Australia’s premier corporate specialist with global standards.

Blair Lucas.

Partner, Group Commercial Director

As Partner and Group Commercial Director, Blair is responsible for the overall operation of Acclime Australia. Besides managing the company’s operations from the head office in Melbourne, he also coordinates the global business development team for Acclime Australia. Blair is responsible for a range of overseas clients from South-East Asia, Greater China, UK, Europe and the USA, and he has acted as Company Secretary and Resident Director for over 100 companies operating in Australia. Blair applies his in-depth knowledge of the Australian corporate regulatory environment to help offshore companies establish a presence in Australia.

Blair spent many years engaged in investment consulting in China and is fluent in both written and spoken Mandarin. His practical experience in China includes various capital raisings, cross-border transactions, foreign investments, and corporate and commercial law. Blair has previously also acted as Company Secretary for various unlisted not-for-profit and ASX-listed public companies in Australia.

Blair holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Monash University, a Diploma in Chinese Language and Culture from Nanjing University, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance from Governance Institute of Australia, of which he is a member.

Paul Dixon.

Partner, Group CFO

Paul is a highly capable and experienced CFO, Company Secretary and Company Director. At Acclime Australia, he is responsible for managing the Accounting Team from the company’s Brisbane offices. In addition, he provides outsourced CFO services to clients from a range of industries, is responsible for corporate governance and compliance, and undertakes short-term consulting projects for client companies. Paul has a strong financial reporting background and an in-depth knowledge of reporting requirements and the Australian corporate regulatory environment.

Paul’s financial consulting experience spans both finance and corporate governance roles, and he has a proven track record of implementing and managing systems and driving process improvements. He has a commercially minded approach and a strong aptitude for a broad range of financial systems.

Paul is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, and the Governance Institute of Australia and has been a qualified accountant for more than 17 years and is a registered BAS Agent. Paul holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

Vivian Clark.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Vivian is the Founder and Managing Partner of Venturetec Advisory and a member of the Venturetec Group. She has more than 25 years’ experience in Australia and Asia, including as a C-level executive leading tech IPOs on the Australian Securities Exchange and local IT M&A transactions.

Vivian has led the acquisition of many companies in her previous roles at DWS Advanced Business Solutions and SMS Management & Technology. She has held senior managerial positions at world-renowned companies including Rio Tinto, Fordham Group and Ernst & Young, and was recently the Associate Vice President of Pactera Technology Ltd.

A Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Taxation, Vivian is a member of both the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma of Corporate Governance.

Michael Fisher.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Michael is a highly experienced and practical Director and Senior Manager who has held board positions across a variety of industries in roles spanning finance, commerce, imports and exports, and long-term business strategy and development. He has significant experience in successfully leading start-up business operations and has partnered with federal, state and local governments both in Australia and New Zealand.

Michael has worked for notable multinational companies in Australia, New Zealand and several Asian countries. Some of these positions include CEO, CFO, and Director of the Drake Group, Resident Director of Suzlon Energy Australia, and most recently CFO and Executive General Manager of the Marque Consulting Group.

Michael is a CPA, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Diploma of Commerce (Accounting).

Kerry Little.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Kerry is an extremely experienced Director and Mentor who focuses on helping businesses achieve sustainable prosperity for shareholders and stakeholders. Kerry works collaboratively with the owners and management teams of Acclime Australia’s clients to help them set goals and establish the necessary building blocks for success. He utilises formal board structures and processes to review and challenge existing business strategies to drive financial performance improvements. He also provides support, guidance and counsel to leadership teams, assisting businesses in all circumstances to grow and transition to a brighter future.

Kerry has held many Directorship positions since 1998, particularly in the manufacturing and building industries. These positions have included Non-Executive Director, Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

Kerry’s qualifications include a Master of Applied Science in Organisation Dynamics, a Diploma, Corporate Director, and a Graduate Diploma in Management Studies. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Human Resources Institute.

Tam Nguyen.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

With over 15 years’ board-level experience across the not-for-profit, healthcare and aged care sectors, Tam expertly supports his portfolio of Acclime Australia’s clients with their Australian subsidiaries. Using his background in the health, healthcare and medical research sectors, he advises medtech and health tech start-ups on their overall strategies, clinical trials strategies, project management and execution.

