Meet the Team

TAS EXECUTIVE TEAM

Francis Child, CEM

Francis Child was born and educated in the United Kingdom where he obtained a BSc. in Economics with Statistics at the University of Bristol. He qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales in 1981. After leaving the accounting profession in 1985, Francis gained extensive experience in both the entertainment and events based industry sectors. Having worked for Chrysalis Records and EMI Records in the UK for 8 years, Francis moved to Australia in 1992, where he worked for AiC Worldwide (now Terrapinn) in the capacity of both Main Board Director and Finance Director. During this time AiC Worldwide became one of the leading global conference and trade show organisers.

In July, 2000 Francis purchased Conference Action Pty. Ltd a company specialising in event management for the Association, Society and Government sectors. In 2005, the addition of the Australian Professional Centre (APC), moved the business into a more strategically focused provider of association management services. Francis has, since then, developed what is now The Association Specialists into the leading provider of association management services in Australia. He continues to passionately drive improvements into the not-for-profit sector whilst struggling to get any improvement in his golf game. Francis is an Honorary Life Member of the PCO Association and Past President of Lane Cove Football Club.

Nell Harrison, CEM

Executive Director

Nell is a Graduate of Applied Communication Studies with majors in Marketing & Public Relations. Nell is highly committed and passionate about her professional industry and was among the first group of certified Event Managers (CEM) with the Australian Professional Conference Organising Association.

In recent years, Nell has been working internationally and brings with her extensive organisational and management experience with association and corporate conferences, having held senior positions within conference management, business development as well as consulting strategically on the conception and implementation of international & national conference and event programmes.

She has a strong focus on achieving excellence in operational management, fostering strong client relationships and maintaining a strong sense of ethics and integrity throughout all her business practices.

Megan Ogier

Director of Member Services

Megan joined The Association Specialists in early 2012 bringing with her a wealth of experience in Sales and Event Management. Her previous roles within the hotel industry included sales, client relationship management, contract negotiation, event and financial management with clients from both Association and Corporate sectors. She brings a commercial focus and strong customer service skills to her client portfolio.

John Todd

Consultant

KEY PERSONNEL

Sue Gillard

Director - Melbourne Office

Sue has more than 20 years’ experience working in the not-for-profit sector for International and Australia-wide professional associations, societies and institutes including academia, corporate and government.

Over the years, Sue has developed strong and reliable connections with industry leaders, managing meetings, events and exhibitions for clients in finance, education, health, engineering and legal sectors. She believes the key to a successful event is the fostered relationships with industry contacts.

With a background in higher education as well as the finance and health sectors, Sue has been exposed to a multitude of operating environments in the workplace and has developed a versatile work practice. She has held Board positions with Organisation of Women in International Trade and The National Online Retailers Association.

In 1994, Sue established CLEMS Association & Event Management, a specialist consultancy that offered a range of professional support services to assist in all aspects of association management and event management. As of 1st May 2019 CLEMS has merged with The Association Specialists (TAS) establishing a new presence within the Melbourne market creating Australia’s largest and leading provider of Association Management and Professional Conference Management Services.

As Director of the Melbourne Office, Sue now leads the Melbourne based TAS team, bringing together her unique experience and leadership to ensure a continuation of the strong culture and excellent client relationships

Affiliations: MEA, PCO (DIR), NFP

Adil Ahmad

Team Manager - Accounts

Adil comes to The Association Specialists with a great deal of practical experience in book keeping, lodging BAS returns and Individual and Company Tax returns. Adil graduated from Central Queensland University (Sydney campus) and then completed his Masters Degree in Accounting. He started his working career as a part-time bookkeeper for the Macquarie University Postgraduate Association during his studies and had been working in the finance sector at an accounting firm in a full-time role before joining us at TAS.

Susanna is a passionate, creative and results-driven Marketing Professional and Events Manager for The Association Specialists with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry.

Susanna always aims to push projects to the next level and deliver a client's vision through innovation, creativity, and hard work. She has a strong focus on developing good client relationships and believes this is key to understanding their needs and bringing their goals to life.

Trisha Graham

Team Manager - Association Management

Thalia Child

Team Manager - Association Management

Thalia graduated from Macquarie University in 2015 and is a hardworking and loyal member of The Association Specialists. She has skills in both association and conference management, having operated in various roles throughout the organisation in her 6+ years with the company.

Thalia’s current role is Team Leader in the association management department, ensuring the delivery of a wide scope of services to over 25 associations on a day-to-day basis. Thalia is also adept in producing large-scale conferences and events for associations and non-for-profit organsiations. Thalia enjoys building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders across a wide variety of industries and brings a strong focus on customer service to The Association Specialists.

TAS Organisation Chart