Cecily Zhu

Contact details:

Areas of experience:

• Accountancy
• Administrative
• Banking
• Commercial
• Company
• Contracts
• Corporate
• Finance
• Industrial relations
• Property
• Trade practices

Affinity with rural industries:

I am the Secretariat to the Code of Conduct for Australian Winegrape Purchases, a voluntary industry code which provides a framework to support fair and equitable dealings between growers and winemakers. In that role, I provide dispute resolution advice and facilitate early resolution of disputes through facilitated negotiation and mediation. I also present at industry events about disputes and issues affecting the sector.

I was previously appointed as Acting Dispute Resolution Adviser to the Horticulture of Conduct (2013-2016), a mandatory industry code which regulates trade in horticulture produce between growers and traders. I managed a team of frontline staff responding to a high volume of enquiries from industry participants and providing clear and practical advice. We were responsible for case management, maintaining a panel of mediators and regular reporting to the Commonwealth Government.

As a mediator with qualifications in law and finance, I have strong commercial acumen and experience in assisting parties to navigate their business disputes. I am a panel mediator for the NSW and Victorian Small Business Commissions, and I regularly receive private mediation appointments to commercial disputes. As a Board Director and member of the finance committee for a not-for-profit organisation, I also have sound knowledge in governance and risk management.