Tam has held many senior executive positions, including Deputy Director of Research at one Melbourne’s largest tertiary teaching and research hospitals, and he has extensive experience chairing and speaking at many national and international conferences. In addition to his role at Acclime Australia, he holds a number academic appointments, including Associate Professor at Melbourne Medical School and Adjunct Associate Professor (Research) at Monash Medical School.

Tam’s impressive list of international qualifications includes a PhD in Biomechanics/Orthopaedic research, an MBA in General Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science/Engineering. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (UK), The Institute of Managers and Leaders, and The Australasian Research Management Society.

Trevor Townsend.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Highly experienced and credentialled, Trevor is a Australian Resident Director for our clients’ foreign-invested subsidiaries across various industries. He specialises in providing high-level advice to boards on best-practice corporate governance, and guiding boards and shareholder investors through Australian compliance requirements. Trevor also acts as the shareholder’s representative to ensure adherence with compliance protocols, and he provides strategic advice on clients’ business plans and Australian projects.

Trevor has worked at Director and CEO level since 1994, and has considerable experience in the energy, financial services, property development, MedTech and technology industries. He has developed a career as both a professional Company Director and technology entrepreneur launching and exiting numerous business ventures over the last two decades. He has held roles at a senior executive level at public-listed companies and has capital raising expertise and mergers and acquisition experience.

Trevor holds a Bachelor of Business in Public Administration (Economics) and a Graduate Diploma in Computing from Deakin University. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chris Chen.

Tax Consultant, Acclime Australia

Chris is a valued member of Acclime Australia’s Tax Team, expertly managing our clients’ tax planning and tax advisory needs. He possesses a solid knowledge of all aspects of the Australian taxation system and compliance regulations, and is known for his problem-solving and analytical abilities. With his focus on business process improvement, Chris’ approach to client service is both strategic and proactive.

Chris has more than 15 years’ experience in the fields of financial accountancy, business services and statistics. His broad range of skills has been developed through his previous employment positions at an ASX-listed company, top-tier and private accounting firms, and a leading global travel management company.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Statistics from The Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing, China, Chris went on to complete a Master of Commerce (Finance) and a Master of Professional Accounting from The University of Sydney. He is also a qualified CPA

Maggie Dong.

Accountant, Acclime Australia

As an Acclime Australia Accountant, Maggie is responsible for a comprehensive range of accounting, taxation and compliance duties for our clients, including financial and tax return reporting, payroll services, balance sheet reconciliations, business account analysis and audits. A qualified CPA, she uses her strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills to successfully guide Acclime Australia clients through regulatory issues ensuring they are both compliant and up to date.

Maggie is bilingual in English and Mandarin, and has previously worked as a Financial Reporting Administrator in a listed global financial services company in China. She has also worked as an Accountant and Senior Accountant in leading Accounting firms in Brisbane, where she gained valuable experience liaising with clients ranging from individuals, companies and trusts through to partnerships and associations.

In addition to her CPA qualification from CPA Australia, Maggie holds a Master of Commerce degree in Professional Accounting and Applied finance from The University of Queensland.

Matthew Thomas.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Regarded as a pioneer in the executive ranks of Australia’s $1 billion-a-year debt collection and purchasing sector, Matt is credited as the driving force behind the National Hardship Register. Designed to alleviate the debts of disadvantaged Australians, this scheme has streamlined national standards of financial hardship management. Matt was an Executive Director and Chairman of the Australian Collectors and Debt Buyers Association, and he has served on various Boards in various capacities for over 20 years.

Matt is a former CEO of Brisbane-based Collection House Limited, where during his tenure he delivered a 400% increase in the company’s total shareholder return, and a 100% increase in net profit after tax.

Matt studied Electrical Engineering at UNSW and is a graduate of both the AGSM General Manager Program and London Business School’s Proteus Leadership Program. He is also a member of the CEO Institute and Mensa Australia, and is a Graduate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Tony Aveling.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Tony brings over 50 years’ experience in the financial services industry to his role as Acclime Australia’s Australian Resident Director. He uses his knowledge and skillset to provide our clients with advice on corporate governance and Australian compliance requirements, and he also advises on business planning and helps safeguard our clients from executive mismanagement and misconduct.

