QLD | Empowering Tomorrow: AI, Digitalisation, and Energy Consumption - 2024 Sustainability Forum

Newly appointed Honorary Consul of France in Brisbane, Alain Etchegaray has had a long and deep involvement with the French and Australian business communities over many years.

Within these communities, Alain holds numerous key roles, facilitating and supporting trade and bi-lateral relationships and connecting companies and individuals on many levels. He is the President of a French association assisting French people living abroad – Union des Français de l’Etranger Queensland (UFE Queensland), Federal Board member and Vice-President of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI Queensland), as well as a Board member of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council (APIBC).
Alain was also appointed by the French Prime Minister as a French Foreign Trade Advisor. In this capacity, Alain shares industry knowledge and his experience working for the development of France and carrying out concrete actions in partnership with public and private players who have a role in promoting and supporting the internationalisation of French companies.

More broadly, as a well-connected leader, business owner, and senior executive specialising in learning and development and ISO certification, Alain’s exposure to, expertise in, and knowledge of the service industries in Europe, America, Asia, and the Pacific region have shaped his strong interest in international, cross-cultural, and diversified management.

Alain has operated as a HR consultant, ISO auditor and manager of companies in cultural environments such as the United States, Japan, France, Germany, New Caledonia and Australia. He currently runs an ISO certification body, Sci Qual, as well as an HR consulting company Pacific, People Solutions – both are successful businesses based in Brisbane.

Alain holds a Master of Management from an International Business School in Paris (France). His passion for learning and development has lead him to complete post-graduate studies in Human Resources at the University of California in Los Angeles and in Organisational Development at Macquarie University in Sydney.

Andrew has over 25 years’ experience acting for a range of public and private sector organisations on ICT projects, especially software as a service. He also regularly advises clients on privacy, data and AI, as well as a range of commercial contracts. He is highly regarded for the commercial and pragmatic advice he provides, with a specific focus on strategic procurement and the development, negotiation, and implementation of complex contracts.

Director Strategy & Marketing at Schneider Electric, Nicole Blackburn has over 20 years’ experience within industrial environments focusing on disruptive technology and innovation to drive real outcomes for clients to support their sustainability ambitions. Nicole has held several senior executive roles in Australia, Asia, and Europe. Having joined Schneider Electric in 2019, Nicole currently leads its Industrial Automation Strategy and Marketing team. Nicole is passionate about bringing technology and digitalisation to the forefront as an enabler towards a net zero carbon emissions future, she believes that delivering transformative outcomes that support sustainability drive business growth at scale.