Maggie Lu Yueyang Associate Editor, M&A, APAC; Australia/New Zealand Bureau Chief MERGERMARKET

Maggie is Mergermarket’s APAC Associate Editor and Australia/New Zealand Bureau Chief. She joined Mergermarket Australia in 2017 and has since been covering corporate strategy, M&A, and private equity activities as a journalist and an editor. She manages the Australian bureau, supports Mergermarket’s APAC editorial team, and facilitates cross-platform collaboration under ION Analytics between Mergermarket and sister publications including Debtwire and Infralogic. She previously worked at The Australian and Reuters, starting her Australian journalism career at the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery in Canberra. Maggie has been based in Sydney since 2013.

Deborah Johns Partner GILBERT + TOBIN

Deborah is a partner in Gilbert + Tobin’s Corporate Advisory Group, advising on corporate and commercial transactions, with a special focus on funds establishment and complex joint ventures. She also handles a broad range of business acquisitions and disposals, corporate governance and general corporate and commercial matters. Deborah joined Gilbert + Tobin in June 2002 and became a partner in 2007.

Deborah is a venture capital specialist, focusing on the establishment of venture capital funds and funding rounds acting for both investors and start-ups. Deborah also routinely advises on mergers and acquisitions and complex joint venture arrangements across a range of sectors – including funds management, infrastructure, and technology.

She has over 17 years of M&A experience around the world, acting for both buyers and sellers in a wide range of transactions. She has also advised a range of government and private clients on long-term, complicated joint venture arrangements in Australia and internationally.

Deborah is an expert in matters relating to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) and has led the firm’s participation in the consultation processes in relation to Australia’s foreign investment rules. Prior to joining the firm, Deborah worked in the Hong Kong office of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, a large New York-based firm, representing clients in venture capital transactions, direct foreign investment, strategic partnerships, and project finance throughout Asia and in particular in the PRC, Taiwan and India. This included a series of venture capital financings by StarTV, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, to name a few. She has also worked in the Chicago and Shanghai offices of former Chicago-based firm Altheimer & Gray.

Deborah also edits the firm’s Doing Business in Australia guide.

Chris Tinning First Assistant Secretary, Foreign Investment Division THE TREASURY

Chris is First Assistant Secretary of the Treasury’s Foreign Investment Division and the Executive Member of the Foreign Investment Review Board. He leads Treasury’s foreign investment policy and engagement functions and the administration of Australia’s foreign investment regulatory framework. As the executive member of the Foreign Investment Review Board, he supports its work in advising the Treasurer about foreign investment issues.

Previously, Chris headed the international division at Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, helping Australian primary producers maintain and expand exports.     

He spent over 20 years working for DFAT and the former Australian Agency for International Development, including in the role of Chief Economist Development. He has had postings to Jakarta and Washington, and was seconded to the World Bank as adviser to Australia’s Executive Director.

Chris has a degree in economics from the Australian National University.

Rachael Bassil Partner GILBERT + TOBIN

Rachael Bassil is a partner in Gilbert + Tobin’s Corporate Advisory team, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, and providing advice on securities law and listing rules. She works with listed companies, corporates and private equity sponsors on acquisitions, exits and transformational M&A. Rachael works closely with private equity sponsors throughout every stage of their investments including private acquisitions, partnering with founders, public to privates (by way of scheme or takeover), bolt-on acquisitions and exits including managing auction processes and IPOs. With a broad and diverse deal portfolio, Rachael is often at the forefront of the market’s most significant transactions.

Marissa Freund Managing Director, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) GOLDMAN SACHS

Marissa is head of the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) business in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Previously, she was chief operating officer of M&A in ANZ, a role she assumed in 2016. She joined Goldman Sachs in 2015 as an executive director on the M&A team and was named managing director in 2019.

Prior to joining the firm, Marissa worked at UBS in the M&A and General Industrials teams from 2005 to 2014. Earlier in her career, she was a solicitor at the law firm King & Wood Mallesons. Marissa is a sitting member of the Australian Takeovers Panel. Marissa earned a Bachelor of Commerce (with merit) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales.