Tony’s long and successful career includes varied senior roles at Westpac Banking Corporation Group. He has led the peak body representing the Australia banking industry and was later pivotal in the financial turnaround of an ASX-listed company. Currently Chairman of the Investment Committee for a number of charitable foundations, Tony is also Past Chairman of Global MoneyLine Ltd, Past Deputy Chairman of Collection House Limited, Past Deputy Chairman and currently Honorary Governor Science Foundation for Physics within the University of Sydney, Past Chairman Australian Finance Conference, Past Chairman British Overseas and Commonwealth Bankers Association, and Past Vice President Harvard Club of Australia.

Tony is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a Fellow of the Institute of Managers & Leaders, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program of the Harvard Business School.

Adrian Ralston.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Adrian is a highly accomplished leader and manager at Acclime Australia who uses his ability to identify financial strategies to help our clients secure sustainable company growth. He remains positively focused on all aspects of financial management, risk management, process management and the retention of quality human resources. He is adept at planning and implementing tax reforms and financial systems and has a demonstrated ability to raise banking facilities and shareholder funds.

Adrian’s impressive experience spans over 35 years. He is a highly innovative and decisive executive with strong leadership skills and extensive commercial expertise in the services sector. Adrian has held senior roles at notable international and national firms, most recently a 12-year position as Chief Financial Officer of Collection House Limited.

An FCPA and a GAICD, Adrian also holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Business.

Mateus Nolasco.

Technology Director, Acclime Australia

As the Technology Director at Acclime Australia, Mateus has a diverse set of responsibilities; he manages the firm’s technology stack, represents a portfolio of technology and biotechnology clients as a Resident Director, develops new business in LATAM and Asia, and provides ad-hoc support to the firm’s finance division.

Mateus has co-founded businesses in media and technology and spent many years working in a global accounting firm. He has held multiple directorships in various industries and currently acts as the Treasurer for the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce.

Mateus is a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance) from Flinders University and is currently pursuing further education in the field of software engineering.

Julian Caples.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Dr. Julian Caples is a non-executive director with over a decade of board-level experience across a wide range of industry sectors, including clinical medicine, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), mining, minerals processing and manufacturing, agriculture, and in consulting services.

At board level, Dr. Caples has held non-executive board roles in Australia and the USA and has also held Committee Chair and Member roles, including Industry Liaison Committee, Nomination Committee, and Audit and Risk Committee. In an executive capacity, he has assisted large organisations manage their risks and reputation, and their interface with key stakeholders.

Dr. Caples holds a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery, as well as a Diploma in Investor Relations. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Giselle Rowe.

Australian Resident Director, Acclime Australia

Giselle is a highly skilled manager and management consultant with more than 30 years’ experience in Australia, the United Kingdom and Asia. At Acclime Australia, she uses her excellent strategic and advisory skills and her compliance knowledge to expertly guide off-shore clients with their business plans and Australian projects. She has extensive experience across a range of industries and technologies, including development of business and Information Technology (IT) strategic plans, program management, and management of consulting, technology and lifestyle businesses.

Prior to joining Acclime Australia as Director, Giselle spent eight years at ASG Group Pty Ltd, a leading management consultancy firm specialising in IT. Starting as Principal Consultant, Giselle was appointed Associate Partner of their consulting advisory business, before moving to Hong Kong to become Director of Delivery Asia.

Giselle holds a Bachelor of Business from Curtin University.

Ruairidh Hanley.

Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary

Ruairidh is based in Sydney, working with a portfolio of ASX-listed and private companies in Australia and overseas.

Ruairidh has a broad corporate secretarial background spanning onshore and offshore jurisdictions in Australia, the UK and the Channel Islands. Prior to joining Acclime Australia, Ruairidh held corporate secretarial positions in professional services and financial services in Sydney and Guernsey, providing secretariat support and governance advice to ASX and LSE listed companies, private companies, not-for-profit organisations, Indigenous businesses, and European fund managers.

Originally from Guernsey, Channel Islands, Ruairidh moved to Australia in 2020 and holds a Diploma in International Finance and Administration from the Chartered Governance Institute. Ruairidh is a Member of the Governance Institute of Australia, studying towards the Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management.

Leanne Groves.

Risk & Compliance Manager, Acclime Australia

As Acclime Australia’s Risk & Compliance Director, Leanne has a broad knowledge of governance and statutory procedures, accounting procedures and financial reporting requirements, along with government and private industry reporting processes. She is a Certified Member of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

Leanne Groves is a seasoned risk and compliance expert with over 25 years’ experience in senior administrative roles in industries ranging from agriculture and engineering to wind farms. Leanne has previously held a Company Secretary role with a key industry organisation, and financial and administrative roles for a number of private companies. She is adept at guiding Acclime clients through compliance and best practice corporate governance regulations, along with managing clients’ risk management framework and procedures.

A keen learner, Leanne has completed several professional development courses, including a Certificate of Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia.

Chew Yun Hee.

Company Secretary, Acclime Australia

Chew is a dedicated Company Secretary who delivers an exceptional level of service to her portfolio of Acclime Australia clients. Her professional secretarial responsibilities include maintaining statutory records and corporate registers, preparing resolutions, drafting and lodging required ASIC documentation, and setting up Australian bank accounts. She also provides compliance and governance advice, and is an important liaison between legal, R&D advisory and finance personnel. Acclime Australia’s clients greatly appreciate Chew’s meticulous approach and her ability to provide sound regulatory and governance guidance and compliance support.

Chew previously held a Company Secretary role with one of Malaysia’s leading publicly listed telecommunications companies. She has also provided guidance to the boards and senior management teams of a number of listed and unlisted companies in the property and automotive engineering industries.

Chew is an Associate of both The Chartered Governance Institute and the Governance Institute of Australia.

Claudia Liyanage.

Company Secretary, Acclime Australia

Claudia is a skilled and highly professional Company Secretary who brings a motivated and resourceful attitude to her role. With more than 50 of Acclime Australia’s foreign-invested subsidiaries in her portfolio, Claudia is adept at multi-tasking to ensure each client receives excellent and responsive service. In addition to incorporating companies for clients, preparing and lodging statutory documents to ASIC and ATO, and assisting with opening Australian bank accounts, she also maintains Corporate Registers and liaises with ASIC on behalf of clients.

Prior to joining Acclime Australia, Claudia had an impressive career as Senior Administrator at various financial services, advisory and accounting firms in Melbourne. During this time, she used her superior communication ability and strong attention to detail to hone her administration, liaison and incorporation skills.

Claudia graduated from the University College Dublin, Ireland with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems. She also holds a Higher Diploma in Computer Based Information Systems and a Diploma in Computer Systems Design, both from the National Institute of Business Management.

Ulku Aydin.

Company Secretary, Acclime Australia

Ulku uses her highly developed Company Secretary skills to conscientiously administer the affairs of newly established Australian subsidiaries with foreign parent companies. She expertly manages and supports her clients’ boards ensuring that they are compliant with all statutory and regulatory requirements. Ulku’s problem-solving attitude equips her with an ability to overcome challenges and guide her clients to positive solutions. She is known for her professionalism and her commitment to achieving tasks on time and to a high standard.

Possessing strong accounting, administrative and management skills, Ulku has previously worked as Corporate Secretarial Administrator for a leading Chartered Accounting and Advisory firm and has held Analyst and Corporate Secretarial roles for the Business Advisory Services division of Deloitte Private.

Ulku holds a Bachelor of Science (Information Technology) from The University of Melbourne and is a member of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Rafael Morales.

Accountant, Acclime Australia

Rafael is responsible for establishing accounting systems and managing the ongoing accounting needs of several of Acclime Australia’s start-up clients. He has extensive knowledge of performance analysis, management reporting, budget control and credit management. This enables him to help these businesses manage their financial operations, comply with regulatory requirements and measure and accomplish organisational goals.

Rafael brings high-level accounting skills, hands-on business management experience and systems expertise to his role at Acclime Australia. A Colombian national, he has previously worked for Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Bogota, before relocating to Australia in 2008 where he has worked in management at two major hotel chains.

