From 1 February 2025, the board of directors of Stone Initiatives is comprised of Thomas Baggs, Mark Milevski and Kate Tonkin. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and together they are committed to upholding the company’s high standards and client-focused approach to physical testing, analysis and problem-solving.
Thomas, Mark and Kate have been with Stone Initiatives for many years, and the majority of our clients will have already worked closely with them. They each lead an existing specialist area within the company, complementing our standard suite of physical testing and analysis.
Thomas is a geomaterials scientist who leads petrographic and mineralogical analyses at Stone Initiatives, as well as the evaluation of stone surface finishes to ensure fitness for use in high-end commercial projects.
Mark is a geomaterials scientist who leads the company’s Heritage Services department. He has a special interest in heritage materials testing and conservation, and providing tailored solutions to unique heritage challenges.
Kate oversees the Surface Finishes Evaluation department, encompassing slip-resistance, accelerated wear, stain-resistance and sealer selection, evaluating stone finishes used in high-end commercial projects throughout Australia. Kate also has a special interest in the testing and evaluation of sports court surfaces.
Having worked closely with founder and director Jim Mann as integral members of our team for many years, Thomas, Mark and Kate have a deep understanding of the industry and client needs.
Jim Mann’s retirement
With the company in good hands, Jim made the decision to retire at the end of January 2025. Since founding the company 21 years ago, Jim has been a driving force behind our success, guiding us to become a trusted partner in the stone testing industry, both in Australia and internationally.
The Stone Initiatives team is incredibly grateful to Jim for his expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to quality, which have shaped Stone Initiatives into what it is today. His vision and dedication have been the foundation of our growth and success over the past two decades.
We look forward to this next chapter knowing that our new leadership team will continue to deliver the high-quality service and industry-leading expertise you have come to expect from us.
On behalf of the entire team, we thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or would like to discuss an upcoming project, please do not hesitate to reach out.