Scott Jackson, CEO in the Spotlight

Based in Brisbane, and with over 20 years of experience in technology leadership, Scott Jackson has built and scaled innovative businesses as an owner-operator, guiding them through trade sales and, more recently, securing private equity investment for Locatrix.

His career includes diverse and complex projects, such as U.S. property capital raising, involvement in a A$1B project in Ireland, and modelling return on investment for an ASX-listed green energy company. Scott describes himself as “a steady hand through change,” bringing integrity, curiosity, and a collaborative mindset to deliver meaningful outcomes in every project.

Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in the TIC+ sector?

For nearly 20 years I’ve been an owner-operator in tech businesses – from tripling a managed IT services company and exiting, through to now leading Locatrix. I came into the TIC+ world through fire safety and compliance, helping turn building floor plans into digital maps that keep people safe and help organisations meet increasingly tough regulations. It’s a great blend of my finance and tech background with a very human purpose: making sure people get home safely at the end of the day.

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‍Tell us a bit about your hometown—what makes it special to you?

I grew up in Durban, South Africa and migrated to Australia when I was 12. So “home” for me is really a mix of both: the warmth and grit of South Africa, and the opportunity and lifestyle here in Brisbane, in Australia. What they share is a strong sense of community: people look out for each other. That idea of community, of taking care of one another, shows up a lot in how I try to lead. 

I also love travelling with my family and spending time outdoors and being active – whether that’s playing golf, going out on the boat with my wife Kylie and our daughters, or playing tennis. You’ll never find me standing still!

Can you share with us a specific project or accomplishment that you are particularly proud of and why?

Most recently, I’m especially proud of how we’ve evolved Locatrix from a Queensland-born solution to a platform now used by fire professionals and large property portfolios locally and internationally. The team built PlanStudio and PlanSafe, and we have taken those safety solutions and proven we could scale them through partners and win global brands. This has been huge for our entire team. 

But what matters most to me is the impact behind the logos – we’re helping hundreds of thousands of people a year know how to get out of buildings safely if something goes wrong.

“[The] idea of community, of taking care of one another, shows up a lot in how I try to lead.”

What role do you think business leaders should play in shaping a better future for society?

I think the role of business leaders shifts over time. Early on, it’s about proving you can build something; later it’s about what that something does for others. Leaders should be crystal clear about the impact their business has on real people’s lives – and then be brave enough to align strategy, culture and capital to that purpose, even when it’s uncomfortable.

“Resilience is rarely heroic – it’s usually just lots of small, disciplined decisions made on the hardest days.”

What do you hope your legacy at Locatrix will be?

I’d like my legacy to be twofold: firstly, that Locatrix genuinely helped keep millions more people safe and became a global standard in indoor planning and emergency preparedness. And second, that we built a culture grounded in humility, gratitude and hope – a place where people grew, felt proud of the work, and were excited to hand the baton to the next generation of leaders.

Another legacy I’d love to leave is that idea of balance. We all need it, and for me that means prioritising family. As a father, I hope my daughters always know I have their back, no matter what. I want them to be brave enough to follow their dreams, knowing I’m right there if they need me. And when they think back on their childhood, I hope they remember that we had a lot of fun – and that they were loved unconditionally.

What do you think is the biggest factor affecting the TIC+ industry at the moment?

The biggest factor is talent. The industry is growing exponentially but finding the right people with the right qualifications to support that growth is increasingly challenging.

‍Can you speak to the biggest challenges you have faced in your career and how you overcame them?

Some of the toughest moments have been those 2-4am ‘founder hours’: managing rapid growth, preparing a business for sale during COVID, and then later stepping into a CEO succession after a highly respected founder. You overcome those periods by surrounding yourself with good people, being radically honest about the numbers, and coming back to your values when things get messy.

If you could speak to your 20-year-old self, what would you say?

Travel! Say yes to more uncomfortable opportunities. 

And invest in relationships – the people you meet along the way will shape your career more than any spreadsheet.

I’d also say go harder: make more (financial) investments and give more. 

What do you see as the future of humanity in one sentence?

The future of humanity is, ultimately, human – we need to protect and value our relationships in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Locatrix is a trusted partner in digital mapping and safety innovation, transforming complex indoor environments into navigable, intelligent spaces. Through dynamic maps, safety plans, and real-time navigation, Locatrix helps organisations manage indoor spaces with confidence—so people feel secure, informed, and in control.

This interview first appeared as part of the Red Swan Spotlight Series featuring successful leaders in July 2026: https://www.redswanpartners.com/spotlight-series/scott-jackson