Rafael has a Master of Accounting Studies and Bachelor of Accounting, and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Ryan Xia.

Accountant, Acclime Australia

Ryan is a highly motivated and enthusiastic accounting professional. A qualified CPA, he has proven experience in business bookkeeping, tax accounting and financial management. As one of Acclime Australia’s Accountants, he services our clients with their accounting, account management and compliance needs, performing financial analysis and preparing financial statements, BAS statements and ATO forms. His combination of creative and critical thinking skills, as well as his strategic decision-making abilities, make him an excellent and proactive Accountant.

Prior to joining the Acclime Australia team, Ryan spent almost 10 years working as an Accountant at a national financial and accounting solutions business, and a not-for-profit Queensland association.

Bilingual in English and Chinese, Ryan holds a Master of Business (Professional Accounting) from QUT, and a Bachelor of Business (International Business) from Shanghai Maritime University.

Kylie Capps.

Senior Financial Consultant, Acclime Australia

Kylie is a dedicated professional with strong experience in financial accounting and group reporting. She thrives in her role as Acclime’s Senior Financial Consultant, relishing the opportunity to provide expert CFO and full finance management services to clients located across the globe.

With a particular focus on the renewable energy, biotech and technology sectors, Kylie uses her finance, taxation and forecasting knowledge to help her clients succeed in the Australian market. She has previously held Head of Finance, Accountant and Assistant Financial Controller positions at several local companies. Her diligent approach to work, combined with her ability to guide her clients to make timely and value-adding business decisions, makes her a valuable member of the Acclime team.

Kylie graduated from her Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree with distinction, and is a member of the Taxation Institute of Australia.

Zubair Bangash.

Managing Director, Corporate Services Division

As Managing Director for Acclime Australia’s Corporate Services Division, Zubair is responsible for establishing and managing the tax, accounting and payroll teams at Acclime Australia. He is also the primary tax advisor for our clients in relation to their Australian entities’ tax obligations. Highly respected for his accuracy, efficiency and professionalism, Zubair applies his specialist knowledge to expertly guide clients through the ever-changing and dynamic Australian tax landscape.

His vast experience prior to joining Acclime Australia included over seven years as Director, Client Services of a major professional services firm that specialises in assisting multinational companies to globalise their footprint. He has also held senior advisory and tax compliance positions in a large international practice and a corporate mid-tier firm. In addition, Zubair has experience in smaller chartered accounting practices where he conducted business services work for local private clients.

Zubair is an Associate Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, and a Chartered Tax Advisor of The Tax Institute and holds a Bachelor of Commerce as well as a Master of Commerce (Accounting).

Anne-Marie Perret.

R&D Advisor, Acclime Australia

A highly regarded R&D funding specialist, Anne-Marie oversees Acclime’s dedicated R&D Advisory Services. During her stellar career, she’s headed up R&D services for Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Ernst & Young, and has assisted dozens of companies – from start-ups to multinationals – to access millions of dollars in government grants and incentives.

Anne-Marie’s expertise and connections provide Acclime clients with high-level access to Australia’s generous R&D funding incentives, as well as practical governance advice and project prioritisation services. She sits on the Advisory Board of the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund and the ACT Council of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is Vice President of the ACT Division of the Heart Foundation. She promotes technological innovation in the ACT as a Director of the Digital Canberra Challenge Program, Member of the Canberra Business Chamber Innovation Taskforce, and Chairman of the innovation-focused investment forum, Capital Angels.

Anne-Marie holds a Bachelor of Laws and Postgraduate Diploma in Investments and Securities.

Meharmeet Kaur.

R&D Manager, Acclime Australia

Always client-focused with a positive, problem-solving attitude, Meharmeet assists Acclime Australia’s clients with their R&D activities. Specialising in R&D tax incentives, she supports them with the completion of applications and activity statements for the R&anmp;D tax incentive program, and the preparation of R&D schedules for income tax returns.

