Australia. Geoffrey Woodcroft is the Vice President – Human Resources with Peabody Energy Australia Pty Ltd, being appointed on 24 May 2010. Geoff has 30 years experience in the human resources field, commencing his career with Telstra, where he worked in a variety of human resources roles. Over the last 16 years. He has held several senior generalist human resources roles with a number of large organisations, which include, Coles Myer, Yellow Pages Australia, Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government. Prior to joining Peabody Energy, he was the Australian Human Resources Director for Boeing Defence Australia. Geoff has a Masters Degree in Leadership, a Bachelor of Business (distinction) with a double major in Human Resource Management and Marketing, a Diploma of Market Research and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Change.

Sandra Thomson has 17 years in Senior Management Positions including the last 8.5 years with Anglo American working in Human Resources both domestically in Australia and internationally. Sandra holds a Bachelor of Science, and Diploma in Chemistry.

Mathew Gordon, Training & Competency Manager. Mathew Gordon has worked in the mining and oil/gas industries in a variety of operational roles including management, OHS and human resources with EZ Mining, Rio Tinto and AGL. After completing his MBA (Management / Human Resources), Mathew moved to human resource management roles with Bradken Resources and Australia Post. Mathew joined Origin Energy as the Operations and Maintenance Capability Delivery Lead and was responsible for the development of the capability strategy for the LNG project in the Surat Basin QLD. In Mathew’s current role as the Training and Competency Manager he is responsible for the execution of the training and competency development and delivery for the workforce.