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A graduate in both Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science from Sydney University, John's early career was as a process engineer in consumer goods manufacturing.   John also completed an MBA at University of NSW. This led him into strategic marketing consulting with clients such as Westpac Bank and Lumley Insurance.

In 1984 John founded one of Australia's first venture capital companies, Austech Ventures Limited, which he ran for 6 years until the company was acquired. Investments by Austech in new technology-based companies included Cochlear Pty Ltd, Metalaser Technologies Ltd. And Pacific Semiconductor Pty Ltd.  VentureCorp was formed at the same time to manage the investment activity of Austech Ventures Limited. John is also a licensed investment advisor.

For several years, John was a director of the NSW Enterprise Workshop, and is a frequent mentor of a participating team. He is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Member of the Institution of Engineers, and a Governor of the Science Foundation for Physics at the University of Sydney.