The people at Ornatas drive change and focus on the future.
Ornatas is led by a team driven by building a sustainable future for seafood. We are dedicated to doing this, whilst creating real opportunities in global communities, and taking care of our environment.
Collectively the skilled team offer a wealth of enthusiasm and experience in science and innovation, a deep knowledge and understanding of the ocean environment and aquaculture systems, as well as financial, strategic and creative thinking to drive the company forward.


Executive Director
Martin Rees
Until 2015, Martin was a partner in KPMG Tasmania for 25 years specialising in corporate finance and commercialisation of new technologies. He was responsible for the establishment of In-tellinc, a Hobart based IT incubator/seed investor which over the past 15 years has invested in over 40 start-up companies generating a number of national and global successes.
Martin has been a founding Director of a number of these ventures and brings these skills to Ornatas. He is also a Director of Foundry Pty. Ltd, TasmaNet Pty. Ltd, St. Lukes Health Ltd and Pets Domain Ltd. Martin and his family own and operate a vineyard and wine business in Relbia and he is currently Chair of Wine Tasmania.


Director
Brian Kohl
Brian is the shareholder represenative on the Board. He is a born and bred Tasmanian with a long history in community and environmental areas of work. He has an Economics degree from the University of Tasmania, and has worked in all levels of Government before moving to private industry. He is currently a shareholder and Director of a number of Tasmanian companies and spends much of his time sailing throughout the South East Asian region.
Brian’ s professional career has included roles of Senior Economic Advisor to both the Labour and Greens parties. Brian is currently the Director and CEO of one of Tasmania’s largest private equity hedge funds.


Director
Peta Sugden
Peta holds a senior role in the Tasmanian State Service where her primary focus is to enable investment into Tasmania through investment matching. Peta’s State Government Experience includes investment attraction and facilitation and food and agri-business development. Peta has also held Ministerial Office roles including as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff with the former Government.
Peta’s private sector experience includes senior management positions within the Tasmanian poppy industry and a global inspection where she held qualifications as a Senior Lead Auditor, specialising in quality assurance auditing in the food industry and undertook food safety training nationally and globally.
Strength in partnerships
Research Partners




Commercial Partners







