The Board

Professor Michael Barber was appointed as Vice-Chancellor and President of Flinders University on 1 January 2008. As Vice-Chancellor he is keen to broaden Flinders University's existing positive relationship with its various stakeholders. In particular Professor Barber is keen to enhance the University's contribution to the 'new South Australia'.

Professor Barber has extensive university experience including a period as Dean of the Faculty of Science at Australian National University and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Western Australia. Before being appointed as Vice-Chancellor at Flinders University, Professor Barber was Executive Director, Science and Planning and Group Executive, Information, Manufacturing and Minerals at CSIRO.

Throughout his academic career, Professor Barber has been an advisor on science and research to numerous government and industry agencies, both in Australia and overseas. He was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 1992 and served as Secretary, Science Policy from 2001 until 2005.

Until recently, owner and manager of the multi-award winning Salopian Inn restaurant in McLaren Vale, Pip Forester is passionate about good food based on fresh, seasonal and regional produce.  Her commitment to the importance of using, promoting and developing local produce and a regional food culture are the reasons behind her role in founding the Fleurieu Peninsula Food Group and becoming the organisation’s founding Chairperson. Pip is Deputy Chair of McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism and a member of the Southern Adelaide Economic Development Board. She also serves on the Minister for Tourism’s Round Table and the Food and Wine Tourism Working Party reporting to the Round Table.
 
Pip is currently General Manager of the Chapel Hill Winery Gourmet Retreat in McLaren Vale, a residential cooking school designed for both business and private groups to experience the challenges that a kitchen can present or the fun of an interactive wine and food experience in a spectacular vineyard and winery location.

Mark has more than 20 years of manufacturing industry experience. During his career he has been exposed to many different manufacturing production processes and technologies for various scales of production within Australia, Japan, Europe and the US. He applies this knowledge through the Board, supporting strategic manufacturing needs that are important for economic gain within the Southern Region.

Mark is the Director of 'Manufacturing Focus Pty Ltd', a process engineering company for the manufacturing industry which he created in 2005. This business has been highly successful servicing both local and interstate clients. Prior to commencing Manufacturing Focus, Mark lead the Production Engineering Business Unit at Mitsubishi Motors Australia's Engine and Vehicle manufacturing plants. In this role Mark had the responsibility for more than 100 manufacturing and related expert engineers.

Mark is recognised as a Certified Practicing Manager and is a Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Member of the Society of Automotive Engineers Australia, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed a Masters in Management from the University of South Australia.