Ben is one third of HeartSongs. The trio is a popular live band featuring Ash and Ben Bennet and Antony Vanderstichel . They regularly perform across North Queensland, Townsville, and the Whitsundays.

Peter is BACK! One of Australia’s most experienced stand up comics performing in just about every stand up room in the country. He is very, very funny. Best known as Brett on ABC TV’s Kath & Kim, Peter Rowsthorn has also been a series regular on Channel Ten’s Thank God You’re Here and has been the host of Can We Help? on ABC TV for the past five years. In 2009 he was a contestant in Celebrity Master Chef. He has presented radio shows for Triple M’s The Cage (mornings) and The Shebang (drive) as well as for Austereo Network.

Antony is the final piece of HeartSongs. The trio is a popular live band featuring Ash and Ben Bennet and Antony Vanderstichel . They regularly perform across North Queensland, Townsville, and the Whitsundays.

Manfred Streit, has 15 years of experience working with Scania in Europe, specifically in Austria. He has a strong retail background in the automotive and transport industries, working for Renault Group in Austria as a Senior Product Manager and then as Head of Fleet Sales, prior to joining Scania in the role of a Regional Director in central Austria in 2007. After 8 years in this role, he moved to the position of Country Manager for Scania Austria, which he held for more than 6 years before accepting the job of Managing Director of Scania Australia in August 2022. Manfred has spent his life in and around the industry, having driven trucks commercially in his younger days. He completed an MBA at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, and initially worked with French signalling manufacturer Alcatel, both in Canada and Austria.

Steve Heanes is the Managing Director of Irizar Australia, a position he has held since September 13, 2021. He has a rich background in the bus industry, with over 20 years of experience, including serving as the Vice-Chair of the Bus Industry Confederation and convenor of the Suppliers Group for 10 years. His leadership role at Irizar Australia is expected to contribute significantly to the company's growth and success in the Australian market.

Mr. Chang Hao currently serves as the CEO of Yutong Asia-Pacific, overseeing the company’s business operations and strategic development across the Asia-Pacific region. With over a decade of experience in the public transportation industry across more than ten countries and regions—including Singapore, Hong Kong (China), the United Kingdom, Chile, Peru, the Philippines, and France—he has developed extensive expertise and deep insights into the market dynamics, industry trends, and customer needs within the public transit sector. Mr. Chang has also actively participated in a range of environmental and sustainability initiatives, including activities related to COP26, demonstrating his strong commitment to sustainable development and the advancement of green mobility.

Tony Hopkins is the Chair of the Bus industry Confederation and Chief Executive Officer, Regional Australia Division of ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC), one of the country’s largest urban, school, and charter bus operators and part of the international ComfortDelGro group. A transport, tourism, and logistics expert and bus industry veteran of 40 years, Tony has delivered comprehensive passenger transport solutions for some of Australia’s most renowned bus brands including Greyhound and Buslink VIVO. He has served as a chair, president, vice president and committee member on the executive of various state and national industry associations for the past 14 years including the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC), Australian Public Transport Industry Association (APTIA), Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) and the former National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Taskforce. Tony is an active contributor to the community and wider industry, lobbying state, and federal governments to create improvements for with various bus operators across the country. Tony’s lifetime commitment to the bus industry was recognised in 2021, when he was presented with QBIC’s Outstanding Achievement Award. The same year, his division was honoured with the QBIC Environmental/Innovation Award, as well as a High Commendation in the 2021 NSCA Foundation/GIO National Safety Awards of Excellence.

Brett Jackson is an experienced Insurance Professional with over 40 years of working in the insurance industry. He has worked in various markets around the world, London, Asian and Australia. His skill sets spans across insurance underwriting as well as insurance broking including sales and distribution. Whilst underwriting he has covered insurance products like Oil and gas, Marine, Transport Livestock/Bloodstock, Property, liability and Buses. His years in the industry has taught him that underwriters and brokers need to work closely with each other to understand the clients needs and requirements to get the best outcome for both client and their underwriter. His team at Australian Bus and Coach have over 100 years of experience in the insurance bus industry and are very passionate about what they do.

Gard Bus and Coach Insurance was established to provide a fresh and innovative approach to the bus and coach insurance market. By combining specialist underwriters and claims management professionals with extensive industry experience, Gard Bus and Coach Insurance delivers tailored insurance solutions for operators in the passenger transport sector. Our market-leading underwriting system ensures an efficient, fast, and seamless service. With a strong commitment to sustainability and long-term partnerships, Gard Bus and Coach Insurance provides stability in an evolving market, backed by trusted insurer relationships. We offer: • Motor vehicle insurance for bus and coach owners and operators • Coverage for businesses of all sizes - from individual operators to large corporate and government fleets • Specialist policies for self-drive hire, transfers and shuttles, tour and charter services, community and hospitality transport • Bus and Tour Operators - general liability for your depot and business operations

Niklas Walter is the Director of Bus & Coach and Power Solutions at Scania Australia, bringing more than 15 years of international experience across the bus, coach and power solutions sectors. He is responsible for leading Scania Australia's strategy and growth in these business areas, working closely with customers and industry partners to deliver efficient, innovative and sustainable transport and energy solutions. Passionate about building strong partnerships, Niklas is committed to advancing low- and zero-emission technologies and supporting the transition to a more sustainable future. Niklas combines global industry expertise with a collaborative leadership style, helping customers navigate change while driving long-term value for their businesses and the communities they serve.

Varenya Mohan-Ram is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC).