Graham Toon

Graham Toon
General Manager

Qualifications

Masters of Business Administration, Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Arts, University of Queensland

Experience

A client once described Graham Toon as “an invaluable initiator of (organisational) change”. The description, while much-appreciated, came as no real surprise, because Graham loves change.

He thrives on setting a strategic agenda, focussing on the desired objectives and resolutely progressing to achieving outcomes.

Graham’s respectful and quietly spoken manner belies the strong competitive side of his character. A high achiever, innovative problem solver…he’s thoroughly goal oriented.

Since September 2002, he has been the General Manager of Livingstones Australia.

Graham’s role at Livingstones is diverse.

It requires a generalist skill set that has been enhanced by fourteen years of international business management experience.

Following a year living in Finland, Graham returned to Brisbane to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland.

He returned overseas, to London where he worked for world renowned Harrods Ltd. A member of Harrods’ Training and Development Department, Graham was responsible for training the company’s Buyers, Department Managers, Graduate Trainees and Finance Clerks to use Harrods’ finance and information technology systems.

Upon returning to Australia, Graham pursued a career in Human Resource Development for a number of the world’s leading retailers before transitioning into Marketing, Brand Management and then General Management.

While completing his MBA through the Queensland University of Technology, Graham also operated his own consultancy practice that focussed on assisting growing businesses with issues associated with new venture leadership, growth and transition.

During this time some of his achievements included:

• Establishing and implementing strategic and business plans for clients that resulted in revenue and profitability growth; and
• Coaching and mentoring business owners and their key personnel to systemise their organisations thereby positioning themselves to better manage their growth and the associated risks.

During his career, Graham has travelled extensively and fostered relationships with customers and suppliers in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Singapore and New Zealand.

It is this breadth of commercial exposure that allows him to draw a global insight to issues and challenges.

In June 2005, Graham studied at the Harvard Business School, attending a week-long residential program for Leaders of Professional Service Firms.

While the vast majority of his time and energy has been focussed on Livingstones Australia’s own activities, Graham is available in a consultancy capacity to assist clients with the development and implementation of their organisational strategy and business plans.

Personal Interests

Graham and his wife Debra have a young family of four children including twin boys born in November 2006. He is passionate about commerce and sport. He also has a keen interest in cinema, music, technology and multimedia.

One way that Graham combines his interests is through the production of family DVDs which document a video history of his family's development.

One day he would like to produce a feature movie. But right now his lifestyle goal is to become a better fisherman!

Graham is also actively involved in a project called www.awakenmozambique.org. Awaken Mozambique plans to provide micro-finance, business training, and international collaboration for small businesses in Beira, Mozambique.

Contact

Phone Number: 07 3833 1200

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