Plenary Speakers
Dr Ian Dagley, FTSE, FRACI, MAICD
Dr Ian Dagley is the Chief Executive Officer of the recently funded Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre (SPW CRC). Prior to this appointment he was Chief of the Science Partnerships and Engagement Division of the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST), and had been the CEO of the CRC for Polymers for 21 years.
Ian has a PhD from the University of Melbourne, an MBA from RMIT, and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).
Matthew Snell
Group Manager-Circular Economy, South East Water
Matt leads South East Water’s Circular Economy group, driving the organisation’s strategy to create a more sustainable and resilient water future. He is responsible for future-focused planning and delivery of assets across South East Water’s Water Recycling Plants, with a clear mandate to embed circular economy principles into infrastructure and operations. His work focuses on reducing carbon emissions, maximising alternative water use, advancing resource recovery, and developing viable long-term solutions that close the loop on waste.
Since joining South East Water in 2017, Matt has held a number of leadership roles. As part of the senior leadership team, he oversees a significant portfolio of treatment and resource recovery projects, accelerating the transition toward net zero emissions while ensuring reliable water services for a growing population in a changing climate.
Before South East Water, Matt worked as an engineer on some of Melbourne’s most significant infrastructure projects, including the Regional Rail Link and the $400 million upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant. This experience shaped his expertise in delivering large-scale, complex infrastructure with long-term community and environmental benefits.
Passionate about the future of the water sector, Matt is committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers and building meaningful career pathways in circular economy and water innovation. He is also a strong advocate for creating safe, diverse and inclusive workplaces where people are supported to thrive and contribute to sustainable outcomes.
Dr Sean O’Malley
Circular Economy Manager, Coles
Dr Sean O’Malley is a behavioural ecologist by training but has spent most of his early working life as a research and development manager in a range of fast-moving consumer goods companies in local and international roles. Following these roles Sean joined Planet Ark working across many areas of sustainability including waste, packaging, forestry, carbon and the Circular Economy with a focus on its measurement. Achievements whilst at Planet Ark include the creation of the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), working on a critical paper on PFAS presence in packaging and a participating in the creation of a range of certification standards.
After a short period of consulting and working in the plant-based protein industry Sean joined Coles in 2023 as the Circular Economy Manager within the central sustainability team. The role encompasses a range of activities linked to the Circular Economy and Product Stewardship including working on food waste, in store used battery collection, the various container deposit schemes and working to resolve the challenge of soft plastic collection and recycling. Sean is a graduate of the CIRCO Circular Economy training programme.