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.

Simon Warner joined Aware Super in September 2022 as Head of Portfolio Management, overseeing the Infrastructure, Property, Private Equity, and Public Equities portfolios. He brings over 26 years of global experience in banking and investment management, having held senior roles in London, Singapore, and Sydney.

Simon’s career includes leadership positions at JP Morgan, AMP Capital, and Macquarie. Notably, he served as Global Head of Public Markets at AMP Capital, where he was responsible for Fixed Income, Equities, and Multi-Asset businesses—spanning investment teams, operations, distribution, support functions, and governance.

He holds a BSc and MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, an Executive MBA from NYU, HSE Paris, and the LSE, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In June 2025, Simon was appointed to the Board of Women in Business Finance, reflecting his commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the financial sector.