About Me - My Biography

Catherine Harris is the Chair of Australia’s largest independent produce retailer, Harris Farm Markets. Harris Farm Markets was established in 1971 with one small fruit and vegetable shop in the western Sydney suburb of Villawood. It has since grown into an operation with a chain of 23 stores across the state of New South Wales and has 2000 employees. In the 40 years since its founding, the company has remained completely 100% family owned and operated. The company is still based in its original home of the Sydney Markets at Flemington.

Catherine is also the Director of Tyro Payments, a startup bank, and The Australian Ballet. She has board positions in the Australian School of Business UNSW, the MCA, The Australian Defence Force Academy, The National Gallery of Australia, and the Australian Japan Foundation. She is the Honorary Consul for Bhutan. She has also been the commissioner of the National Rugby League for five years.

Catherine is an officer in the Order of Australia. Some of her awards include the Australian Public Service Medal, the Centenary Medal, and she has an Honorary Doctorate in Business from UNSW.

Strategies for Success

  • Listen to every idea, every opinion, and every thought.
  • Never think you know it all. Always be prepared to get advice.
  • Believe in yourself and have the humility to know when you don’t know.
  • Make sure you have enough capital to help your ideas come to fulfillment.
  • Know your customers.