Leadership Team

At Planit, we pride ourselves on the quality of our people. And quality starts with leadership. Our senior testing team are active members of the testing community, having founding and leading roles in key industry associations such as the ISTQB, ANZTB, UKITB, ASTQB, TMMi Foundation and many more.

Meet the team ↓

Leadership Team

Meet the team ↓

Leadership Team

Meet the team ↓

Hiroyuki Kawanami<br>NRI Country Manager

	Hiroyuki Kawanami NRI Country Manager President of NRI Australia since 2019, and concurrently Deputy Head of NRI global headquarters in Tokyo and Board Member of NRI Australia group companies. He commenced his career as a Systems Engineer in 1992 and worked as a consultant for the next ten years before joining NRI in 2003.
	Mike Weale Chief Executive Officer With senior management experience in the IT industry, such as Managing Director of Sapphire Technologies, Mike joined Planit as Chief Operating Officer in 2004. Mike is now responsible for ensuring our clients receive the best-in-class services, solutions, and training every time.
	Simon Peach Chief Financial Officer With over 35 years managing finance departments, Simon has developed extensive experience across a broad range of industries and sizes of companies. Simon joined Planit in 2018 to drive change and focus through providing structured quality information which is easily accessible and relevant to business needs.
	Alex Edwards Chief Operating Officer As an executive in Planit’s business, Alex’s focus is on the implementation of the company’s vision and strategy, focusing on quality of delivery and exceptional CX and QX. He has over two decades of testing experience. Since joining Planit in 2008, he built the company’s technical testing division and held key roles of Technical Test Director, CTO, CTIO, and now COO.
	Emma Pilcher Chief People & Culture Officer With over 10 years of experience in HR, Emma is responsible for the successful implementation and day to day strategy of Planit's P&C department. Her core focus is successful talent acquisition strategies that enable continued growth across all our regions, along with cultivating a dynamic and attractive culture.
	Dan Minkin Executive General Manager, New Zealand Dan joined Planit from the United Kingdom in 2012, bringing his extensive testing experience to the Planit team in New Zealand. He has built a successful career over 17 years working with some of the biggest insurance companies in the UK and New Zealand.
	Andrew White Executive General Manager, Client Acquisition As the founding State Manager WA for Sapphire, then State Manager for Randstad’s IT division, Andrew has over 15 years’ experience in client delivery in IT. He joined Planit in 2010 and went on to lead our WA and SA teams, and is now focused on the company’s strategy for new business.
	Andrew Simister Executive General Manager, Solutions & Services Andrew joined Planit in 2008 and was responsible for establishing the company’s scalable, on-demand, outsourced quality assurance solution, which become the Digital QA centre and labs in Australia and India. He is responsible for using Planit’s global expertise and experience to provide right-fit, sustainable solutions.
	Joel Deutscher Executive General Manager, Technology & Innovation Joel is an experienced test professional with a solid background in software test strategy and analysis. In his two decades of testing, he has been involved in all levels of testing, spanning management, reporting, execution, and training.
	Blake Young Marketing Director As global head of marketing, Blake drives Planit's corporate and employer brands across new and existing markets. He brings 20 years of experience in the marketing field, including almost a decade with Planit. Supported by a skilled team of marketers, Blake has helped Planit achieve strong continuous growth by propelling the organisation's thought leadership and effectively articulating the value of its products.
	Brett Fenton Executive General Manager, Australia Brett began his career as a research scientist (Chemistry) before moving into technology and spending 15 years in a start-up. He then held executive roles in an ASX-listed technology company and more recently a start-up working on an AI for NASA’s long-range manned space flight programme.
	Graham Davis General Manager, New South Wales Graham has been instrumental in the growth of Planit’s Testing Services and Training divisions over the past two decades and takes an active role in providing leadership across the business. He is involved in business and strategic development, client management, recruitment, and staff management.
	Darren Dalla Riva General Manager, Victoria With over 15 years Test Management experience at some of Australia’s largest companies, Darren has played key roles in the delivery of business-critical projects and development of organisational testing competencies. His experience includes National Test Management, Project Management, Program Test Management, and more.
	Colin Nicholls General Manager, Queensland Colin joined Planit in 2002 and was responsible for the delivery of a number major programs of work for some of the most recognisable Australian and international companies. This led him to the leadership position of the new Brisbane office in 2015, where he continues to oversee the successful growth of the entire Queensland region.
	Jason Stannage General Manager, Western and South Australia Jason joined Planit from Scotland in 2014, bringing almost two decades of testing experience to the Planit team in Perth. He went on to be the local Operations Manager before taking over responsibility for business growth and all operational aspects of the Western and South Australia divisions.
	Ryohei Sakamoto General Manager - Corporate Planning Ryohei started his career in 2008 as a management consultant at NRI in Tokyo and spent three years in Gurgaon, India. Prior to joining Planit, he led M&A transactions and PMI activities in Australia. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from the London Business School.
	James Pennefather Director of Training James utilises his strong sales and people skills to effectively run Planit’s training division. Additionally, James holds a Masters in Marketing and works at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) as an assistant lecturer, teaching students business planning and strategy.
	Eric Holmstrom Group IT Manager Since joining Planit in 2008, Eric has been instrumental in supporting the rapid growth of the organisation from an IT infrastructure and support perspective. With a workforce that is largely based off-site or mobile, operating in the dynamic IT sector, this means Eric has significant and constantly changing demands for which to cater.

