Stuart Brookshaw
Yarraville, Australia,Victoria
Summary
Dynamic and commercially astute business leader with over 30 years’ experience driving growth, transformation, and operational excellence across a diverse range of industries, including technology, digital, hospitality, wine, and professional services. With a proven record as CEO, COO, Managing Director, Consultant, and Brand & Marketing Strategist, I have led businesses across Australia, Asia, the US, and Europe, building teams, launching new ventures, and scaling revenue from concept through to acquisition.
I bring a rare combination of creative brand thinking and analytical rigour, underpinned by deep operational experience. Whether revitalising legacy businesses, leading high-growth startups, or supporting complex turnarounds, I consistently deliver clarity, momentum, and measurable results.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder - CEO
Taste Consulting
01.1998 - Current
- Delivered growth, transformation, and performance outcomes for 100+ businesses across Australia, Asia, the US, and Europe
- Developed and executed strategic and operational plans to align teams, improve accountability, and drive execution
- Implemented end-to-end systemisation across finance, operations, marketing, and team structure
- Designed SOP frameworks, performance metrics, and reporting systems to support scale and sustainability
- Led commercial, marketing, and brand strategies to reposition businesses and expand market reach
- Provided short-term executive leadership (CEO/COO) to fill capability gaps and support business transition
Performance Director
Philotimo Global
Melbourne, Vic
08.2021 - 03.2025
- Oversaw the growth and performance of multiple SME businesses with a collective managed revenue exceeding $300M.
- Designed strategic planning, reporting, and performance frameworks to align executive teams and drive business outcomes.
- Partnered with founders and business owners to solve complex challenges in sales, operations, finance, and leadership.
CEO
Venuemob Australia
, Australia Singapore
01.2018 - 10.2019
- Led the business through a high-growth phase, scaling to over $150M in annual event enquiries across 4,000+ venues and 23,000 spaces
- Rebuilt commercial model and go-to-market strategy, elevating VenueNow to the #1 ranked platform in its category for SEO and supply
- Managed two capital raises, securing funding to expand operations, accelerate growth, and strengthen market positioning
- Oversaw all functional areas including sales, marketing, product, finance, and partnerships
- Positioned the company for successful acquisition by Spare Workspace through strategic rebranding and commercial realignment
Director of Special Projects & Innovation
Deliveroo Australia Pty Ltd
, Australia - UK
02.2016 - 01.2018
- Led the launch and scaling of new business units, including Deliveroo Editions, across multiple Australian markets
- Oversaw cross-functional innovation projects involving operations, commercial, real estate, marketing, and customer experience
- Represented Australia in global leadership forums; worked closely with HQ teams in London on strategic innovation rollout
- Scaled a national team from startup phase to 30+ staff; built a $30M GMV revenue stream across multiple cities
- Managed high-level stakeholder relationships with government, councils, landlords, and development partners
- Drove implementation of new systems and operating models to support national expansion and category leadership
Founder & Managing Director
HCS Holdings Pty Ltd / RORS Group Melbourne
, Australia, UK, Dubai
03.2014 - 07.2017
- Co-founder of innovative, international, fast, casual, wine & food Start-Up, HCS Holdings Pty Ltd.
- Start-up of multiple sites, pop up events; domestic and international.
- Responsible for launching the brand into Dubai, Canada and the UK.
Founder & Managing Director
Albert St Food & Wine Pty Ltd
Melbourne, Victoria
02.2010 - 03.2014
- Established the brand and Start-Up business plan for Albert St Food & Wine; the first one hat restaurant, wine bar and wine store in Brunswick, Melbourne with Philippa Sibley.
- Oversaw all financial activity including P&L, weekly and monthly reporting, cash flow projections and annual report to the shareholders.
- Awarded 1 Hat (Good Food Guide) in first year (2012) and 2013
- Nominated for Best New Restaurant & Chef of the Year 2012 - Gourmet Traveler Australia Top 100 Restaurant 2013 - The Australian Top 50 Restaurant 2013.
