Platform has a management board that keeps an eye on the “big picture” and provides oversight and guidance to our CEO and staff.  The people on our board bring a rich diversity of experience and skills to the organisation and a passion for improving the lives of vulnerable young people.

Anna Wemyss — Chairperson, Chair Governance Committee
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Dip Ed

Anna joined Platform Youth Services in November 2013. Anna is a Probus Club Member and a local to the Blue Mountains district. Being a retired High School Teacher specialising in English, she yields over 30 years’ experience in working with young people. Anna has also successfully owned and run a catering business.

 

Colin Lenton – Treasurer, Chair Audit and Risk Committee
Qualifications: B.Bus — Accounting, FAICD

Colin joined Blue Mountains Youth Accommodation and Support Services in 2008. Colin has several current Board positions in Government, Banking, Health, Education and Not for-Profits. He has owned and operated a hotel and guesthouse- conference centre in the upper Blue Mountains. Colin continues to work toward his goal in streamlining and improving businesses and their structures through Board Corporate Governance.

 

Richard Sargent – Chair Audit and Risk Committee
Qualifications: MBA, FCCA

Richard joined Platform in 2018.  Richard has held senior executive positions in Finance and Transformation with large multinationals for over 20 years.  He was Head of Finance for Castrol Australia for over 6 years.  Richard has worked in Australia, the UK and Singapore.  He was a director of a manufacturing JV between BP and Caltex for 3 years.  Richard held the treasurer role for a school charity in the UK in 2015/2016.

 

Adam Smith

Adam joined Platform in 2023.  Adam has over 20 years of experience in the banking and finance industry.  Adam has been with ANZ Bank for over ten years in a variety of finance leadership positions in financial control and decision support and previously was with Merrill Lynch in Australia and the UK for 6 years. Adam holds a Bachelor of International Business and a Masters in Finance from London Business School.

Simone Angus – Board Secretary, Audit and Risk Committee

Simone joined Platform Youth Services in 2014 after being on the Turning Point Youth Accommodation Service Board.  Simone is local to the Penrith area and has worked in youth accommodation and outreach.  Simone previously worked for the Nepean Youth Drug and Alcohol Service since 2005 across Nepean Blue Mountains, Western Sydney and Southwest Sydney.  Simone currently manages programs for the Ted Noffs Foundation.

 

Deryk Learmonth – Governance and Planning Committee
Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws, DipLaw (LPAB)

Deryk is a principal of Williamson + Learmonth Solicitors.  Deryk studied at Dundee University in Scotland, and the Legal Profession Admission Board in Sydney. Deryk practices in the areas of Family Law, Civil & Criminal Litigation, and Wills and Estates. Deryk is well known to the Penrith Community having advised local people and businesses since 2014.

 

Rebecca Evans – Governance and Planning Committee

Rebecca a proud Aniawan Country woman joined Platform in 2021. Rebecca has lived and worked on Darug Country for 30 years with her passion of education leading her to teaching. Rebecca has held various roles through TAFE in areas largely focused on Youth and Community. Rebecca currently works with students years 7-10 with low literacy and numeracy and disengaged from education, along with focusing on student wellbeing ensuring students have their basic needs for a positive school experience.

 

Cassandra Muller

Cassie joined NAB in late 2021 as Chief People Officer (Digital, Data and Technology) and Transformation (HR and Agile) after over 10 years with the Woolworths Group, including 5 years in a key leadership role establishing and scaling Woolies. Cassie is a commercial, outcome focused, senior executive leader with extensive strategic and operational HR and IR experience. She is an accomplished leader who achieved business success by influencing and partnering with executive leaders.

 

Penrith

By appointment

Blue Mountains

By appointment

Hawkesbury

By appointment