Barry Cosier, Chief Executive Officer, SPSA

Barry has over 30 years’ experience in both the Resource Recovery and Recycling Industry and in the Food and Grocery Industry. Like many, he started his working career packing shelves in supermarkets while at university. Since then, he has worked for multinational grocery companies, was CEO of a privately owned Australian food manufacturing company and represented small to medium enterprises on the Australian Food and Grocery Council board.

He then moved to the Resource Recovery industry and was involved in Council contracts, collections, MRF processing and was a member of various state government Industry Advisory Panels.

While Director of Sustainability at the Australian Food and Grocery Council he led the development of the National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS), was an Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) board member, and a member of the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Resource Recovery Reference Groups.

Aaron Rodman, Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer

Aaron is a self-confessed “humble bean counter”, Aaron is a key member of the team working to bring soft plastics recycling back to Australian households. He is partnering closely with Barry, Phil and the broader team to establish the supply chain, secure initial Scheme funding, and deliver a range of commercial agreements to bring the scheme to life.

An accomplished CFO and Head of Strategy, Aaron brings over 20 years’ commercial and leadership experience across sustainability and recycling, financial services, and logistics. Prior to joining SPSA, he played a pivotal role in establishing the container deposit scheme in Queensland as CFO and Head of Strategy for Containers for Change.

He also spent nearly eight years in logistics and mining services with ASX-listed company Aurizon. Aaron was previously a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Management Committee at API. He is a Chartered Accountant with qualifications in commerce, accounting, and corporate governance, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Bonnie Marshall, External Relations Lead

Bonnie spent four years in the Australian Retail Council Policy team. Before joining the team, Bonnie worked at the National Youth Science Forum, and served 12 years in the Australian Federal Parliament as a Chief of Staff, campaign lead, policy adviser and media and communications manager.

Bonnie has provided advice on key legislative areas including advanced manufacturing, energy policy, STEM and education, international relations, regional job creation, agriculture and dairy and social issues such as homelessness and women’s safety.

Her work has seen her establishing a Manufacturing Taskforce, and providing policy feedback in areas such as advanced manufacturing, energy and critical supply chains as well as advising on policies relating to Net Zero emissions, clean energy, medical technology and preventative health.

Bonnie travelled with a Parliamentary delegation to Western Australia and worked closely with the Chair of a bipartisan committee on issues impacting Indigenous Australians. She also travelled to the United Nations in New York representing her employer and worked with international embassies and consulates.

Bonnie previously managed the Australasian Recycling Label project and has also previously worked on the New South Wales single-use plastic ban information campaign.

Phillip Micallef, Head of Operations

Philip is the Head of Operations at Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA), bringing more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across recycling, resource recovery, manufacturing and complex industrial operations.

Philip is responsible for leading SPSA’s operational strategy and supply chain performance, supporting the development of a sustainable national framework for soft plastics recovery and recycling in Australia. His work focuses on industry collaboration, operational optimisation, stakeholder engagement and building scalable solutions that strengthen circular economy outcomes.

Phillip’s experience spans recycling processing, logistics, manufacturing, procurement, asset management and large-scale business improvement programs.

Prior to joining SPSA, Philip held senior leadership roles with Cleanaway, where he oversaw major recycling processing operations in Victoria, as well as executive positions with National Masonry and BHP. Throughout his career, he has led multi-site operations, major capital and transformation programs, and strategic initiatives focused on efficiency, sustainability and long-term industry growth.

Philip holds an Executive MBA, Bachelor of Business and postgraduate qualifications in Industrial Marketing.

Oscar Nicholson, Head of Partnerships and Marketing

Oscar leads enterprise transformation across strategy, sustainability, and digital systems.

A specialist in translating strategy into execution within complex, multi-stakeholder environments, Oscar designs the governance, operating models, and commercial mechanisms required to deliver measurable outcomes at scale. Oscar brings deep expertise in enterprise-wide performance improvement through operating model and system design, strategic alignment across commercial, government, and industry stakeholders, and the execution of complex, cross-functional programs with clear accountability.

Oscar has worked with leading organisations including Coles, Woolworths, Mars, Nestlé, P&G, Unilever, and L’Oréal, as well as NGOs and multiple levels of government. With a strong focus on P&L responsibility, Oscar aligns investment and resources to deliver whole-of-organisation outcomes and sustainable performance uplift.

Oscar collaborated to establish Australia’s first industry-led national soft plastics stewardship scheme, coordinating major retailers, global brands, recyclers, and government to build a functioning circular economy at national scale.

Richard Smith, Business Development Expert Advisor

Richard has joined the SPSA Team, in collaboration with APCO, and was previously the Director of Sustainability for Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific, based in Melbourne with responsibility for Amcor’s sustainability agenda across the Asia Pacific region. 

Richard is a Chemical Engineer and has worked in the packaging industry for over 30 years, focused heavily on innovation and sustainability, enabling customers to become more circular through responsible packaging solutions. 

Richard is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Packaging; he is a non-executive Director of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and a member of Chemistry Australia Plastics Council. 

Helen Millicer, GAICD, Churchill Fellow, Expert Advisor

Helen is a recognised, award-winning strategist on circularity and climate-ready future, with 30 years’ leadership experience in executive and governance in government, industry associations and business.

Helen is the author of a groundbreaking report in 2026 into Extended Producer Responsibility schemes in Australia and other nations and was principal author of the 2023 seminal report for the Australian Government recommending 10 major changes for the eco-design of all products into the Australian market and the chapter on plastics.

As CEO of One Planet Consulting, she is engaged in national projects and strategies. In addition to her role with Australia’s industry-led EPR stewardship program for plastic packaging for Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia Helen is also Australia Lead for global program, Climate Action for Associations for trades and professions and Board Director Solving Plastic Waste CRC.

Helen has held senior policy and program roles in both state government departments and agencies, and national industry associations regarding energy, carbon, water and materials, and consulted to APCO. Simultaneously, Helen has a long, distinguished career as director and chair of boards contributing national and global networks and insights, is a winner of scholarships and a graduate of AICD, a Churchill Trust Fellow and a regular speaker at conferences and forums.

Helen’s qualifications include BA and Post-Grad Business from Monash Uni and certificates in Carbon Accounting and Sustainable Investing from Swinburne and Harvard respectively.