Circuitwise recently welcomed Luke Grigg as its Chief Growth Officer, bringing over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and operations in the electronics industry. The establishment of this new role comes at a pivotal time, with Circuitwise's acquisition of Nautech and an ambitious vision for growth. In this interview, Luke shares his background, his initial impressions of Circuitwise and the challenges ahead.
Q: What is your role at Circuitwise Group? A: As Chief Growth Officer, I oversee sales and marketing for both Circuitwise and Nautech. My primary focus is to refine the structures and processes in these areas to ensure we run as efficiently, effectively and consistently as possible, with a laser focus on our target markets.
Q: Can you tell us about your background and experience prior to joining Circuitwise? A: I spent the last 15 years in electronic component distribution, working with element14, a division of Avnet. My background was in sales, but I moved through several promotions until I led the business in Australia and New Zealand for the last eight years. At element14, we served customers in industries like manufacturing, delivering components and products quickly and reliably. By the time I left, the business had grown significantly.
Q: What attracted you to join Circuitwise? A: Initially, it was Serena Ross (CEO of Circuitwise) and her inspiring vision for growth. I had taken a break after leaving my previous role but was drawn into conversations with Serena and the people at Quadrant, the private equity firm that has invested in the company. As we explored the strategy and challenges, I became excited by the vision of the group. I realised I could add value, and I was looking for a company where I could be more invested in the outcomes of my work. Circuitwise offers exactly that.
Q: What role do you see yourself playing within the Circuitwise team? A: My experience in sales and business leadership will allow me to bring more structure to the sales and marketing functions here. I’ve worked with teams of varying experience levels and have developed a knack for coaching and mentoring. However, the real value I bring comes from my experience in running a similar-sized business. So, I also see myself contributing to the overall operations and financial strategy of the company, offering a fresh perspective alongside the broader leadership team. Serena has assembled a strong group, and I’m excited to be part of it.
Q: What has been your first impression of the company and the team so far? A: In one word – collaborative. On my first day, I was struck by how well different departments worked together, especially when discussing customer-related matters. Despite the growth and scaling, Circuitwise has maintained the feel of a family business. I think customers really appreciate knowing that the person they are talking to is backed up by a close-knit team. This collaborative spirit is something we can continue to build upon, and I believe it will underpin our future success.
Q: What are you most excited to work on at Circuitwise? A: I’m excited by the changes that are happening right now as we integrate Nautech into our operations and just how big the vision is. I will really enjoy shaping the sales processes and introducing new marketing strategies to drive that growth. While the contract manufacturing market in Australia and New Zealand is mature, it is relatively small and I think we have an opportunity to really grow the Australian-made and NZ-made markets and potentially expand our services abroad if we get the brand and customer experience right.
Q: What challenges do you anticipate in your new role, and how do you plan to overcome them? A: The biggest challenge will be absorbing the breadth of information across Circuitwise and Nautech. While I’ve sold into this industry before, being part of the production side offers a new perspective. I’m eager to deepen my understanding of the end-to-end manufacturing process. Also, each market we target will have its own nuances, and the challenge will be to unify these into a coherent strategy while maintaining what makes our business and each market unique. I’ll be working closely with the leadership team and experts in each field to make sure we get it right.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? A: I’m a father of three, so most of my time outside of work revolves around my family. I coached my youngest son’s under-six soccer team this year, which was a deeply rewarding experience, and I was even awarded "Under-Six Coach of the Year" — a proud moment! I also enjoy staying active. I try to get in some gym time and go surfing when I can. A lot of our family time is spent at Bungan Beach on Sydney’s north side. My wife is a long-distance runner, and the children are all actively involved in sport, so fitness is a big part of our lifestyle.
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