Executive Leadership Team

Find out more about the Executive Leadership Team at the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).

Martin Mercer, Chief Executive Officer

For the decade up to 2020, Martin was the CEO and MD of two high-growth businesses. More recently, he was the CEO of a start-up disrupting the legal practice management industry. He has successfully led a disruptive challenger brand during its scale-up phase, an incumbent internet services business through a turnaround and ultimate transformation into a leading digital services business, and a start-up taking an innovative SaaS platform to market.

In addition to a dozen years of CEO experience, Martin has enjoyed senior leadership roles in functional areas including sales, marketing, product management, channel management, business development, and strategy and planning. This experience was acquired in both B2B and B2C contexts.

Martin is responsible for the performance of Scentia and its operating businesses.

Jess Houston, Executive Director, AIM VET

Jess Houston, CPA, has over 10 years of experience in senior finance and operations roles spanning the private education, manufacturing and financial services sectors. Having worked across consultancy, start-ups and established businesses, Jess now brings her leadership skills to AIM and is responsible for the strategic direction of the course portfolio and student experience at AIM VET and oversees the implementation of these strategies.

Warren Creighton, Chief Financial Officer

Warren Creighton has spent over 13 years in senior roles in finance in the private education sector. He oversees all financial matters, including compliance with corporate and accounting standards and TEQSA and ASQA standards. He oversees the development of budgets for Scentia and its entities, including AIM.

Steven Smith, Executive Director, AIM Future Skills and Chief Technology Officer

Steven Smith has over 20 years of experience in product management and marketing roles, the last 3+ in the private education sector. He is responsible for providing strategic direction of the course portfolio and student experience at AIM and oversees the implementation of these strategies.

Trenton Barnier, Chief Marketing Officer

Trenton Barnier has a master’s degree in marketing and 10 years of experience working in marketing, including experiential, B2C, B2B, analysis, and advisory. He leads the marketing function of Scentia and its entities, including AIM.

Liz Douglas, Head of People and Culture

Liz Douglas has over 14 years of experience across Australia and internationally in human resources and operations in the corporate sector. She leads the HR function of Scentia and AIM with the responsibility of building high-performing teams and staff wellbeing.

Samantha Turley, Chief Sales Officer

Sam Turley has over eight years of experience selling and leading teams within the technology and professional services industries. She leads the thriving and passionate sales teams across AIM and AIM Business School.