Our Team
Anthony Wilkes
CEO
Anthony is a visionary, values-led CEO with 30 years’ experience building and scaling agribusiness and processing enterprises across FMCG, wine, pastoral and agricultural value chains. Anthony has worked in CEO roles for TBG Agri Holdings, Howard Park/Madfish Wines, Ferngrove Wines, and started his working career at Heytesbury Pastoral Company.
He has led greenfield developments, driven processing scale, opened new markets and strengthened brands while maintaining a clear focus on provenance and outcomes for staff and stakeholders.
He holds a Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) with First Class Honours from Curtin University and was named a WA 40 Under 40 Business Leader.
Anthony is the current independent chairman of the Northern Drought Hub, a Federal Government initiated climate & drought resilience organisation. He was previously a board member on the Western Australia Food Industry Association, The Winemakers Federation of Australia and Wines of Western Australia Vice President.
Benjamin Wilson
DIRECTOR
Ben’s family are pioneers of sustainable Indian sandalwood industry in Australia. They own and operate Indian sandalwood farms across the far north of the continent.
Ben has more than ten years’ professional experience spanning agribusiness, natural capital, investment banking, and funds management. At Copperhead, Ben is responsible for corporate development and primary engagement with capital markets associated with forestry and natural capital sectors.
Michael Loughnan
DIRECTOR
Mike is currently the CFO for a Private Investment Office with interests covering Energy, Resources and Real Estate.
Mike commenced his career at KPMG, and during his six-year tenure became a leading tax consultant in the energy and natural resources space, with a particular focus on Chinese and Japanese national corporations. In 2014, Michael joined brother Daniel as a director of accounting and advisory firm Danpalo Group, servicing both listed and unlisted entities.
Mike has played a key role in driving the growth of the Copperhead and Heartwood businesses.
Frank Wilson
FOUNDER
Frank is one of the pioneering founders of the Indian sandalwood plantation industry in Australia. The fourth generation in his family to work in Australian forestry, Frank’s involvement and experience in the industry goes back to the very first commercial plantings in Kununurra in the 1990s.
Samudra Sarubin
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Having grown up in Northern Australia, Samudra is right at home in our Indian sandalwood plantations. A Licensed Surveyor with a background in farming, mining, and construction – whether it’s from the boardroom, factory or plantation – Samudra keeps Copperhead running like a well-oiled machine.
Giang Ho
BUSINESS SUPPORT MANAGER
Giang is the operational engine that keeps Copperhead Sandalwood running smoothly. With a unique blend of technical precision and proactive energy, he bridges the gap between complex backend systems and day-to-day business needs.
Giang is a highly active and technical member of the team who thrives on problem-solving. Whether he is optimizing workflows, managing critical data, or supporting our boots-on-the-ground operations, Giang ensures our infrastructure is as resilient as the sandalwood we produce.
Providing the rock-solid support framework expert at streamlining business processes through technical integration. Known for his hands-on approach and relentless drive to improve team efficiency.
Alex Wilson
HEAD OF RETAIL
Alex is the Founder and Director of Heartwood, Copperhead’s retail arm.
Alex developed a fascination with sandalwood at an early age and founded Heartwood in 2019. She wanted to capture and share what ancient cultures had known for millennia about the powerful healing properties of Indian sandalwood.
Inspired by its legacy in beauty, worship and Eastern medicine, Alex’s line of wellbeing products and award winning retail spaces bring the benefits of sandalwood to life.
Kristy Pender
SALES MANAGER – EUROPE, USA, JAPAN & INDIA
Bringing to the Copperhead team an intimate knowledge of the beauty and fragrance industries, Kristy understands the bespoke requirements of each and every client. Having previously worked for over ten years as the Education Manager for Mecca’s Brands, you can be rest assured that Kristy can bring the beauty of Indian sandalwood to life within your products.
Najim Saide
SALES MANAGER – MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA & SOUTH EAST ASIA
With 30 years of experience in the sale of luxury goods from all over the world, Najim understands how to sate expensive tastes, from beauty and fragrance to worship. A fluent Arabic speaker, Najim brings to the Copperhead team an intimate cultural and business knowledge of the Middle Eastern Market.