Ask the Expert

Arriving from Edinburgh Scotland at age 28 with just a backpack on your back is not the usual route into the Australian Window Furnishings Industry, but Kathryn Polgar has carved out a career that finds her now as General Manager for one of the leading wholesale suppliers in the industry, Ricky Richards. In this edition of Window Furnishings Australia’s Ask the Expert Series, Tony Cassar talks to Kathryn about leadership, managing in a pandemic, and the role women can play as leaders in the industry.

From an apprentice printer to head of one of the largest blind fabricators in Australia, Geoff Turner from Viewscape reflects on leadership, manufacturing in Australia and the dangers of being a middle-aged man in Lycra.

Video conferencing and working from home may have been the new normal for most in this industry, but not Kate Bessell. Working remotely for Adelaide wholesale fabricator Pinz from the south coast of NSW was the norm for Kate until March 2020 when she moved back to Adelaide in the midst of a pandemic. After 11 years of remote working, lockdowns couldn’t get in the way of her passion and she is now back in the office every day and loving it. Tony Cassar finds out more about Kate in this edition of Ask the Expert.

Tony Cassar interviews Andrew Lebeter, National Wholesale Manager, Skins2Go about dealing with COVID-19, his passion for business and golf, and more. 

In the latest instalment of WFA’s Ask the Expert Series, Tony Cassar chats to Norman Australia’s Marketing Manager Steve Payne about mentors, leading a team in a pandemic, motorbike riding for a living, and having the courage of your convictions.

In a COVID-19 safe Ask The Expert, Tony Cassar spoke via video link to Jim Terrell, General Manager, Australasia Interiors and Homewares at Charles Parsons, about his time in the industry, marlin fishing, growing up as a ‘barrow boy’ in London’s East End and what the future holds for business.

As President of the Blind Manufacturers' Association of Australia (along with his highly regarded position as the previous Director of Image Blinds), Joe Turner proved the ideal candidate for a special 'Ask the expert' interview during Super Expo 2019. Here, his friend and industry colleague, Victory Curtains and Blinds' Tony Cassar, quizzes Joe about his early days at Luxaflex, his rise through the industry he has helped to grow, and his personal interests and passions.

As she prepares for a new chapter in a diverse and stimulating career, Jenny Brown, National Marketing Manager at Hunter Douglas, shares her unique expertise, insights, professional milestones and passions with Victory Blinds’ Tony Cassar.

Decor Blinds Director Frank Cairns talks to Victory Blinds Managing Director Tony Cassar about the changes he's witnessed over three and a half decades in the industry and the art of keeping a work life balance.