Leadership Team

Leadership Team

Leadership Team

Hiroyuki KawanamiNRI Country Manager

Hiroyuki KawanamiNRI Country Manager

Mike WealeChief Executive Officer

Mike WealeChief Executive Officer

Simon PeachChief Financial Officer

Simon PeachChief Financial Officer

Alex EdwardsChief Operating Officer

Alex EdwardsChief Operating Officer

Emma PilcherChief People & Culture Officer

Emma PilcherChief People & Culture Officer

Dan MinkinExecutive General Manager, New Zealand

Dan MinkinExecutive General Manager, New Zealand

Andrew WhiteExecutive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew WhiteExecutive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew SimisterExecutive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Andrew SimisterExecutive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Joel DeutscherExecutive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Joel DeutscherExecutive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Blake YoungMarketing Director

Blake YoungMarketing Director

Brett FentonExecutive General Manager, Australia

Brett FentonExecutive General Manager, Australia

Graham DavisGeneral Manager, New South Wales

Graham DavisGeneral Manager, New South Wales

Darren Dalla RivaGeneral Manager, Victoria

Darren Dalla RivaGeneral Manager, Victoria

Colin NichollsGeneral Manager, Queensland

Colin NichollsGeneral Manager, Queensland

Jason StannageGeneral Manager, Western and South Australia

Jason StannageGeneral Manager, Western and South Australia

Ryohei SakamotoGeneral Manager - Corporate Planning

Ryohei SakamotoGeneral Manager - Corporate Planning

James PennefatherDirector of Training

James PennefatherDirector of Training

Eric HolmstromGroup IT Manager

Eric HolmstromGroup IT Manager

Hiroyuki KawanamiNRI Country Manager

Mike WealeChief Executive Officer

Simon PeachChief Financial Officer

Alex EdwardsChief Operating Officer

Emma PilcherChief People & Culture Officer

Dan MinkinExecutive General Manager, New Zealand

Andrew WhiteExecutive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew SimisterExecutive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Joel DeutscherExecutive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Blake YoungMarketing Director

Brett FentonExecutive General Manager, Australia

Graham DavisGeneral Manager, New South Wales

Darren Dalla RivaGeneral Manager, Victoria

Colin NichollsGeneral Manager, Queensland

Jason StannageGeneral Manager, Western and South Australia

Ryohei SakamotoGeneral Manager - Corporate Planning

James PennefatherDirector of Training

Eric HolmstromGroup IT Manager

Hiroyuki KawanamiNRI Country Manager

Mike WealeChief Executive Officer

Simon PeachChief Financial Officer

Alex EdwardsChief Operating Officer

Emma PilcherChief People & Culture Officer

Dan MinkinExecutive General Manager, New Zealand

Andrew WhiteExecutive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew SimisterExecutive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Joel DeutscherExecutive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Blake YoungMarketing Director