Emma-Jane Newton Head of Investment Banking Coverage and Advisory – Australia and New Zealand DEUTSCHE BANK

Emma-Jane leads the Investment Banking Coverage and Advisory business for Deutsche Bank in Australia and New Zealand. 

Emma-Jane’s career spans over 20 years, having held roles across Australia, New York and London, advising corporate and private capital clients on mergers, acquisitions and financings. 

Prior to joining Deutsche Bank in 2024, she was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse in their Investment Banking Divisions. She also led Corporate Development and was a Divisional CFO at Telstra. 

Emma-Jane is a member of the Australian Government's Takeovers Panel and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons). She is Chair of the Sydney Dance Company, a major performing arts company.

Justin Negrin Head of M&A ORIGIN ENERGY

Justin Negrin is Head of M&A at Origin Energy.

Mr Negrin has over 20 years of mergers & acquisitions experience.

Prior to joining Origin in 2020, he was Managing Director and Head of M&A at Deutsche Bank Australia & NZ, where he worked in M&A for approximately 13 years.

Earlier in his career he worked as a valuation specialist at PwC and in the Corporate Strategy / M&A team at Mattel, Inc.

Mr Negrin holds a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Laws from UTS, Sydney, and an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA.

Aidan Allen Co-CEO JARDEN INVESTMENT BANKING

Aidan Allen joined Jarden in 2020 following leadership roles at Citigroup and UBS. Aidan is recognised as one of the leading bankers in the Australian market with 25 years of transaction experience and a trusted advisor to ASX50 companies and private equity firms.

Jimmy Rich Partner GREENSTONE PARTNERS

Jimmy Rich is a Partner at Greenstone Partners, a leading independent corporate advisory firm focused on mid-market mergers, acquisitions and divestments.

Jimmy joined Greenstone Partners in 2006 and has a broad range of experience in M&A, debt and equity transactions for public, private and private equity clients. Most recently, Jimmy has advised Airport Retail Enterprises on the sale to LSE-listed SSP Group; Pinnacle Rehab on the sale to Crescent Capital Partners; Gordon Brothers Industries on the sale to NYSE-listed Johnson Controls; and Aidacare on an investment by Quadrant Private Equity. Jimmy also sits on the Advisory Committee of Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky Co.

Joseph Fayyad Australia Country Executive & CEO BANK OF AMERICA

Joseph is Australia Country Executive and CEO for Bank of America.

As Australia Country Executive and CEO, Joseph is responsible for the overall management of the franchise, driving the strategic direction of the business and ensuring a coordinated and integrated approach across the platform.

Joseph is a senior investment banker with over 24 years of M&A and financing experience advising a range of large and multi-national corporate, private equity and Government clients across all industries and products. Prior to joining Bank of America in 2017, Joseph spent 12 years at Goldman Sachs Australia, most recently as Co-Head of Investment Banking Services.

Joseph is graduate of Claremont McKenna College (California) and is married with two children. He is a Governor of The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, avid snow skier, and a licensed private pilot.

Nick Brown Managing Director & Co-head M&A UBS

Nick is a Managing Director and co-head of Mergers and Acquisitions for UBS in Australasia, and was previously co-head of UBS’s industrials investment banking coverage in the region. In over 15 years at UBS, Nick has acted on some of Australia’s largest and most complicated M+A and funding transactions for a wide range of clients.

Martin Krauskopf Executive General Manager Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions EBOS GROUP LIMITED

Martin was appointed Executive General Manager, Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions in September 2022. In his role Martin leads the Group’s strategy, M&A and investor relations functions, working alongside other Group leaders to drive growth and shareholder value.

Prior to joining EBOS in March 2020, Martin had a 15 year career in investment banking with Macquarie Group based in Australia and Hong Kong, completing over $15 billion worth of M&A and capital markets transactions across a broad range of sectors. Martin began his career with KPMG.

 Martin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kathryn Young Head of Investments CAMBOOYA PTY LTD

Kathryn Young is Head of Investments for Cambooya Pty Ltd, which is one of Australia’s longest-running family offices. In that role she guides investment selection and portfolio construction across a wide range of assets, both listed and unlisted. She has more than 15 years of investment experience in Australia and the United States. She spent much of that time in manager research for Morningstar, ending her tenure there as Director of Manager Research Ratings, Aus/NZ. She completed her MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is a CFA Charterholder.

Shaun Manuell Head of Australian Equities AUSTRALIANSUPER

Shaun joined AustralianSuper in 2013 to head up the development of the Australian equity internal asset management program.

Prior to AustralianSuper, he was CIO and Head of Private Clients at ASX listed company Equity Trustees for 10 years and prior to this he worked in stockbroking in London, having started his career as a solicitor in Melbourne.

At AustralianSuper Shaun is a member of the investment senior team and has specific responsibility for the Fund’s $80 billion Australian listed equity portfolio, of which $75 billion is managed internally. The internal team is the largest active fund manager in the Australian equity market.

Shaun has a Bec/LLB from Monash University and an MBA (Deans Honours) from Melbourne Business School.

Giovanni Amodeo Chief Influencers Officer ION ANALYTICS

Giovanni sits on the executive committee of ION Analytics and is responsible for engaging with Influencers in the capital market globally and across asset classes. He organizes fireside chats and exclusive closed-door events to facilitate connectivity and knowledge among the influencers. Giovanni joined the company in 2001 where it held various roles in Italy, Germany, London including managing a global team of journalists and data analysts.

Geoff Elliott Managing Partner, Corporate & Financial Communications GRACOSWAY

As Managing Partner, Geoff is responsible for overseeing the firm’s corporate and financial communications practice.

Geoff provides clients with insight and advice on strategic media engagement and has built a reputation for providing valuable counsel to a range of clients, across a diverse range of industries and regulatory bodies. His knowledge of newsrooms, having worked at the highest levels of editorial management, also provides great insight into opportunities and threats in any media engagement.

Geoff’s recent work includes strategic communications support to APRA and nearly a decade of providing high level strategic communications advice to Pacific Equity Partners.

Simon Segal Director MERGERMARKET AUSTRALIA

Currently editorial consultant to Dealreporter and director of Mergermarket Australia, Simon Segal established the Australian bureau of Mergermarket in 2005 where he was bureau chief and Asian editor of Dealreporter (2006-2009).

He has a PhD in the relationship between stakeholders and M&A which has been converted into a book Reframing Mergers and Acquisitions around Stakeholder Relationships: Economic, Political and Social Processes (Routledge Advances in Management and Business Studies). He has co-hosted the weekly Dealbook on the former Sky Business channel and has contributed M&A commentary to numerous Australian publications.

Simon has some 30 years experience in researching, editing, writing and commenting on financial issues, specialising in M&A since 2005.

Roger Newby Managing Director SODALI & CO

Roger Newby is a Managing Director at Sodali & Co, a global advisory firm ranked No.1 in Mergermarket’s M&A PR advisor league table in Australia. Based in Sydney, Roger co-heads the Financial Communications and Transactions practice focusing on M&A, equity capital markets, capital restructures – as well as major reputational issues confronting public and private companies.

Delphine Cassidy Chief Communications Officer ORICA

As Chief Communications Officer at Orica (ASX:ORI), Delphine has a broad range of responsibilities in a highly complex and regulated global company.

She has been responsible for leading Orica through its most important equity market challenges and opportunities, media, and employee engagement environments. This has included crisis management for significant events, including the COVID-19 global crisis. She is central to the company’s most significant operational, financial, and M&A events and is well-regarded for her ability to deliver successful outcomes in challenging business environments.

Marc Rubinstein Managing Director LUMINIS PARTNERS

Marc is an experienced senior investment banker who has successfully advised clients in a variety of sectors and geographies across the full spectrum of corporate finance transactions, with a focus on M&A.

Danny Hunt Managing Director, Proxy SODALI & CO

Danny Hunt is Managing Director, Proxy for APAC at Sodali & Co. Leading the team that supports issuers secure shareholder approval for corporate actions, Danny has advised a number of clients across high-profile M&A transactions and contentious activist situations to help establish Sodali & Co as the #1 Global M&A Advisor as per Mergermarket’s most recent rankings. As a result, Danny has established himself as one of the most experienced proxy solicitation and shareholder engagement professionals in the Australian market.

James Hawkins Partner and Head L1 CAPITAL CATALYST FUND

James Hawkins is a Partner and Head of the L1 Capital Catalyst Fund. James has run the Catalyst Fund since its inception in 2021. He is on the Investment Committee for the Fund and oversees all activist initiatives.

Prior to joining L1 Capital, James spent nearly 10 years at Flagstaff Partners, where he was a Managing Director and Equity Partner who originated and executed M&A, equity and debt transactions. Previously, he worked at Macquarie Capital in Melbourne and New York where he was involved in several successful principal investments and a wide range of investment banking transactions after beginning his career at Clayton Utz as a solicitor.

James holds a double degree in Law and Commerce from Monash University, with Honours in Law.

Vidhur Rangaswamy Portfolio Manager TANARRA CAPITAL

Vid Rangaswamy is Portfolio Manager of Tanarra Capital’s LTV Fund, which takes a private equity-style approach to investing in Australian public companies. Prior to that, Vid worked in investment banking at Macquarie Capital. Vid holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Victoria Hardie Head of Private Equity HMC CAPITAL

Victoria leads the Private Equity division at HMC Capital, an ASX-listed alternative asset manager with c.$13bn of Assets Under Management. She is responsible for managing HMC Capital Partners Fund 1 – an unlisted fund which takes high conviction strategic stakes in an actively managed, concentrated portfolio of Australian and NZ listed entities, and seeks to influence outcomes to generate value.

Prior to joining HMC Capital, Victoria was a Managing Director at UBS, where she spent 15 years in Sydney and New York advising on M&A and capital markets transactions across a broad range of sectors including infrastructure, natural resources and real estate.

Adrian Kerley Executive Director, Private Equity IFM INVESTORS

Adrian Kerley an Executive Director in the Private Equity team at IFM Investors, responsible for sourcing, structuring and negotiating new investments, managing existing investments as well as Private Equity fundraising. Mr. Kerley has extensive finance and private equity experience, joining IFM Investors from Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, the pension fund for Australian government employees and members of the Australian Defence Force, where he was Head of Private Capital. In this role, Mr. Kerley was responsible for CSC’s Global Private Equity program, including developing and implementing investment strategies, portfolio planning and execution, relationship management, and operational enhancements. Mr. Kerley also previously worked in the investment team at CHAMP Ventures and for Woolworths in various operational and strategic roles.

Jo Spillane Executive Director, Global Head Private Capital Markets MACQUARIE CAPITAL

Jo Spillane is an Executive Director and Global Head of Private Capital Markets for Macquarie Capital.

In her role, Jo advises government, corporate and financial sponsor clients on access to equity capital for significant private capital transactions across sectors such as infrastructure and energy, telecommunications, healthcare and transport. Since 2015, PCM has raised over AUD230bn of equity for these deals.

Jo is responsible for Macquarie Capital’s relationships with many of the worlds’ largest institutional investors, including pension funds, superannuation funds, sovereign wealth funds and asset managers. She provides advice and guidance to these investors on deal flow and investment opportunities that meet individual mandates and strategic objectives.

Jo leads a global team of executives covering North America, UK/Europe, Japan, Korea and China and is responsible for the global connectivity of capital flows for transactions across these regions.

Jo has been with Macquarie for over 25 years in a range of leadership roles and businesses spanning both listed markets and private capital.

She is on the Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Advisory Board, and is a member of Chief Executive Women, the Hawthorn Club and sits on the Hawthorn Club Membership Committee for APAC.

Jo is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and is a proud parent to three children.

Len Chersky Managing Partner, Private Equity BROOKFIELD

Len Chersky is a Managing Partner in Brookfield’s Private Equity Group, responsible for investment origination, analysis and execution in the Asia Pacific region.

