Chief Executive Officer

The Organisation

The Diggers Club, established in 1978 by Penny and Clive Blazey AM, began as a commercial venture dedicated to providing gardeners with all their gardening needs. Central to the founders’ vision was the preservation of heirloom seeds in Australia, a mission that has remained at the core of the organisation’s efforts for over four decades.

After more than 40 successful years, the Blazey family, including their three children—Jolyon, Tessa, and Matilda—entrusted The Diggers Club to The Diggers Foundation. Established in 2011, The Diggers Foundation aims to inspire and educate gardeners in creating beautiful, productive, and sustainable gardens. As Clive Blazey AM stated, “Through education and understanding, we can reverse the generational damage done to our environment. But if we don’t act quickly, we risk irreparable damage to the planet’s climate.”

Today, all profits from The Diggers Club support the Foundation’s mission. The Club boasts approximately 80,000 members who enjoy exclusive access to rare products, heirloom seeds, a seasonal magazine, free entry to The Diggers Club gardens, and a wealth of educational resources, including a comprehensive library, personalised advice from qualified horticulturists, and more.

The brief

With the recent decision of Tim Sansom, the inaugural CEO of The Diggers Foundation, to step down after 17.5 years of dedicated service to the broader business, the Foundation is poised for a new chapter in its evolution. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the organisation as it continues its commitment to preserving historic buildings, gardens, heirloom seeds, and plant varieties for future generations.

To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Board Member Lisa Remato engaged Brooker Consulting  to conduct a confidential executive search and selection process. Our mandate was to identify and appoint an outstanding Chief Executive Officer who will lead The Diggers Foundation into this exciting new phase.

The process

Brooker Consulting was delighted to partner with the highly skilled volunteer Board to attract and engage an authentic and strategic Chief Executive Officer.

The campaign commenced with a comprehensive, multifaceted executive search strategy. Considerable interest was generated in the position due to the high value brand recognition afforded to The Diggers Club.

The outcome

A rigorous panel interview process ensued that consisted of multiple rounds of strategic questioning, presentations and stakeholder interactions, followed by extensive reference checking. The Board were thrilled to announce Fiona Forbes’ appointment as the Chief Executive Officer.

Fiona brings over 30 years of experience in public relations, communications, fundraising, marketing, customer experience, and change management across various sectors including tourism, health, transport, education, energy, and property. She has successfully held leadership roles across corporate, public, and non-profit organisations, demonstrating exceptional skills in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and delivering successful business outcomes.