Jim Mann, founder of Stone Initiatives and one of Australasia’s foremost experts in stone, has made the decision to retire. Since 2003 Jim has been a driving force behind the company’s success, sharing his unique technical knowledge and experience with the industry, and instilling an unwavering commitment to quality and client-focused service in his team.
Jim’s leadership has supported the growth of three key staff – Thomas Baggs, Mark Milevski and Kate Tonkin – who step into the role of co-directors from 1 February 2025.
“The past two decades have been at times challenging, but also inspiring and hugely rewarding – with the development of a team of experts who have a deep understanding of the industry and client needs,” says Jim.
“Guiding this next generation of stone and materials testing specialists has been immensely gratifying and I am excited for the future of the company and the industry.”
Long-time client Alberto Evangelista, Project Manager at Deemah Stone, said Jim’s insights on test results and stone properties had been invaluable.
“Jim’s professionalism and expertise have contributed immensely to the success of our various projects,” he said.
“We are truly grateful for his exceptional contributions and wish him all the best on his retirement.”
Jim’s career started in geophysical and geochemical survey work for BHP Exploration, and then in materials testing in the 1980s for Amdel Ltd, which, before privatisation, was the research and development branch of the South Australian Mines Department. He set up Stone Initiatives in the Adelaide Hills in 2003.
“Stone testing is more than just crushing rocks – it’s important that you impart to the client what the results mean and what effect it has on the stone’s fitness for use,” says Jim.
“There was a gap in the industry in this area, and I felt compelled to fill it. My aim was to build a one-stop shop for people involved with stone, all the way from the quarry to commercial and heritage projects.”
The company’s first major project was Deutsche Bank Place in Sydney for LendLease. Over the following two decades, Jim worked around Australia and internationally on diverse projects, specialising in (but not limited to) the forensic examination of stone material failures for both heritage and new buildings.
Some highlights from a long list of projects across the spectrum of Stone Initiatives’ work include the Sydney Opera House forecourt, Qantas First Class lounges (Sydney, Hong Kong), Wynyard Walk (Sydney), Australian National Peacekeeping Memorial (Canberra), Parliament of Victoria (Melbourne), Australian Memorial (Wellington, NZ), Centennial Tower and Orchard Building (Singapore), AIRA Residences (Kuala Lumpur), Taipei 101 (Taiwan), and Australian High Commission (Nairobi). Among Jim’s clients there have been architects, engineers, project managers, heritage specialists, stone producers, importers, installers, government bodies and end users.
Mentoring his staff and building a team of experts has been a significant focus for Jim – allowing him to be confident that the company he built from the ground up will continue in qualified hands. Jim’s hallmark qualities of flexibility, a keen interest to learn and solve problems, and an understanding that Stone Initiatives is a client-centred company are unmistakable in his team.
“Jim has had a truly profound impact on the stone industry and leaves behind big boots to fill. His generous spirit and commitment to mentoring his employees has shaped not just our careers, but also our lives, and we thank him for that,” said Scientific Officer Thomas Baggs, on behalf of the Stone Initiatives team.
“He has never hesitated to invest his time and energy in teaching us, passing on his expert knowledge and sharing general wisdom and insights on a variety of topics. We are committed to continuing this spirit of knowledge-sharing and client-focused practice at Stone Initiatives.”
Jim’s contribution to the industry extends beyond his testing, analysis and consulting work. Throughout his career, Jim has been an active member of the ASTM Standards Committee C18, which develops and maintains dimension stone standards and specifications, as well as a Director of the Australian Stone Advisory Association. He has shared his expertise through presentations at industry events in Australia and abroad, and has written extensively on dimension stone use and evaluation for industry journals, as well as contributing to the bank of technical articles and guides on the Stone Initiatives website.
On retirement, Jim plans to keep in touch with the industry and continue to share his extensive knowledge and expertise – but in a more scaled-back manner.
“Stone has been part of my life for as long as I can remember – I’m sure I’ll stay in contact and share my ideas with those learning the industry,” he says.
“My biggest piece of advice to those shaping the future of the industry is to wholeheartedly embrace innovation and sustainable practices. The stone industry is truly global, with the ability to provide ethical and sustainable employment to many people.”
“Adopting the ethos of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ can make the use of stone a major contributor to reducing carbon emissions. This not only minimises environmental impact, but also adds long-term value for our clients and communities, and ensures our industry remains resilient and responsible into the future.”