Our Staff
CEO
Ritchie Hinton
Originally a qualified lawyer in his native UK, Ritchie has resided in Victoria since 2005. He has worked in both the commercial and not-for-profit (NFP) sectors, holding several CEO roles with Victorian NFP member-based associations.
An experienced governance professional, Ritchie’s strengths include a disciplined and innovative approach to strategic planning and execution. Ritchie is currently the Chair and a Non-Executive Director of Vicsport, Victoria’s peak umbrella body for sport and recreation organizations.
Outside work, Ritchie enjoys watching his children play sport, exploring Victoria’s High Country, indulging in Melbourne’s foodie culture, and looking after his garden (of course!).
Events Officer
Bianca Debono
Bianca takes immense pride in curating impactful events that not only bring Members together but also contribute significantly to their professional growth. With a passion for fostering meaningful connections, Bianca specializes in designing experiences that provide ample networking opportunities for LVML Members to connect with fellow professionals and expand their businesses.
Collaborating closely with valued partners, Bianca leverages extensive experience in event management to create enriching and memorable experiences for our Members. Having joined LVML with a wealth of knowledge in crafting successful and meaningful events, Bianca is excited about the prospect of shaping even more valuable experiences, continuing to elevate the community and leave a lasting impact in the landscaping industry.
Membership Officer
Brian Rankin
A self-described 'recovering landscaper', with 40+ years in our industry. Having run a landscape construction and maintenance business for nearly 30 years and employing up to 20 people, Brian is aware of the highs and lows of running a business.
Brian's years with Landscaping Victoria gave him access to colleagues to share knowledge with and his time on the board broadened his vision and skills, and allowed him to help influence the direction of LV and the broader industry. When not keeping busy with our members, Brian loves travel, cooking, matching his cooking with wine and setting PB's for mowing his lawns. He also sculpts timber as a release from all of the above.
CFO
Colleen Stromei
Colleen has had the privilege of steering the finances at LVML since 2005. It's a diverse role encompassing financial controls and budget oversight, supporting the CEO in realising strategic objectives and providing financial commentary to the board members.
Beyond the world of finance, Colleen has always had a soft spot for musical theatre. If she had a parallel life, she'd probably be a costume or set designer. Contrary to popular belief, both these passions share an affinity for precision, storytelling and creative problem-solving.
Marketing & Communications Officer
Lauren Bianchi
Lauren is a passionate storyteller and marketer. With over 15 years of experience across diverse industries like travel, hospitality, arts, residential building, and publishing, she brings an eclectic blend of creative expertise to Landscaping Victoria.
Lauren's speciality is connecting with people through compelling storytelling and customer-centric marketing strategies. She's dedicated to making a positive impact on our Members, and in helping them make a positive impact on the world.
A firm believer that "your vibe attracts your tribe," Lauren embraces living life to the fullest by doing more of what brings happiness. And she's thrilled to combine her passion for marketing and communications with her love of gardening.
When she's not strategising marketing campaigns, you'll find Lauren at the beach with her family, pottering in her garden, writing, sewing, or cooking.
Administration Officer
Carolyn Tanner
With two decades of experience across hospitality, customer service, teaching, and construction, Carolyn loves bringing a mix of skills to her role at Landscaping Victoria.
She aims to understand what makes people happy and create meaningful experiences for our members by learning their needs and preferences.
When Carolyn is not at work, you'll find her outdoors, enjoying adventures with her family or cheering at her family cricket club. Carolyn is passionate about cooking and believes nothing beats gathering everyone around the table for a good meal. Community is important to Carolyn, and she's always looking for ways to stay connected and give back.