Mr. Chersky has over 20 years of commercial and investment experience. Prior to joining Brookfield in 2013, he was Executive Director in Lend Lease Corporation and previously held a number of senior positions in investment banking and financial services as well as executive roles in major listed organizations in Australia.

Mr. Chersky holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Law, both from University of New South Wales.

Matt Robinson Managing Director PACIFIC EQUITY PARTNERS

Matt Robinson - Managing Director - Buyout and Secure Assets

Matt joined Pacific Equity Partners in 2009. Prior to joining PEP, he was a consultant with Bain & Company in Australia. Matt was an Innovation Scholar at Macquarie University where he received a Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial Studies) and was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence.

Cecily Conroy Head of Equity Capital Markets for Australia, Partner, Deal Advisory KPMG

Cecily Conroy is a Partner in KPMG’s Mergers & Acquisitions practice and Head of Equity Capital Markets Advisory. She is also the Technology Sector Lead for Deals Advisory at KPMG.

With over 20 years of experience in investment banking and corporate finance, she provides strategic advice to Boards and management teams on corporate transactions, including IPOs, capital raisings and public market M&A. Having advised on deals exceeding $50 billion across Australian, New Zealand, Asian, European and US markets, she supports private equity, founders, and corporates in achieving their strategic goals and navigating complex transactions.

Mark Hall Head of Acquisitions and Integration WISETECH GLOBAL

Mark joined WiseTech Global in 2015 as an advisor on the IPO. Following the successful listing, Mark joined the group permanently as Deputy CFO, with a core focus on forecasting, reporting and process improvement. During Mark’s time at WiseTech, he has led the acquisition process and has been implementing and driving the integration process across acquired businesses. Prior to joining the WiseTech team, Mark spent almost 20 years with PwC in M&A focused roles on buy side, sell side due diligence and public market transactions across Europe and Australia. Mark is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Leeds.

Justin Smith Managing Director ANSARADA

Justin Smith, Managing Director at Ansarada, brings over 30 years of industry experience marked by visionary leadership and entrepreneurial success. As the previous founder and CEO of two businesses—a fitness & lifestyle SaaS platform and a marketing, advertising, and sales consultancy—Justin has advised major clients, including Visa Europe, BP, Mirvac, CITI, St. George Bank, HCF, Glencore, IAG, icare, NSW Government, OkTedi, Sydney Airport, and Aqualand, successfully navigating both his businesses to strategic exits.

At Ansarada, Justin was part of the leadership team that led the company through a successful IPO and subsequent acquisition by private equity, showcasing his strategic acumen. His expertise in digital transformation and customer experience innovation has driven significant achievements, particularly in Product-Led Growth and Sales.

Justin’s philosophy is to envision a company’s future so compelling that it naturally unfolds into reality. He excels in developing compelling investment stories and managing due diligence processes from the inside. His leadership fosters high-performance cultures, integrating diverse teams to drive P&L growth.

Josie Gorter Investment Director POTENTIA CAPITAL

Josie Gorter is an Investment Director at Potentia Capital - an ANZ based growth capital and private equity investor focused on the software, technology and tech-enabled services sector.

Josie joined Potentia in 2019 and has been active in the acquisition and management of several of Potentia’s portfolio companies. Within the Potentia portfolio Josie currently sits on the Board of Micromine (mining software), SuperChoice (superannuation software) and Nitro (document productivity software).

Prior to joining Potentia Josie was in Investment Associate at Coast2Coast Capital; and a Senior Associate at Citi Investment Bank.

Bryce Thompson Managing Director JARDEN

Bryce Thompson is a Managing Director at Jarden, leading the technology sector investment banking team. With twenty years in the investment banking industry, Bryce has established himself as a trusted expert with extensive experience advising some of Australia’s largest and most successful technology companies.

Prior to joining Jarden, he served as Head of Equity Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley and held a variety of sector coverage roles with UBS.

Bryce holds a Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering (Hons) and a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University in Melbourne.