Stone & Chalk CEO to leave next week

Stone & Chalk Group CEO Alex Scandurra has announced his plans to leave the organisation, effective 19 August 2021. As Stone & Chalk’s first CEO, Scandurra has led the organisation since its inception in 2015 as a fintech co-working hub in Sydney to its present position as a national commercialisation and innovation network serving the critical and emerging technology industries. The Board is undertaking a search for the next CEO and considering a strong field of internal and external candidates. Richard Umbers, one of Stone & Chalk Group’s Non-Executive Directors, will act as Interim CEO during this phase. Umbers is a highly credentialed executive, having held a number of senior positions internationally and in Australia, including CEO roles at Myer and StarTrack.

Stone & Chalk Group has evolved from a single hub in Sydney with 100 residents to a leading Impact Network with nearly 1000 residents across all emerging technology sectors, working from flagship Innovation Hubs in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and those in AustCyber’s National Network of Cyber Security Innovation Nodes. Stone & Chalk Group Board Chair, Leona Murphy, thanked Scandurra for his passionate leadership of the organisation over the past six and a half years.

“The board of Stone & Chalk wishes Alex every success in his endeavours. He should be proud of the legacy he has created. Alex was instrumental in the Stone & Chalk merger with AustCyber, the Australian Government-funded cybersecurity Industry Growth Centre, which plays a key role in the expansion of Stone & Chalk Group's capability beyond fintech to all emerging technologies,” Murphy said.

Outgoing CEO Alex Scandurra added that he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the Australian emerging and critical technology ecosystems during his time at Stone & Chalk Group. Scandurra noted that Stone & Chalk Group residents and alumni have raised over half a billion dollars in capital, matched hundreds of founders with mentors and customers, helped more than 30 corporate partners transform and digitise, and contributed to vital government policy supporting Australia’s critical and emerging technology industries through advocacy.

“I am incredibly proud of the organisation we have built and the milestones we have accomplished since 2015. This year, we merged with AustCyber to create the preeminent organisation supporting founders of emerging and critical technology companies nationwide. I have been privileged to play a role in building the infrastructure to support the new economy in Australia. I look forward to pursuing the opportunities that this has created as an advisor, investor and leader in the Australian emerging technology sector,” Scandurra said.

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