The Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF) Chair Elana Rubin announces the appointment of Jenefer Stewart, General Manager, Business Banking at ANZ and Brett Moore, Executive, Specialised Industries at NAB as non-executive directors to the Board.
Elana welcomes the new board members saying: “Both Jenefer and Brett bring extensive experience working with small-medium businesses across a range of industries to help them make a positive impact on the communities they operate in.”
Brett Moore (NAB), Anthony Healy (ABGF) and Jenefer Stewart (ANZ).
Jenefer has over 20 years’ experience working with ANZ clients and is today the bank’s General Manager, Business Banking, responsible for 16,000 business customers across Australia. Jenefer has previously been a director on the board of ANZ Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
Jenefer is passionate about helping small-to-medium businesses achieve their goals, recognising their importance to Australia’s economy and the nation’s prosperity. Jenefer says “ABGF provides an important option for businesses to access capital in a unique way. In today’s market climate, businesses need options to balance their capital requirements.”
Brett Moore has over 15 years’ experience in financial services and is the Executive, Specialised Industries for NAB’s Business and Private Bank. Brett has also held board roles as Chair of State Sports Centres Trust, Vice Chair Equestrian Australia, and Director of Athletics Victoria.
Brett believes small and medium enterprises are the lifeblood of the Australian economy and community and says “ABGF is uniquely placed to partner with entrepreneurial Australian businesses to help them realise their potential.”
Anthony Healy, ABGF CEO thanks the outgoing ABGF board members, Nathan Goonan who has been appointed NAB’s CFO and Isaac Rankin, Managing Director, Commercial & Private Banking at ANZ. “During their tenure, Nathan and Isaac provided valuable strategic oversight as ABGF opened its offices in Sydney and Melbourne, built a diverse and experienced team, and deployed its first $100m of growth capital into eight Australian businesses across a variety of regions and sectors, including manufacturing, technology, healthcare and tourism.”
ABGF provides growth capital to Australian SMEs. ABGF has a unique profit-for-purpose investment model intended to fuel the growth of the SME sector. It was founded with initial capital of $540 million as a public-private partnership between the Federal Government, and six leading banks in Australia, including ANZ and NAB.
ABGF plays a vital role in filling the gap between late-stage venture capital (VC) and larger buyout funds. The primary purpose is to support SMEs by connecting them to capital, expertise, and wider local and international networks. The intent is to fuel business success and take a minority stake in the business during opportune times of growth, while ensuring the original founders retain control of the business.
ABGF is building an investment pipeline of companies with potential for growth. For small-medium enterprise businesses with over $2 million in revenue and a proven business model, visit here for more information.
For media enquiries or interview requests, contact:
Trisca Scott-Branagan
0414 504 404 / trisca.scott-branagan@abgf.com.au