Peter Baines is Australia’s hottest ‘Socialprenuer’ having founded the fastest growing boutique charity in the country, Hands Across the Water. Peter is currently shaking up the charity sector having raised over $1.5 million without spending one cent of donor’s money on administrative costs since its inception three years ago.

His passion for Corporate Social Responsibility began after witnessing the devastating effects of the world’s worst recorded Tsunami on Boxing Day of 2004. Peter was deployed to Thailand to lead the International Disaster Victim Identification response and spent three months leading Australian and International teams.

Each day he faced unprecedented challenges providing him with invaluable learnings in leadership and crisis management. Peter understands that in times of extreme difficulties it is focusing on results and not excuses that will get the job done. With the right team, a clarity of purpose and determination there is no reason to say it’s too hard or it can’t be done.

After returning to Australia, Peter formed Hands Across The Water to raise funds for, and awareness of, the children of Thailand who were left orphaned.

Today Hands Across the Water is one Australia’s fastest growing boutique charities and continues to produce amazing results. Within just three years, this home-grown charity has funded the construction of two orphanages, purchased a 14,000 tree rubber plantation, and built a sports and recreation field for the children of Thailand.

Peter believes that, “By choosing to do things differently what was once considered insurmountable becomes possible.”

Peter has touched the lives of many through his work and he continues to do so through his compelling keynote presentations, in which he takes the audience from laughter to tears as he tells his story and shares the lessons learnt from managing crisis on the world stage, making a real difference for many and in doing so realising his dream.

Peter has completed university studies in forensic science, law and management and spent 22 years in the NSW Police leading forensic teams in the investigation of some of the world’s most horrendous crimes and disasters. Today Peter spends his time helping businesses build effective CSR platforms to create goodwill, staff engagement and sustainable change.

January 2009

Contact Peter