Profile
Cecil Fernandes is a seasoned human resources executive whose career spans Australia’s largest retail, distribution, community services and food manufacturing organisations. He began his HR journey with Coles Myer in Perth, progressing into senior regional, state and national roles where he shaped major mergers and acquisitions, built leadership capability and led complex organisational change.
He later joined Metcash Trading, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest independent distribution network, reporting directly to the CEO in national HR leadership roles. There, he strengthened employee relations frameworks and oversaw bullying and harassment investigations across Australia.
Fernandes then served as executive director at Access Community Services, guiding programs supporting migrants, refugees, youth, mental health, disability and employment services. His impact led to his appointment as an Australian Delegate to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and recognition by the Australian Ambassador in Geneva.
He is now chief HR manager at Golden Cockerel, driving cultural transformation, retention strategies, recruitment innovation and award-winning recognition programs. Known for turning low-morale environments into energised, purpose-driven teams, Fernandes believes that one cannot ask for a hand unless one can first touch a heart.
Outside of work, he rescues animals, walks his pet goats in Hawthorne Park and cooks for the homeless every Sunday.
1483 Mt. Cotton Road, Mt. Cotton, QLD 4165
0467 452 469
cecilf@gcc.com.au
linkedin.com/in/manjit-biring-mba-fcip-154b814b
gcc.com.au
Cecil Fernandes
Chief Human Resources Manager
Golden Cockerel
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Bio
Milestones
Profile
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2000–2012
2002–2014
2018
2015–2020
2023–Present
National Human Resources Manager at Coles Myer
2000–2012
National Human Resources Manager at Metcash Trading
2002–2014
Finalist, HRD Australian Human Resources Director of the Year
2018
Executive Director at Access Community Services
2015–2020
Chief Human Resources Manager at Golden Cockerel
2023–Present
Milestones
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Empathy underpins that discipline. Prickett has struggled in the industry. She has felt what it is like when promised support does not materialize. Having worked across almost every function in the company, she understands operational detail and the pressure agents face. That shared experience shapes her leadership.
Structural barriers also shaped her path. As a woman and a mother, she encountered the assumption that serious business building required keeping priorities “out of order for a time.” She also experienced the double standard that frames firm women as difficult while praising similar behaviour in men.
“If you have a choice between being liked and doing the right thing, doing the right thing is always better, even if it’s the unpopular thing,” Prickett says.
She wants to dismantle the expectation that women must choose between career and family, or between strength and kindness. In her view, leadership demands both conviction and care.
Being named an Elite Woman carries weight. Prickett did not have female role models in the industry when she started. She hopes visibility changes that. “I hope I can be an example. Not of perfection, but of persistence. Of building from your values and staying true to who you are.”
The legacy Prickett is still defining centres on proof – proof that a large, profitable company can grow without sacrificing integrity; proof that agents can build real assets while keeping their priorities intact; and proof that leadership does not require abandoning who you are to succeed.
“If you have a choice between being liked and doing the right thing, doing the right thing is always better, even if it’s the unpopular thing”
Lee-Ann Prickett,
Experior Financial Group
“What I’ve learned is that when you build from your values, when you put people first, when you do the right thing even when it’s hard, that becomes your plan”
Lee-Ann Prickett,
Experior Financial Group
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
“My strongest professional quality is my ability to build trust and long-term relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
“My strongest professional quality is my ability to build trust and long-term relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage