Bond Business Leaders Forum:What is entrepreneurship really like?

QUEENSLAND's Inaugural Chief Entrepreneur, and founder of ASX-listed Blue Sky Alternative Investments, Mark Sowerby will provide the Gold Coast business community with a rare insight into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship at the Bond Business Leaders Forum on 10 August.

Regarded as one of the state’s great business success stories, Mr Sowerby was appointed to the newly established role of Chief Entrepreneur in 2016, with the brief of representing Queensland start-ups as an ambassador to nurture innovation and encourage investment.

With a background in agriculture and commodities trading, Mr Sowerby launched asset management business Blue Sky Alternative Investments in 2006, investing in private equity, venture capital, private real estate, water, infrastructure, hedge funds and agriculture.

Bond Business School Executive Dean, Professor Terry O'Neill, said Mr Sowerby's rapid rise to the top of the start-up community was inspirational, ideally positioning him to lead the discussion on the triumphs and trials of entrepreneurship.

"Mark will be discussing his successful 2015 swim across the English Channel - a 32 kilometre journey that he completed in 14 hours - as a parallel for the challenges faced in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, along with sharing his own experiences in the corporate world," he said.

"In just 10 years, Mark grew Blue Sky from a start-up to one of Australia's top 300 listed companies, with a market capitalisation of more than $500 million and a team of more than 80 staff in Australia and New York, before handing over the reins last year to spend more time with his family and help with projects that have a positive social impact.

“His impressive list of achievements and accolades includes being named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Queensland in 2015 and serving on the board of the Starlight Children’s Hospital Foundation and Racing Queensland.

"Anyone who has had the privilege of hearing Mark speak will know he is an inspiring and entertaining speaker, and I know those who attend the forum will walk away with a great insight into what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur."

The Bond Business Leaders Forum, featuring Mark Sowerby, will be held at Bond University's Princeton Room on Thursday, 10 August. Tickets are $40 each,  $180 for a pack of five, or $300 for a pack of 10 tickets.

For more information and to register for the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bond-business-leaders-forum-presents-mr-mark-sowerby-founder-blue-sky-private-equity-what-is-registration-35503031523

Who:   Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur and Blue Sky Alternative Investments founder, Mark Sowerby

What: Bond Business Leaders Forum puts entrepreneurship under the spotlight

When: Thursday, 10 August: 5.45pm to 8.30pm

Where:  Bond University, Princeton Room, Level 3, University Centre (Building 6)

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