About
Darren Challis is the Managing Director of Challis & Company. As a search consultant, Darren has worked on many successful assignments to find chairs, NEDs, CEOs, country managers and functional leaders across a range of industries. He has also led many Board reviews and management assessments.
Before founding Challis & Company, Darren worked as a consultant with DH International—founding and building a highly regarded, nine-person practice within two years—and Egon Zehnder.
Darren was born and grew up in Sydney. He worked through his high school and university studies as a technology journalist writing over 300 articles for mainstream magazines and newspapers. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Government & Public Administration) and Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from The University of Sydney, and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the University of Technology Sydney. On admission as a solicitor, he worked as a corporate and finance lawyer with MinterEllison.
Darren then undertook a full-time MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management (then a joint venture between UNSW Sydney & The University of Sydney), completed on exchange to the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He then worked as a Consultant and Project Leader at BCG, leading a number of strategy projects for Australian and global clients. Darren then joined Fairfax Media (now Nine [ASX:NEC]), initially as Director, Commercial Strategy and subsequently as Group Head, New Media Development. During his time at Fairfax Media, he led the company’s digital M&A process, leading to some well-regarded acquisitions including RSVP, Stayz & Trade Me; a number of commercial deals with Yahoo!; plus an investment in carsales.com. He also served on the Board of an ASX-listed investment.
Over the years, Darren has also served on a number of commercial and community boards. He has twice been elected to the University Council at UNSW Sydney, its governing body, where he also served on the University’s Finance Committee, Planning Committee and as a Governor of its Alumni Association. He is currently a NED on the Board of Hayes Theatre Co, a Sydney-based theatre company. He is a Graduate Member of the AICD.
Articles by Darren
-
Jews Don't Count: The thoughtless racism of the 'progressive' left
Jews Don't Count: The thoughtless racism of the 'progressive' left
By Darren Challis
Activity
-
Singing off after an amazing 8 year journey at Blackwoods. My time with Blackwoods has been very rewarding and I feel privileged to have had the…
Singing off after an amazing 8 year journey at Blackwoods. My time with Blackwoods has been very rewarding and I feel privileged to have had the…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
Very proud of my son, Jacob Leigh, whose venture launches today. Great to have a real entrepreneur in the house! Good luck, Jacob, to you and the…
Very proud of my son, Jacob Leigh, whose venture launches today. Great to have a real entrepreneur in the house! Good luck, Jacob, to you and the…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
It is with mixed emotions that I let you know I have resigned from my role at Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife to take up a new role very…
It is with mixed emotions that I let you know I have resigned from my role at Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife to take up a new role very…
Liked by Darren Challis
Experience
Education
-
-
Exchange from Australian Graduation School of Management
-
-
Activities and Societies: Elected Postgraduate Member, University Council; Member, University Council Planning Committee; Member, University Council Student Affairs Committee; Board Member, Student Guild; Board Member, Postgraduate Board
Full-time MBA degree jointly awarded by The University of New South Wales and The University of Sydney
-
- Present
-
-
Activities and Societies: Editor, Sydney Law Review
-
-
-
-
Publications
-
Leadership in Web 2.0 Companies: New Competencies in Hyper-Competitive Markets
Egon Zehnder: The Focus
See pages 86 to 88
-
Leadership 2.0: Lessons from Web 2.0 Companies
CEO Forum Group
Top executives at Web 2.0 firms have a special and unique set of competencies
-
Ejecting the Blank Tape Levy: Australian Tape Manufacturers Association Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia
Sydney Law Review
In its decision in Australian Tape Manufacturers Association Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia, the High Court ruled invalid the Federal Parliament's attempt to solve the problem of home-taping of sound recordings. The decision also highlighted the concept of a tax, and the operation of section 55 of the Commonwealth Constitution.
-
Hundreds of columns and articles
Australian Macworld
Contributed over 200 articles, including numerous feature stories and three flagship monthly columns, including "The Joy of Mac", "Game, Set & Mac" and "The Utilities Folder"
Languages
-
English
Native or bilingual proficiency
-
French
Elementary proficiency
-
German
Limited working proficiency
-
Pig Latin
Full professional proficiency
-
Yiddish
Elementary proficiency
Organizations
-
Australian Institute of Company Directors
GAICD (Graduate Member)
- Present -
High Court of Australia
Admitted as a Solicitor
- Present -
Supreme Court of New South Wales
Admitted as a Legal Practitioner
- Present
Recommendations received
24 people have recommended Darren
Join now to viewMore activity by Darren
-
My Woolies Story (abbreviated), Sept 2024 I never meant to join Woolworths and in many ways I am the “accidental CEO”. However, with the benefit of…
My Woolies Story (abbreviated), Sept 2024 I never meant to join Woolworths and in many ways I am the “accidental CEO”. However, with the benefit of…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
Excited to receive this wonderful honour!
Excited to receive this wonderful honour!
Liked by Darren Challis
-
It was wonderful to attend the AHRI National Convention last week. The speakers were outstanding and while proposing different strategies, there was…
It was wonderful to attend the AHRI National Convention last week. The speakers were outstanding and while proposing different strategies, there was…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
More than 42 years after I missed my first graduation ceremony I’m proud to have managed to make my second, in graduating from UNSW with a Master of…
More than 42 years after I missed my first graduation ceremony I’m proud to have managed to make my second, in graduating from UNSW with a Master of…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
Can't miss an opportunity to become a part of Sydney history!!
Can't miss an opportunity to become a part of Sydney history!!
Liked by Darren Challis
-
Big heart feels to be saying goodbye to our friend Mitchell Butel, but with huge congratulations and well wishes for a super exciting new adventure…
Big heart feels to be saying goodbye to our friend Mitchell Butel, but with huge congratulations and well wishes for a super exciting new adventure…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
Announcing our new Artistic Director, Mitchell Butel We’re thrilled to announce that Sydney Theatre Company has appointed award-winning actor…
Announcing our new Artistic Director, Mitchell Butel We’re thrilled to announce that Sydney Theatre Company has appointed award-winning actor…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
Delighted to be joining Mills Oakley with my fellow colleagues: Chloe Kennedy, Sophie Evans and Hoda Nahlous. I join as Special Counsel in the…
Delighted to be joining Mills Oakley with my fellow colleagues: Chloe Kennedy, Sophie Evans and Hoda Nahlous. I join as Special Counsel in the…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
The number of ASX300 board directors from culturally diverse backgrounds is still stuck at about 9%. Together we can do better. To all those…
The number of ASX300 board directors from culturally diverse backgrounds is still stuck at about 9%. Together we can do better. To all those…
Liked by Darren Challis
-
What an extraordinary first week in Paris! To all the athletes bringing home medals, to those who have delivered their best for themselves and their…
What an extraordinary first week in Paris! To all the athletes bringing home medals, to those who have delivered their best for themselves and their…
Liked by Darren Challis
Other similar profiles
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named Darren Challis
10 others named Darren Challis are on LinkedIn
See others named Darren Challis