Self Confessed Challenger, Maxine Horne – CEO of Vita Group – on Being a Shadow Leader and Why it Pays to put People First.
I was particularly excited to feature Maxine Horne on the Arete Podcast. Maxine’s story is both fascinating and inspiring, one that sees her relocate from the UK to Australia and grow a single retail store into Australia’s largest technology business.
Maxine is the founder and CEO of the publicly listed Vita Group, which boasts over 1600 staff and an annual revenue in excess of $600 million. In a pioneering move, in 1995, Maxine established Fone Zone on the Gold Coast, one of Australia’s first mobile retailers. After its 2005 ASX listing, Vita Group became one of the fastest-growing companies in Australia and was ranked in BRW’s Fast 100 over four consecutive years.
Maxine’s story is one of tenacity and ambition. A self confessed challenger, Maxine was eager to break from the confines of traditional schooling and with no formal tertiary qualifications soon found her niche in the thriving and fast-moving telecommunications industry. Maxine was raised by her grandparents, whose blue collar values still ring true in Maxine’s people-focused, hands on approach to leadership and company culture.
Maxine is the recipient of numerous awards including 2014 EY Entrepreneur of the Year (northern region), 2006 QBR Businesswoman of the Year, and Supreme Retailer of the Year in Innovation in Retail and Training.
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