Management Team

GAVIN SCHOLES, CEO 1300 AUSTRALIA

Gavin Scholes is the CEO and sole founder of 1300 AUSTRALIA. Gavin has created a footprint for the future of advertising and marketing by revolutionising the way businesses receive calls from customers in Australia. Gavin is passionate about the success businesses can achieve when actively promoting a 'PhoneWord'.

Gavin's career encompasses an extensive background in Sales & Marketing with nearly 30 years experience. Gavin started off his career with the largest office products supplier in Australia. Gavin's dedication and ambition led him from Storeman to National Sales and Marketing Director in just a few years The role took Gavin nationally and globally including extensive periods in the USA.

Gavin had a keen eye for business growth and plenty of enthusiasm. Whilst overseas, Gavin researched the international success of the 'PhoneWord'. Gavin calls it the 'PhoneWord phenomenon.'Gavin believed that PhoneWords would benefit both enterprises and consumers because words are so much easier to remember than numbers.

Gavin had a dream to pioneer the 'PhoneWord' industry in Australia. After researching the establishment of 'PhoneWords' Gavin discovered that there was a problem with the keypads on Australian phones. There were so many different versions making this establishment impossible. Gavin feverishly lobbied the Federal Government to change the regulations. Eventually keypads were standardised paving the way.

In 1997 the entrepreneur Gavin, establishing a "Phonewords" business putting his dream into fruition. This success led to establishment in 2004 of the company "1300 Australia" ,a joint venture with the Telstra Corporation. Under Gavin's leadership and guidance the company has grown from a team of three to thirty nationally. Today the company is 85% owned by the Telstra Corporation

1300 Australia is the largest specialist PhoneWord provider in Australia and research indicates that the company owns the best available stock of PhoneWords for industries and enterprises. In global terms, 1300 Australia is the most progressive PhoneWord business in the industry. It is estimated that the industry value will reach $1billion within the next five years.

Mark Fotheringham
General Manager 1300 Australia.

Mark was born and bred locally in Essendon making him a long time Bombers supporter. Mark was also a talented footballer kicking over 950 goals whilst playing for Williamstown in the VFA and being selected for Team of the Century at two football clubs.

Mark completed his education with a Bachelor of Business Administration at RMIT.
He spent the early years of his employment at Melbourne Water having roles with in Human Resource Management, Administration, Finance and promoted to General Manager Customer Service.

Mark’s career led him to General Manager of a sporting club and over 10 years in Commercial Management roles in the building industry before joining 1300 Australia.

Mark has been with 1300 Australia for over a year; he brings with him not only a wealth of knowledge in his managerial skills but the goal of making 1300 Australia the pre-eminent Phoneword Company.

Allen Field
National Sales Manager 1300 Australia.

Allen was born in Forbes NSW and educated in Sydney where he has spent all his life.

Previously Allen has spent over 35 years in Sales and Senior Management predominately in the office products industry. During this time Allen successfully managed his own manufacturing and importing business for twenty-three years.

Allen is 1300 Australia’s National Sales Manager; Allen is responsible and oversees the 10 Sales Representatives for 1300 Australia.

Allen has been with 1300 Australia for 1 year; he brings with him his expertise and guidance in the area of Sales to our team.

Debbie Cuffe
Financial Controller 1300 Australia.

Debbie was born in the Mallee country town of Swan Hill, the family moved to Pascoe Vale where Debbie started her education. Debbie furthered her education by completing a Bachelor of Business in Accounting at RMIT.

Debbie was a loyal employee for over 20 years with Kanga Batman Tafe. Debbie started her career in Student Services department and promotions led her to Payroll Officer and Accountant, before becoming the Finance Manager.

Debbie is the Financial Controller at 1300 Australia and has been with the company for 2 years. Debbie brings her wealth and knowledge gained in the business and finance sector and oversees the budgets and expenditure of the company.