At The Fair Co., we love shining a light on the amazing people who make our work possible. Meet John, the driving force behind our Business Engagement Team.
So, what does John actually do? In short, he’s out there making things happen. About two-thirds of his time is spent finding new business – meeting people, attending events, networking, and opening doors for The Fair Co. He’s also supporting his team to deliver great work. And as The Fair Co. grows, he’s keen to see us on more panels and stages at conferences, sharing the ins and outs of social procurement done well, so more organisations can get involved.
Funny thing is, John didn’t plan to end up here. It started with a five-month contract that turned into a two-year adventure (and counting!). Back then, his job was to restructure the Business Engagement Team and reimagine our product portfolio – Challenge accepted! Today, we’ve got strong offerings around social procurement and ESG advisory, delivering social value for business, government, and communities and driving inclusive employment opportunities and contemporary practice throughout.
One of John’s proudest moments? June 2024, when The Fair Co. landed its first significant consulting gig outside its government funding under the newly revamped team – a project with the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub. That win was a turning point for us, proving we could stand on our own two feet.
Of course, it’s not all handshakes and networking. Behind the scenes, John spends plenty of time on the less glamorous stuff – writing reports, managing admin, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
If John could change one thing about business, it would be this: stop ticking boxes and start genuinely supporting diversity and inclusion with their people and procurement. That means backing Aboriginal businesses, social enterprises, and creating workplaces that welcome all kinds of talent – not because you have to, but because it’s the right thing to do.
What keeps John inspired? Making a difference and helping people grow. He loves seeing team members develop their skills and move on to bigger things. Careers aren’t static, and he’s all about giving people the tools to take their next step.
And now for the fun stuff. If The Fair Co. were a band, John would be on bass guitar – keeping the rhythm steady without hogging the spotlight. His go-to karaoke song? “Working Class Man” by Jimmy Barnes. And his weirdest claim to fame? He once jumped on stage with Jimmy Barnes at a conference in Mauritius. No photo proof (this was pre-smartphone days), but we believe him!
The Fair Co. is lucky to have John’s energy, vision, and commitment driving our engagement efforts. Stay tuned for more team stories as we keep creating social value and changing the way businesses do business.