Meharmeet is an enthusiastic and motivated Senior R&D Consultant. She is highly accomplished at delivering specialist advice for a wide range of businesses in sectors as diverse as IT, Engineering, Manufacturing, Food and Beverage, and Agriculture. Her previous experience includes Advisor and Consultant roles with major Australian corporate advisory firms.

Meharmeet has completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics), where she graduated with Honours and a publication in the Journal of Medical Systems, as well as a Master of Business Administration. She is fluent in four languages and possesses a winning combination of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills.

Nikki Foster Le-Grys.

Regional Director, UK & Europe

UK & EUROPE

Nikki has 15 years of experience working in high performing, dynamic roles. This has included working for a tech start up, a not-for-profit economic development organisation, an international media company and large, PE backed, corporates within construction and renewables industries. Nikki has detailed experience working with the public and private sector, with a particular focus on business development, marketing and customer care. Having lived and worked in Asia-Pacific for 2 years she has a good understanding of doing business in this region.

Most recently, Nikki’s role has been focused on international expansion activities, collaboration and the development of global networks to support start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs access overseas markets. She has specialisation in developing sales and marketing strategies for fast growing businesses, working with Founders and C-Suite, to deliver ambitious expansion plans.

Nikki holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Business Management and is currently studying part time for a Masters.

Courtney Millen.

Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary

Courtney is a dedicated Governance Advisor with a strong corporate secretarial background, specialising in ASIC and ASX compliance requirements. She brings a wealth of ASIC knowledge and general regulatory compliance expertise to offer clients.

Courtney joined Acclime Australia from Company Compliance and Advisory Services Australia where she was a Corporate Secretary and held a senior position in the corporate secretarial division, assisting clients with meeting their ASIC compliance requirements and regulatory obligations.

Courtney holds a Certificate in Governance Practice, awarded by the Governance Institute of Australia and is an affiliated member.

David Nairn.

Corporate Governance Consultant

GAICD, FCA, FCPA

David is based in Melbourne and is a Consultant in the Corporate Governance team. His role is to provide secretarial services to not-for-profit companies ensuring compliance with all their legislative requirements. He has also performed board performance and governance reviews and provided consulting support to clients.

Prior to joining Mertons, he was an Audit Partner with HLB Mann Judd and Deloittes in Australia and started in the profession in New Zealand before spending seven years with Deloitte in Canada. He was responsible for a variety of external and internal audits of listed, not-for-profit and government organisations. David is a non-executive director of Cohealth, a community health company and chairs their Finance and Audit Committee. David is also Chair of the Audit and Risk Committees of the Victorian Electoral Commission and Hume City Council.

David is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University in New Zealand. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and a fellow of the Certified Practicing Accountants in Australia.

Madeleine Harrison.

Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary

Madeleine is based in Melbourne and is a Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary. Madeleine’s role is to assist clients in complying with their statutory obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Company Constitution, ASX Listing Rules, ASIC compliance requirements, ACNC requirements and any other relevant legislation or regulation. Madeleine also manages the Board Secretariat function for clients, including arranging, attending and minuting Board and Committee Meetings.

Madeleine started her corporate career in a boutique insolvency firm, before joining a major accounting and financial services group where she supported public and private companies in meeting their ASIC compliance requirements and regulatory obligations.

Madeleine holds a Bachelor of Business from LaTrobe University and a Certificate of Governance Practice from the Governance Institute of Australia. Madeleine is an Associate member of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Mark Licciardo.

Partner, Managing Director, Listed Company Services

Mark is the founder of Mertons Corporate Services, now part of Acclime Australia and is responsible for Acclime Australia’s Listed Services Division. In addition, Mark is Acclime’s internal product champion for listed company services in the region. He will be working closely with colleagues in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore to define the services we offer these clients and the software platforms we use to better enable this.

Widely recognised as a leader in his field, Mark has extensive experience working with boards of high-profile ASX-listed companies guiding and implementing effective corporate governance practices.

He is also an ASX-experienced director and chair of public and private companies, with expertise in the listed investment, infrastructure, biotechnology and digital sectors. He currently serves as a director on a number of Australian company boards as well as foreign-controlled entities and private companies.

