Leadership Team

Pejman joined G8 Education as CEO and Managing Director in January 2023.

Prior to joining the Group, Pejman has held senior leadership positions across a number of well-known retail organisations in Australia and internationally, including as the Managing Director of BIG W, Chief Executive Officer of NZX-listed retailer The Warehouse and as a senior leader at UK retailers Marks and Spencer, Sainsburys and ASDA/Walmart. He has extensive experience in leading large teams within geographically dispersed networks, with a strong focus on customer service, business transformation and delivering value for all stakeholders.

Pejman is committed to continuing G8 Education’s purpose-led approach to delivering meaningful societal impact through quality early childhood education delivered through a passionate and capable team of educators, teachers and support team.

He holds a BA Hons in Business Studies from Leeds Business School, with further executive education at Babson College (USA) and INSEAD (Singapore).

Sharyn Williams joined G8 Education in February 2017 in the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Sharyn has broad experience in finance and leadership roles with over a decade of ASX-listed experience as CFO and Company Secretary across a number of industry sectors including automotive, education, electrical, wholesale and manufacturing.

Sharyn holds an MBA, Bachelor degrees in Business and Education and is a Fellow CPA and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Shane joined G8 Education in September 2023 as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). He has significant experience working in executive roles within the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, both in Australia and New Zealand.

He has a passion for innovation with a focus on ‘best in business’ service delivery and a proven ability to build strong and capable teams, with his most recent notable role in the ECEC sector as COO of the largest privately operated provider of childcare services within Australia. In addition to Shane’s roles in Early Childhood Education, he has also held executive positions in hospitality and ASX listed healthcare organisations.

Shane holds a Bachelor of Business Management (Accountancy) as well as several executive professional certifications.

Josie King joined G8 Education in August 2024 in the role of Chief Legal, Quality and Risk Officer, and Company Secretary.

Josie has more than 25 years’ experience in executive leadership, general counsel, company secretarial, corporate governance, risk management and compliance roles across a variety of sectors including financial services, resources, transport and retail. Josie’s experience includes mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, enterprise risk management and insurance.

Josie holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance. Ms King is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and the Governance Institute of Australia and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Order of Merit).

As an experienced People and Culture Leader, Linda Carroll joined G8 Education in June 2024 bringing sector experience and expertise to the organisation. With more than a decade of executive experience in the early childhood education and care sector, Linda has honed her skills in building and managing high-performing teams across diverse networks.

She is committed to driving organisational performance through enhanced people capability, which reflects her deep-seated belief in the power of human capital.

Linda has been awarded an MBA (Human Resource Management), Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety and in Training and Assessment.

Calvin is an accomplished Chief Information Officer with over 15 years of technology leadership experience in ASX-listed companies across various industries.

Calvin’s passion lies in delivering value and delightful experiences through technology. He is dedicated to leading and empowering talented teams to create technology solutions that enhance experiences and outcomes for G8 Education’s children and families. With his visionary approach, Calvin aims to drive innovation and establish G8 Education as a leader in the education industry. He holds a degree in Information Technology with an extended major in Information Systems and has acquired multiple post-degree technology and executive certifications.

Ali joined G8 Education in February 2022 as the Head of Early Learning and Education. She has worked in education for more than 30 years in roles that have focused on quality teaching and learning, leadership and mentoring, curriculum development, community partnerships, research, inclusion and wellbeing.

Ali has held senior roles across large early learning providers as well as roles in the tertiary sector. More recently she has held positions developing, leading and embedding strategic programs focussing on education, quality, reconciliation, inclusion and wellbeing.

Ali holds a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy and Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care. In 2023 she was nominated to a National Board position on Early Childhood Australia as well as being a member of the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership Leadership Table.

John joined G8 Education in August 2020 bringing his strategy development and mergers and acquisitions expertise to the business. With extensive cross sector experience advising, and working within, publicly listed, mutual and private organisations across the education, financial services and retail sectors, John has facilitated organic and inorganic growth strategies to scale organisations and build business resilience.

John holds Master of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Commerce degrees, is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has several other professional certifications.