CEO Profile

SEAN WILSON

CEO | Managing Director

Organisational Transformation | Growth Strategy | P&L Leadership

Sydney NSW • 0448 827 718 • sean@seanwilson.com.au 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/seanadrianwilson • www.seanwilson.com.au

EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT

• Board-appointed CEO with 10+ years leading organisations (BetterHR, Zonda, Kolling Foundation)

• Full P&L ownership up to $85m portfolios

• Led large cross-functional teams of more than 300 in up to 10-figure enterprises

• Repeated loss-to-profit turnarounds and exit preparation/execution

• Repeatedly delivering of strategic and operational targets within time and budget

• Proven ARR growth, SaaS scale and capital discipline

• Trusted by boards to resolve governance, compliance and operational risk

• Global outlook from extensive travel and international client work

PROVEN CEO IMPACT

BetterHR – CEO & Managing Director (2017–2024)

Appointed by the Board to lead a multi-million-dollar HR SaaS/employment law business.

• Held full P&L, capital allocation, product and people accountability

• Doubled revenue and gross profit; increased enterprise value 250%+, funded entirely through internal cashflow

• Rebuilt SaaS platform end-to-end, materially improving retention, ACV and scalability

• Scaled to 60,000+ users and a 300+ partner ecosystem

• Secured strategic alliances with Telstra, Telstra Health and ADP, embedding defensible distribution

• Made decisive senior leadership changes to support scale and governance maturity

• Navigated extreme economic uncertainty during COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining financial stability through strategic cost-cutting, increased liquidity, and, by pivoting business models

• Won national and international awards for leadership, and HR (Best HR & Employment Law CEO – Australia, Top 50 Small Business Leaders, 30 Best CEOs of the Year, etc).

• Progressed internally: COO & Deputy CEO (2013-2017: 4 years) → CEO & MD (Over 7 years)

• Earned significant equity ownership through value creation

• Led governance, reporting and buyer narrative for successful exit (2024)

• Served concurrently as CTO, HRD, Board Director, Company Secretary and Public Officer.

Zonda Group / Marine Seven – CEO (2024–2025)

Appointed by private equity investors to assume executive control of a $20m+ multi-entity portfolio across national healthcare staffing & recruitment, NDIS services and multi-site marine retail.

• Delivered 12-month strategic and operational targets in half the planned timeframe

• Converted operating losses into 34% gross profit

• Resolved material compliance, governance and operational risk in regulated environments

• Integrated five acquisitions across four states, lifting operational leverage and margin

• Rebuilt shared services model to stabilise performance (HR, IT, marketing, sales, etc) 

• Positioned portfolio assets for successful sale and executive transition

• Reported directly to PE board; accountable for investor reporting and value creation plan

• Served concurrently as Group COO for Venturely.

Kolling Foundation (Now North Foundation) – CEO & Managing Director (2008-2010)

Appointed by the Board to lead a multi-million-dollar medical research foundation at Royal North Shore Hospital. Founded by NSW Government, University of Sydney, Ramsay Health, etc.

• Delivered 12-month strategic and operational targets in half the planned timeframe

• Reset the operating models and stabilised operations

• Led governance, finance & compliance

• Resolved complex compliance issues (bank and payment controls, audit and legal risks, etc)

• Delivered 7 figure revenue growth

• Launched $100M Kolling Building

• Attracted high profile new partners

• Served concurrently as a Member of the Board of Directors, Company Secretary, Public Officer, Member of the Finance, Investment & Audit Committee, Member of the Andrew Olle Memorial Trust Committee, etc.

Sharing Minds (Asta Group) – Commercial Director (2025–Present)

Brought in to commercialise and scale a new legal technology division within a professional services group.

• Delivered 12-month strategic and operational targets in half the planned timeframe

• Built the business from zero to $1m+ revenue within six months, including 58% ARR

• Delivered profitability in year one through disciplined pricing, cost control and GTM design

• Designed national distribution, partner and pricing strategy

• Acquired 1,000+ licensed users in five months

EARLIER EXECUTIVE CAREER

• Image Training Systems - Acting CEO (2012-2013)

• Housing Industry Association - National General Manager Sales & Marketing (2006 – 2008)

• ColorTile - Director of Sales & Marketing (2011-2012)

• Sensis - National Sales Director (2001-2006)

BOARD & GOVERNANCE

• Board Director, Company Secretary & Public Officer (multiple entities)

• Deep experience reporting to boards and private equity investors

• Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) + CEO Institute, AHRI, ICDA

CEO VALUE CREATION PATTERN

• Stabilise → Restructure → Scale → Exit-Ready

• Risk resolution • Leadership reset • Capital discipline • Buyer-ready governance

Reputation

Known as a decisive, commercially minded CEO trusted to take control in complex, high-stakes environments and leave businesses materially stronger than found.

I am typically appointed by boards and investors when growth has stalled, risk has accumulated, or a business must be stabilised, professionalised and prepared for scale or exit. I bring an owner’s mindset, full P&L accountability, and a proven ability to convert complexity into enterprise value.