During his executive career, Mark held roles in banking and finance, funds management, investment and infrastructure development businesses, including being the Company Secretary for ASX:100 companies Transurban Group and Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Business degree in accounting, a Graduate Diploma in Governance and is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute, the Governance Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Michael Sapountzis.

Corporate Governance Manager – Company Secretary

Michael has extensive experience as a Company Secretary having previously worked with a variety of public and private companies, including ASX-listed and not-for-profit organisations. He also has a broad range of governance, compliance and employee incentive plan experience. Michael is known for his partnering and practical approach, and ability to proactively advise and support boards and management.

Prior to joining Acclime, Michael worked as an Assistant Company Secretary at Transurban Group, and prior to that held the position of Company Secretary for a portfolio of ASX-listed companies.

Michael is a qualified lawyer and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University. He also holds a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Nishtha Kukreja.

Corporate Governance Manager – Company Secretary

Nishtha is an accomplished professional currently working as a Corporate Governance Officer with Acclime Australia, where she continues to excel in her responsibilities in Corporate Secretarial matters by assisting the Corporate Governance Managers.

Prior to joining Acclime, Nishtha has made significant contributions to the corporate governance landscape. She spent over two years as an Associate Company Secretary with Source Governance (formerly known as Emerson Operations) in Melbourne and Sydney, where she played a pivotal role in ensuring compliance and fostering good governance practices within diversified client base.

Originally a Company Secretary from India with more than three years of local experience, she embarked on a new chapter in her career by moving to Australia in 2018. She completed her Masters in Corporate Governance and Risk Management whilst working as a Finance and Compliance Assistant with an ASX Listed Company during her study tenure. Being an Associate of Governance Institute of Australia, Nishtha is assured to make a lasting impact in the field of corporate governance, both in Australia and beyond.

Phoebe Phillips.

Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary

Phoebe is based in Melbourne in the Company Secretarial team as a Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary. Her role is to assist companies with ASX Listing Rule requirements, good corporate governance practices and the requirements of the Corporations Act.

She has a strong corporate administration background, particularly in ASIC lodgements and reporting requirements. Her prior experience includes leading the corporate secretarial division at an accounting firm where she incorporated companies, established trusts and self-managed super funds and ensured clients were compliant with ASIC requirements. She then progressed into an Assistant Company Secretary role at Acclime Australia, where she gained exposure to ASX-listed entities and developed her skills and knowledge regarding the ASX Listing Rules.

Phoebe is undertaking a Bachelor of Business majoring in Business Administration at Swinburne University.

Rebecca Gordon.

Corporate Governance Officer – Asst Company Secretary

Rebecca is an experienced corporate compliance professional and has a wealth of ASIC knowledge and general regulatory compliance capability to offer our clients.

Prior to joining Acclime Rebecca worked in both major and boutique accounting groups where she supported private companies in meeting their ASIC compliance requirements and regulatory obligations.

Sandra McIntosh.

Corporate Governance Manager – Company Secretary

FGIA

Sandra is based in Sydney and is a Corporate Governance Manager and Company Secretary. Her role is to lead and manage the Sydney team to deliver effective and efficient corporate governance, company secretarial and board obligations for a portfolio of clients.

Prior to joining Mertons, Sandra spent 14 years at an ASX-listed Biotech Company as Company Secretary, Director of Investor Relations, and Head of Corporate Affairs. Prior to that, Sandra was the Global Customer Service Manager for a microbiology Company, responsible for leading and motivating the customer service team, and creating customer satisfaction goals. Originally from England, Sandra moved to Australia in 2003.

Sandra’s qualifications include a Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia and a Diploma in Investor Relations from the Australasian Investor Relations Association.

Sushma Kejriwal.

Corporate Governance Manager

Sushma is based in Sydney, Australia and is a Corporate Governance Advisor, managing a portfolio of listed and unlisted clients. She has an extensive experience more than 15 years both in Australia and India, in corporate secretarial services including ASX and ASIC compliance, corporate restructuring, implementation of corporate governance practices and providing secretariat support to Board and Board Committees.

