Our Leadership Team

Darren Hooper, Chief Operating Officer

Darren has worked in the human services sector for well over 30 years and has a strong commitment to ensure these services provide people with the best opportunity to meet their goals and reach their full potential. 

Darren has worked for MAX Solutions since September 2014, appointed Chief Operating Officer in August 2016 and is responsible for the leadership and day-to-day management of all operational areas of MAX. Darren has worked in many areas across the Australian Government, taking on strategic leadership roles delivering employment services, policy development programme management, workforce development and change management.

From 2002, Darren held senior executive roles with the various iterations of the Commonwealth employment departments and more recently the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where he held the position of the Queensland State Manager.

His other roles included managing property and business services, managing multi-billion dollar procurement processes, population and migration policy, large scale evaluations, and implementation of the Government’s Indigenous programme agenda.

Darren holds an honours degree in law, a management degree with a human resource major, and a diploma in project management. He holds professional memberships with the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Australian Institute of Project Management.

Darren is married with four adult children. He lives in Canberra where he follows the AFL, rides his motorcycle and enjoys a regular game of golf.

Cameron Taylor, Executive General Manager

Finance

Cameron is the Executive General Manager of Finance at MAX Solutions and comes to MAX with over 25 years' experience across a range of service industry sectors. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand, Cameron worked in the UK and the Netherlands for thirteen years in banking and advertising, gaining vast experience in large multinational businesses. 

Within the banking sector, Cameron worked with JP Morgan, Swiss Bank Corporation and Cantor Fitzgerald. He went on to hold senior Finance Director and CFO roles with some of the world’s largest advertising and marketing communication groups, including TBWA (Omnicom Group) and DraftFCB (Interpublic Group) before returning to Australia.

In Australia, Cameron has contributed to the success of Flight Centre Group Ltd and Corporate Travel Management Ltd in senior finance roles, whilst gaining experience in the listed public company environment. 

Cameron brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to MAX Solutions, managing finance functions and partnering with operational management to drive outcomes and performance. Cameron lives in Brisbane with his wife and identical twin boys who keep him busy with junior cricket and golf.

Rachel Chapman-McCowan - Executive General Manager

Human Resources

Rachel joined MAX in 2013 and has a wide-ranging HR background with 23 years’ experience, including Executive HR roles with ASX listed companies and international entities. Since joining MAX, Rachel has held managerial positions across HR and our MAX Employment operations before her appointment as Executive General Manager Human Resources.

Rachel believes that providing an environment where people feel valued and supported is intrinsically linked to improved organisational performance.

Rachel has professional qualifications in HR, Occupational Health and Safety and Project Management and has experience in large organisational strategic change initiatives. Rachel is solutions focused delivering on both longer term strategic change and operational HR initiatives to support our broad workforce.

Rachel lives in Brisbane with her husband and her son spending most weekends at kids sporting events and spending time with family.

Richard Spurrell, Executive General Manager

Quality, Performance and Analytics, Facilities

Richard Spurrell joined MAX Solutions in 2004 having worked in the employment and vocational training sectors since 1978 including 18 years in the Australian Commonwealth Public Service developing, delivering and managing employment and training programs.

Richard has devoted his career to the design, management and delivery of employment services and programs and has a firm belief that helping people gain and maintain employment is the most effective way of helping them take control of their lives.

Having previously performed all management roles within MAX, including a period as Managing Director of MAXIMUS UK, Richard is responsible for contract performance and compliance on all major government contracts. This includes Quality systems, internal audit teams, setting performance standards and reporting against those and developing new processes and practices.

Richard is currently a Director of Goldfields Employment and Training Services, a joint venture of MAX Solutions and MEEDAC Inc, delivering services to remote regions in Western Australia and specifically responsible for improving outcomes for indigenous people and their communities.

Richard is also a Director of MAX Foundation, a charitable foundation. Having previously studied teaching Richard also holds a Masters of Business Administration.