Global Brand Manager
Plantagenet Wines / Lionel Samson
, Global
04.2007 - 02.2010
- Accountable for brand strategies in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Middle East, South America and South Africa.
- Responsible for all S&OP / S&M strategies, business plan and budgets.
- Implemented brand policy and ensured all objectives are met in line with brand global P&L and a domestic marketing budget of $10m pa
- Accountable to board of directors monthly and annually for all brand fiscal reporting and outcomes.
Global Brand Manager
Rathbone Wine Group
, Global
03.2003 - 01.2007
- Responsible for brand outcomes in domestic and export markets including Nth America, South America, the EU, UK, Asia and Middle East.
- Established and managed all brand, Marcom Plans.
- Manager of domestic and global Sales & Marketing strategies.
- Assisted in managing a domestic sales and marketing team of 45 people.
- Responsible for the development of the annual business plan that comprised of macro-economic trends, market assessment, competitive review, brand performance analysis and A&P expenditure.
Group General Manager
Terzini Restaurant Group
Sydney, NSW
01.1998 - 03.2003
- High profile restaurant group which included Otto Ristorante Italiano, Nove Pizzeria, Icebergs Dining Room & Bar, North Bondi Italian and Otto Catering.
- Managed all facets of the Group which exceeded $100 million in revenue.
- The business received over 50 awards for excellence in food, wine and service and multiple chefs’ hats during my tenure.
- Operations Manager of major events at The Wharf, Woolloomooloo including; 2000 Sydney Olympics
Education
Masters of Entrepreneurship & Innovation - Business
Swinburne University
01-2010
Diploma - Wine Evaluation Level
Wine & Spirit Education Trust
1998
Diploma - Production and Design
Victorian College of the Arts
1993
Skills
- AI, Trello, Looker, Periscope, Notion, Radar, Microsoft 365, Mac OS, Adobe Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite
- Skilled in accounting software management
- Proficient in Salesforce, Zoho, Hubspot, and Pipedrive
- Expert Sales Director
- Exceptional leadership
- Financial management
- Client engagement specialist
- Quality assurance specialist
- Operations management expertise
- Results-oriented strategic leader
- Opportunity risk evaluation
- Strategic growth executive
Affiliations
- Made in the Shade Group Board 2021-Present
- Untitled Group Board 2020-Present
- Montsalvat Trust Board of Management / Marketing: 2007 - 2012
- Australian Specialist Cheese makers Association - Cheese Judge: 2005 - 2009
- Sculptures by the Sea, Sydney – marketing committee: 2004 - 2007
- Sommeliers Association of Australia: current member
- Swinburne University; Masters Curriculum Advisor Committee: current
- Grampian Marketing Association – committee member: 2004
- Great Grape Touring Route – committee member: 2004
- Italian Trade Commission – committee member:2000-2002
- 3RRR Radio Presenter “The I Don’t Want to Go Out Show”: 1988 - 1993
References
REFEREES
Available upon request.
Interests
Wine history, international travel, theatre, film, design, architecture, tennis, listening to and performing music, dining in new restaurants
Linked in Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-brookshaw-11453713/
Timeline
Performance Director
Philotimo Global
08.2021 - 03.2025
CEO
Venuemob Australia
01.2018 - 10.2019
Director of Special Projects & Innovation
Deliveroo Australia Pty Ltd
02.2016 - 01.2018
Founder & Managing Director
HCS Holdings Pty Ltd / RORS Group Melbourne
03.2014 - 07.2017
Founder & Managing Director
Albert St Food & Wine Pty Ltd
02.2010 - 03.2014
Global Brand Manager
Plantagenet Wines / Lionel Samson
04.2007 - 02.2010
Global Brand Manager
Rathbone Wine Group
03.2003 - 01.2007
Group General Manager
Terzini Restaurant Group
01.1998 - 03.2003
Founder - CEO
Taste Consulting
01.1998 - Current
Masters of Entrepreneurship & Innovation - Business
Swinburne University
Diploma - Wine Evaluation Level
Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Diploma - Production and Design
Victorian College of the Arts
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