Maxine’s journey to Australian corporate leadership was sparked by a comment from a friend. Maxine was pointing out that Australians could not buy mobile phones in shopping centres, a friend said, “If you know so much about it, why don’t you do something about it?”  

So, Maxine opened a shop at the Gold Coast’s Pacific Fair shopping centre. Two decades later, that first Fone Zone shop has become Vita Group with more than 1,600 staff and annual revenue in excess of $700 million. 

Along the way, Maxine has been a wife, and a mother to two children – both of whom crawled the floors of her workplace as Maxine became a working mum. Maxine’s story is one of learning lessons: “I’ve made mistakes – some of them expensive – but falling down is part of life. Getting up is what life’s about.” 

And it all started in the UK, where Maxine was raised by grandparents and a father who made the most of their limited resources. They provided Maxine with life advice that still guides her today, reminding her to Think Smart, Run Hard.  

The self-made multi-millionaire was at one time Australia’s highest-paid female CEO. She has also been inducted into the Queensland Business Hall of Fame. Shark Tank Australia marks Maxine’s television debut. Her straight-shooting wisdom, wit and warmth are set to capture the attention of the nation, making her an early contender for the 2025 TV Week Logie Award for Best New Talent (at the tender age of 61). 

In 2021, following the sale of Vita and its subsidiaries, Maxine moved on from her role as Vita’s Chief Executive Officer & subsequent Non-Executive Director to pursue other activities continuing her own personal and professional growth. And now she’s ready to invest in new Australian businesses – she has the time, she has the energy, and she has the millions to give fellow sharks Robert, Jane, Davie and Nick a run for their money. 

2006 QBR Businesswoman of the Year, 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Northern Region), and Courier Mail Business Person of the Year in 2019.