This Month
Mark Cavendish is ready to shake up cycling’s business model
The former world champion always knew where to position himself to win a race, now he wants to bring that ruthless edge to the business side of the sport.
The Australian running Disney+ is ready to talk about it
Once a PR staffer, Alisa Bowen now oversees one of the world’s biggest streaming platforms. In a rare interview, she outlines her vision for its future.
He made hair removal and Botox popular. Now he’s enjoying his wealth
Laser Clinics Australia co-founder Babak Moini spends his time at the gym, socialising, ensuring he sleeps enough – and making a classic Sydney property play.
Sydney’s hairdresser to the stars doesn’t know why he’s so famous
Women wait for weeks to see Joh Bailey, who took an unlikely route from James Ruse Agricultural High School to the salons of Double Bay.
October
Blanche d’Alpuget, a woman comfortable in contradictions
“Whatever carapace one has, we would prefer to be loved than hated.” The once-reviled wife of Bob Hawke is enjoying the love, and still has a few surprises.
‘Those kinds of interviews wouldn’t happen these days’: Jana Wendt
She was the Perfumed Steamroller, Australia’s most high profile and feared journalist, until just shy of 50, she disappeared. Now she’s back, as a novelist.
Why the chief justice is worried about Trump, tech barons and trust
He’s the art-loving ‘Chairman of Fun’ tipped for the High Court, but NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell is also an unusually outspoken advocate for the rule of law.
How croissant queen Kate embraced needing to be in control
What began as a therapeutic fixation has become beloved by millions. Now former F1 engineer Kate Reid has to figure out what to do next.
Why Mr Melbourne is going all in on Sydney’s ‘steak town’
After 30 years in the restaurant game, Chris Lucas dominates the Melbourne dining scene. Now he’s taking on Sydney’s beefy institutions.
September
Australia’s top satirical fashion critic made me sign an NDA to talk
Red carpet commentator Fashion Critical’s celebrity takedowns have won admirers from Alex Perry to Christie Brinkley. Just don’t reveal her name.
Why this vegetarian entrepreneur is eating meat again
Michael Fox says the demise of his first start-up, Shoes of Prey, was like “ripping a Band-Aid off slowly”. For his second act, he’s into sustainable food.
The business case for diversity is failing, says Cordelia Fine
Cordelia Fine has made a career exploring our vexed understanding of gender. She thinks the corporate world and its DEI programs have made a hash of things.
Meet Jun Bei Liu, the firecracker under funds management
After arriving from Shanghai at 16, she has risen through Australia’s stock picking ranks by force of will and a determination not to blend in.
August
This man is making millions offering mini-MBAs online
Watching an audience captivated by a person in a dressing gown sparked a personal transformation that ultimately led to marketing guru Mark Ritson cashing in.
Daniel Mookhey is not a treasurer from central casting
The son of migrants-made-good and former unionist on the market-based values driving a ‘modernisation’ agenda that might put a few noses out of joint.
Skills tsar Barney Glover is a living advertisement for good education
The working-class kid with a talent for maths became university head and now head of Jobs and Skills Australia, and has good news for those worried about AI.
The stay-at-home mum who built Australia’s first women-only gym empire
Diana Williams was a stay-at-home mum when she started Fernwood, Australia’s first women-only gym, in 1989. It’s still going strong.
The making of Australia’s – and perhaps the world’s – kaftan queen
Camilla Franks was derided as an unworthy upstart, but as she rolls out across America, the fashion designer is having the last laugh.
July
Meet the boss spreading Shakespeare from prisons to the C-suite
The new executive director of Bell Shakespeare has seen the Bard benefit everyone from Telstra and Wesfarmers execs to juvenile offenders.
‘Unprecedented’: Behind the email that blew up Minters
Veteran lawyer Peter Bartlett lifts the lid on the saga that led to the exit of MinterEllison chief Annette Kimmitt.