The Australian Business Growth Fund™ is for growth-ready Australian businesses looking for a capital partner.

ABGF is Australia’s only purpose-built growth capital fund dedicated to investing in entrepreneurs and disruptors across the SME sector. Our unique public-private partnership model is facilitated by a powerful alliance between the Federal Government and six leading banks.

Founded with an initial capital of $540 million, we fill a critical gap in the market for flexible growth capital that’s tailored to each individual business. Our investment can facilitate expansion into new markets, new product development, mergers and acquisitions and succession planning.

Our team is carefully selected with individuals who are purpose-led and have a passion for SMEs, each dedicated to supporting our investee companies to thrive. With ABGF, you’re getting more than financial investment – you’re getting true backing.

Our people

Our team is made up of experienced business leaders, strategists and finance professionals with a purpose-led approach to what they do and a passion for backing innovation.
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Leadership
Investment
Origination
Talent Network
Operations
Board
Anthony Healy
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Anthony Healy
CEO & Managing Director
Anthony Healy
CEO & Managing Director
Mr Anthony Healy joined ABGF as its inaugural CEO in October 2020, is a member of ABGF’s board and Chair of the investment committee.

Anthony has 28 years experience in banking and financial services, including CEO, C-suite and board-level roles across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Middle East. His career covers a broad range of financial services sectors, predominantly serving SME businesses, financial markets, wealth management, investment, and funds management. He graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science and Graduate Diplomas in Economics and Finance. Sought out as a change agent, he has led start-ups, growth businesses and turnaround situations, with a strong focus on growth, innovation, and cultural transformation.

“I have worked with, supported and served SME businesses for most of my career, including serving on the board of the Icehouse, New Zealand’s leading growth fund and business accelerator. I love working with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, helping them grow and innovate – they are the heart and soul of the Australian economy. That’s why, in my previous role as Chief Customer Officer for NAB, I led the initiative to establish ABGF and why I was so excited to take on the role as founding CEO, to build Australia’s leading mid-market growth fund, and fill the gap in the market for long-term, patient (minority) growth capital for Australian SMEs.”

Ghazaleh Lyari
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Ghazaleh Lyari
Co-Head of Investments
Ghazaleh Lyari
Co-Head of Investments
Ghazaleh is a founding member of ABGF’s investment committee and co-head of the ABGF investment team.
Ghazaleh joined ABGF from CHAMP Ventures. With a career spanning three decades, she has a diverse set of experiences across the technology industry, investment banking on Wall Street and Silicon Valley, and founding and running her own business. Ghazaleh has a track record of supporting and investing in SMEs across a broad range of sectors in Australia and building strong relationships with SME founders as a dependable partner through their growth journey.

Ghazaleh grew up in Tehran, living through war and revolution, and moved to Australia as a teenager. She graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Science (double majors in Physics and Computer Science) and subsequently obtained an MBA from The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Ghazaleh is a strong advocate for diversity and equity in the workplace, dedicating her spare time to mentoring female entrepreneurs as well as young women interested in business and finance. She also enjoys travelling and exploring the world, reading, and entertaining.

“ABGF is uniquely positioned to be a true change agent, fuelling growth in the SME sector, while leaving control in the hands of the founders. The fund is built on a for-purpose foundation and allows me to do what I love professionally while doing good for the country.”

Patrick Verlaine
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Patrick Verlaine
Co-Head of Investments
Patrick Verlaine
Co-Head of Investments
Patrick is a founding member of ABGF’s investment committee and co-head of the ABGF investment team.
Patrick was previously a partner with Crescent Capital Partners and started his career as a corporate strategist with LEK Consulting in London.

Having led multiple Investments and chaired numerous SME boards over his career, Patrick has extensive experience across a broad range of industries with particular expertise in building products, industrials, mining technology and consumer goods. He graduated from Imperial College London, with first class honours in a Master of Aeronautical Engineering.

A citizen of the world with Belgian heritage, Patrick grew up in South Africa and Spain passing by France and the UK on his way to Sydney where he sought to combine his passion for surfing with investing in SMEs. His childhood abroad enabled him to become truly tri-lingual, and he is a native English, Spanish and French speaker.

“I joined ABGF because the opportunity to co-lead the investment team of a newly created, for-purpose fund that enables Australian SMEs to execute their growth aspirations whilst always retaining control was too good and unique an opportunity to turn down. I feel truly privileged to be able to share this journey with all these incredibly gifted entrepreneurs and hope to assist them in achieving their goals with my own experience and perspective along the way.”

