Directors & Leadership TEAM
Directors
The Coventry Group Board of Directors has a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Neil Cathie
Independent Non-Executive Chairman
27 year career at Australia’s largest and most successful plumbing and bathroom distributor, Reece Ltd.
7 years with a chartered accountancy firm early in his career as well as other CFO roles.
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and director of and advisor to a number of private companies.
Craig Coleman
Non-Executive Director
Craig is an experienced senior executive and director, with a 30-year career spanning banking and finance, corporate advisory, and funds management. His experience in Australian public securities includes leadership of an ASX publicly listed company and many public company directorships.
Craig is a Co-Founder of Viburnum Funds where he has primary oversight for the Strategic Equities Fund.
Prior to Viburnum Funds, Craig was Managing Director of the ASX listed Home Building Society Ltd and prior to this held several senior executive positions during a ten-year career with ANZ Banking Group Ltd - including Managing Director, Banking Products; Managing Director, Wealth Management; Non-Executive Director, E*TRADE Australia Ltd; and Head of Retail Banking, New Zealand.
Craig holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.
Anne Lockwood
Independent Non-Executive Director
Anne has over 33 years’ experience in various finance, risk management and audit roles including deep experience in mergers and acquisitions across a range of industries. Anne is the former Chief Financial and Commercial Officer of ASX-listed Integral Diagnostics (ASX: IDX) and Chief Financial Officer of Planet Innovation Limited. Prior to this, Anne spent over 20 years in accounting and audit roles including 18 years at Andersen's and EY.
Anne holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with majors in accounting and law, is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Daniel Palumbo
Independent Non-Executive Director
Daniel has extensive expertise in trade distribution and operational excellence. He built a distinguished career with the Reece Group, where he was a member of the Senior Leadership Team for over 10 years. During this time, he demonstrated a strong track record in driving financial performance, enhancing operational efficiencies, fostering customer growth, and developing organisational leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Business (International Business) and is also a Non-Executive Director at Beacon Lighting Ltd and a Director of Daisy's Garden Supplies Group.
Alex White
Non-Executive Director
Appointed March 2022.
Director of Richmond Hill Capital with over 15 years of corporate and investment management experience having co-founded Richmond Hill Capital, jointly managing the portfolio of the VF High Conviction Fund at Viburnum Funds as well as investment research, strategy and credit analyst positions with Fletcher Building, Standard and Poor, and Cooper Investors.
Non-Executive Director of MOQ Digital and HRL Holdings.
Leadership Team
Highly credentialed Coventry Leadership Team with a proven track record in B2B trade distribution.
Nik Alpert
Chief Executive Officer
Nik has a strong background leading Engineering and Industrial businesses in the power transmission, power generation, hydraulics and lubricants sectors. He has set up, acquired, managed and developed businesses in Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Thailand, Malaysia & North America. He has a proven track record of leading and transforming businesses to deliver revenue, profit and market share growth and value to stakeholders. Nik holds a masters degree in business administration and degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Patrick Maloney
Chief Financial Officer
Patrick has a strong track record in financial leadership, delivering bottom-line
growth, and successful M&A execution. He has previously served as Chief Financial
Officer at Planet Innovation. Before his role at Planet Innovation, Patrick held senior
finance positions at ASX-listed Integral Diagnostics, contributing to the organisation during a period of significant growth. He is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University.
Dan Lodder
Chief Information Officer
Accomplished Information Technology Professional with extensive experience delivering technology strategy and operational leadership across diverse industries, including supply chain, wholesale distribution, finance, sales and marketing, manufacturing, and B2B environments.
Demonstrates strong capability in overseeing enterprise infrastructure, including data centre operations, while aligning IT initiatives with organizational goals.
Adept at developing and executing IT strategies, optimizing systems performance, and leading complex IT projects that enhance business continuity, efficiency, and scalability.
Recognized for a collaborative management style, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide high-performing teams.
Holds an MBA in Computing with a specialization in IT Project Management from Charles Sturt University.
Brody Sewell
General Manager Fluid Systems
Brody was appointed General Manager of Fluid Systems in 2022. Brody worked nationally helping to grow the Fluids business in the roles of National Sales Manager and Manager of the Western Australian Operations.
Brody holds a Masters of Business Administration and Graduate Certificate in Business from the University of Western Australia, as well as a Cert IV in Laboratory Techniques, Cert IV in Frontline Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mike Wansink
General Manager Trade Distribution New Zealand
Mike is an experienced General Manager with over ten years experience managing Konnect and Artia New Zealand.
Previously he held General Manager roles with the Extra Mile Company and Rexel Electrical Supplies and Marketing and national sales roles with Steel and Tube.
His experience has been invaluable in developing strategies for the turnaround of the Australian business.
Nick Daw
General Manager Nubco
Appointed to the General Manager of Nubco in February 2020, Nick joined Coventry Group in March 2019 with the acquisition of Nubco.
Formerly the Sales and Marketing Manager at Nubco, Nick has been with the business for 16 years working in customer, purchasing and operational roles.
Chris Smith
General Manager Konnect and Artia Australia
Experienced business leader with an extensive background in the fasteners and industrial sectors, having held Business Development and Regional Manager roles across Total Fasteners, Blackwoods and the Coventry Group. Demonstrates a strong track record in driving commercial growth and operational performance, with a career shaped by deep industry knowledge and hands-on leadership. Recognised for his ability to build strong teams and deliver sustained business results, Chris has been integral to Konnect and Artia Australia's recent growth and ongoing success since his appointment as General Manager in July 2021. Prior to this role, Chris spent 13 years with the Coventry Group, including five years with Coventry Fasteners after first joining the business in 2007.
Colin Smith
Chief Executive Officer Steelmasters
Colin joined Steelmasters as Chief Financial Officer in 2018 and after overseeing the profitable development of the business was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2023.
Colin is a highly experienced executive who has held senior management and financial roles across manufacturing, logistics and industrial businesses. Colin originally trained as Chartered Accountant with EY UK before transferring to EY NZ. Colin has used his management experience and accounting training to help business segments and branches to improve their performance.
Nicola Ashton
Group HR Manager
Nicola was appointed Group Human Resources Manager in July 2025. Her long-standing career with the business gives her a valuable insight into its people, culture, and operations. Nicola holds a degree in Business Psychology and is a Herrmann (HBDI) Certified Practitioner, bringing a strong focus on understanding people, behaviour, and thinking preferences to her leadership approach.