Kim Ellis ‘Innovation, conservation and change: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, 200 year birthday.’

Kim will discuss the changes that are occurring in The Royal Botanic Gardens precinct; the Harbourside, Mount Annan and Mount Tomah and discuss the pressures created by funding, demographic changes and community expectations. His presentation will include new facilities such as The Calyx @ Sydney and the celebration of the Gardens 200th Birthday.

Kim Ellis was appointed Executive Director of Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands in January 2014, when the Office of Environment and Heritage announced the operational integration of Centennial Parklands and Moore Park Trust and Royal Botanical Gardens & Domain Trust.

Kim has extensive experience in leading diverse, high profile public businesses through strategic reforms to deliver transformational change. After a 20 year career in the Australian Army in logistics leadership roles, including support of the Australian scientific research expedition in Antarctica, Kim held senior positions in publicly and privately-owned airports delivering major infrastructure projects.

Before taking up the role as CEO of BAC Airports Kim was Head of the Passenger Services Group at Sydney Airport, where he was responsible for all airlines related operational activities on Sydney Airport. Kim led the 120 strong Passenger Services Group team through the $600 million International Terminal upgrade, and the Sydney Olympic operations in 2000.

Kim retired from a 24-year career in the Australian Army in 1997, where he had worked in amphibious warfare support logistic roles in Australia, the United States and the Antarctic. He specialised in amphibious warfare operations in Sydney and Darwin, which culminated in command of the Army’s Amphibious Logistics Regiment.