Brett FentonExecutive General Manager, Australia

Graham DavisGeneral Manager, New South Wales

Darren Dalla RivaGeneral Manager, Victoria

Colin NichollsGeneral Manager, Queensland

Jason StannageGeneral Manager, Western and South Australia

Ryohei SakamotoGeneral Manager - Corporate Planning

James PennefatherDirector of Training

Eric HolmstromGroup IT Manager

Hiroyuki Kawanami
NRI Country Manager

Hiroyuki Kawanami
NRI Country Manager

Mike Weale
Chief Executive Officer

Mike Weale
Chief Executive Officer

Simon Peach
Chief Financial Officer

Simon Peach
Chief Financial Officer

Alex Edwards
Chief Operating Officer

Alex Edwards
Chief Operating Officer

Emma Pilcher
Chief People & Culture Officer

Emma Pilcher
Chief People & Culture Officer

Dan Minkin
Executive General Manager, New Zealand

Dan Minkin
Executive General Manager, New Zealand

Andrew White
Executive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew White
Executive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew Simister
Executive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Andrew Simister
Executive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Joel Deutscher
Executive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Joel Deutscher
Executive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Blake Young
Marketing Director

Blake Young
Marketing Director

Brett Fenton
Executive General Manager, Australia

Brett Fenton
Executive General Manager, Australia

Graham Davis
General Manager, New South Wales

Graham Davis
General Manager, New South Wales

Darren Dalla Riva
General Manager, Victoria

Darren Dalla Riva
General Manager, Victoria

Colin Nicholls
General Manager, Queensland

Colin Nicholls
General Manager, Queensland

Jason Stannage
General Manager, Western and South Australia

Jason Stannage
General Manager, Western and South Australia

Ryohei Sakamoto
General Manager - Corporate Planning

Ryohei Sakamoto
General Manager - Corporate Planning

James Pennefather
Director of Training

James Pennefather
Director of Training

Eric Holmstrom
Group IT Manager

Eric Holmstrom
Group IT Manager

Hiroyuki Kawanami
NRI Country Manager

Mike Weale
Chief Executive Officer

Simon Peach
Chief Financial Officer

Alex Edwards
Chief Operating Officer

Emma Pilcher
Chief People & Culture Officer

Dan Minkin
Executive General Manager, New Zealand

Andrew White
Executive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew Simister
Executive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Joel Deutscher
Executive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Blake Young
Marketing Director

Brett Fenton
Executive General Manager, Australia

Graham Davis
General Manager, New South Wales

Darren Dalla Riva
General Manager, Victoria

Colin Nicholls
General Manager, Queensland

Jason Stannage
General Manager, Western and South Australia

Ryohei Sakamoto
General Manager - Corporate Planning

James Pennefather
Director of Training

Eric Holmstrom
Group IT Manager

Hiroyuki Kawanami
NRI Country Manager

Mike Weale
Chief Executive Officer

Simon Peach
Chief Financial Officer

Alex Edwards
Chief Operating Officer

Emma Pilcher
Chief People & Culture Officer

Dan Minkin
Executive General Manager, New Zealand

Andrew White
Executive General Manager, Client Acquisition

Andrew Simister
Executive General Manager, Solutions & Services

Joel Deutscher
Executive General Manager, Technology & Innovation

Blake Young
Marketing Director

Brett Fenton
Executive General Manager, Australia

Graham Davis
General Manager, New South Wales

Darren Dalla Riva
General Manager, Victoria

Colin Nicholls
General Manager, Queensland

Jason Stannage
General Manager, Western and South Australia

Ryohei Sakamoto
General Manager - Corporate Planning

James Pennefather
Director of Training

Eric Holmstrom
Group IT Manager