Prior to joining Acclime Australia, Sushma was an assistant company secretary with Boardroom, managing regulatory compliance for listed public and not-for-profits companies. Prior to that, she was a specialist paralegal with Allens Linklaters supporting public and private companies in meeting their ASIC compliance and regulatory obligations. Prior to moving to Australia, she was a company secretary with an energy-based company in Kolkata, India leading the private equity and joint venture arrangements.

Sushma holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Kolkata University, a Master’s in Business Law from National School Law School of India University, a qualified company secretary from the Indian Institute of Company Secretaries of India and a post-graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance from the Governance Institute of Australia. She is a fellow member of ICSA, GIA and ICSI.

Matthew Homan.

Junior R&D Consultant

Matthew is based in Melbourne and is a Junior Consultant in the R&D team. His role is to assist clients with their R&D Tax Incentive claims and R&D Tax related queries, with a particular emphasis on the lodgment of client’s R&D activities with AusIndustry and assessing the eligibility of client’s R&D expenditure. Given his prior experience in the Biopharmaceutical sector, Matthew utilises his experience in R&D and pharmaceutical production to assess R&D activities carried out by different companies and organisations.

Prior to moving to Australia and joining Acclime, Matthew was based in Ireland, most recently at MSD as a Manufacturing Biotechnology Associate. Prior to that, he spent time working in Research and Development. Matthew commenced his career at Takeda, focusing on equipment qualification and site readiness activities for a state-of-the-art site focused on the production of protein-based therapeutics for rare diseases.

Matthew has a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Cell Biology from Dublin City University.

Valerie Lo.

Corporate Governance Officer – Asst Company Secretary

Valerie is based in Melbourne, Australia and is a Corporate Governance Officer – Assistant Company Secretary. Her role is to assist in managing a portfolio of listed and unlisted clients with their statutory obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Company Constitution, ASX Listing Rules, ASIC compliance requirements, ACNC requirements and any other relevant legislation or regulation.

Valerie joined Acclime from a major accounting and financial services firm where she supported public and private companies in meeting their ASIC compliance requirements and regulatory obligations.

Valerie is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Law.

Ruairidh Hanley.

Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary

Ruairidh is based in Sydney where he works with a portfolio of ASX-listed and private companies based in Australia and overseas.

Ruairidh has a broad corporate secretarial background spanning both onshore and offshore jurisdictions in Australia, the UK and the Channel Islands. Prior to joining Acclime Australia, Ruairidh held Corporate Secretarial positions in professional services and financial services in Sydney and Guernsey; providing secretariat and governance support to ASX and LSE listed companies, private companies, not-for-profit organisations, Indigenous businesses, and European fund managers.

Originally from Guernsey, Channel Islands, Ruairidh moved to Australia in 2020 and holds a Diploma in International Finance and Administration from the Chartered Governance Institute.

Sujani Goonatilleka.

Corporate Governance Advisor – Company Secretary

Sujani is an experienced governance professional, having worked in several industries, including banking and corporate service providers in Sri Lanka and Australia.

Prior to joining Acclime Australia, Sujani held the position of Company Secretary/ Corporate Governance Advisor in outsourced company secretarial and governance services providers, where she managed a diverse portfolio of clients, including ASX, NSX, OTC, listed, unlisted and non-for-profit organisations across a wide range of industries. She started her career with Hayleys Group, a multinational and diversified conglomerate and held other in-house corporate secretarial roles in commercial banks and licensed financial institutions in Sri Lanka.

Sujani holds a Science Degree in Management (Hons) from the University College Dublin, a Master of Science Degree in Corporate Governance from London South Bank University, and an Associate Member of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA).

Grace Cotton.

Senior Manager, R&D Tax Incentive

Grace is based in Brisbane and is a Senior Manager in the Research and Development Tax Incentive Team. Her role is to assist clients with their R&D claims and R&D-related queries, with a particular focus on helping companies in the life sciences industry.

Prior to joining Acclime, Grace worked for Grant Thornton and specialised in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the R&D Tax Incentive. Grace commenced her career as a graduate at PricewaterhouseCoopers within the Tax and Legal Department. Outside of work, Grace enjoys running, cycling, and spending time with her family.

Grace has a Bachelor of Law and Commerce (Accounting) from Bond University and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and has been admitted as a lawyer in Queensland.