Frederick Charette
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Frederick Charette
Head of Portfolio & Talent
Frederick Charette
Head of Portfolio & Talent
Fred is a founding member of ABGF’s investment committee and leads the ABGF portfolio & talent team.
Fred joined ABGF after building the global direct private equity investing arm of CDPQ, Canada’s second largest institutional investor with $470 billion in assets under management. A former McKinsey consultant, he was also a founding shareholder and COO of Daisee, a global leader in AI-driven voice analytics.

Fred’s functional expertise centres around aligning leadership and organisational levers with business strategy and operations. His background covers a variety of sectors including retail and e-commerce, higher education, healthcare, manufacturing and technology. A native French speaker, Fred trained as a lawyer in Quebec before completing a post-doctorate in Law and Economics at UC Berkeley.

“Aside from capital, what small businesses need most is a founder willing to grow as a leader and access to expertise and talent. The thread that connects my professional journey is a constant curiosity about human behaviour, how it impacts the health of an organisation and ultimately, its performance. That’s why I joined ABGF: to provide SMEs with capable Chairs and advisors, and to assist small business owners in making decisions about their people and organisation in a way that will most effectively use our capital to support their growth.”

Stefanie Allen
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Stefanie Allen
General Counsel
Stefanie Allen
General Counsel

Stefanie is ABGF’s General Counsel and co-company secretary of ABGF and leads the ABGF legal and compliance team.

Stefanie joined ABGF from Lazard where she was responsible for the legal and compliance functions of its financial advisory and private equity businesses in Australia, Singapore and Japan. Prior to Lazard she worked as an M&A lawyer at Herbert Smith Freehills in Melbourne and Freshfield in London.

Stefanie has worked with a wide variety of businesses spanning multiple sizes and sectors during her time with Lazard and her time in private practice. Stefanie has a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment (FINSIA) and has completed the AFMA/International Compliance Association AML/CTF Management Program.

“I really enjoy working as a lawyer and I feel strongly that organisations need to create legal and compliance frameworks that are fit for purpose. In joining ABGF from the early stages I have the opportunity to apply that to the fund itself as well as share my knowledge and experience in this area with SMEs.”

Rayna Toman
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Rayna Toman
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
Rayna Toman
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer

Rayna is CFO/COO and co-company secretary of ABGF and leads the ABGF finance team.

Rayna joined ABGF after 10 years with private equity firm Next Capital where she was responsible for the finance, company secretarial, compliance and investor relation functions. Prior to this she worked in finance and private equity roles at Macquarie Bank, Schroders Australia and Gresham Partners.

Rayna has worked in private equity and financial services for most of her career and has developed extensive capabilities in private equity, corporate strategy and governance, financial management, business improvement, responsible investment and cyber security. Rayna is a Chartered Accountant (FCA ANZ) and has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney. She has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment (FINSIA), an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Diploma of Investor Relations from the Australasian Investor Relations Association, the Chief Executive Women course and is a graduate of the AICD company director course.

“I enjoy the variety of finance work in a business as unique as ABGF and that I am able to leverage my experience in private equity and finance to shape a business with the capabilities to assist SMEs to grow.”

Tim Haden
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Tim Haden
Origination Director
Tim Haden
Origination Director

Tim leads the ABGF Origination team.

Tim joined ABGF from Barclays Investment Bank, where he worked on numerous high-profile sponsor backed Australian buy out transactions. Prior to this he worked in various banking roles in the UK and New Zealand and started his career as an Officer in the New Zealand Army.

Tim has experience in all aspects of M&A transactions, including origination, structuring and transaction execution. He has advised and provided underwritten financing solutions to global private equity firms on M&A transactions. He graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) and Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Philosophy).

“I’ve spent my career structuring financings for large buy-out transactions, often finding the success of these businesses traces back to an entrepreneur or family-owned business. The best companies I’ve worked with maintain a family business mindset, prioritising customers, employees and local communities while taking a long-term approach to strategic decisions. At ABGF we provide patient (minority) capital to SMEs, empowering businesses to achieve their goals, and offering a unique alternative to traditional private equity solutions. I joined ABGF because I see a significant opportunity in this model to unlock value in Australian businesses and support high growth companies.”

Bonnie Powell
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Bonnie Powell
Head of People & Capabilities
Bonnie Powell
Head of People & Capabilities

Bonnie is a member of the ABGF talent & capability team.

Bonnie joined ABGF from venture backed Vancouver-based fintech start-up, Bench Accounting. Prior to the last half decade in fintech, she worked in mining and consulting in Vancouver, Canada.

As Vice President of People at Bench Accounting, Bonnie was a key member of the executive team, scaling the business by over 500 people through Series B and C fundraises. Bonnie has 20 years of global experience in the People & Culture space with a deep passion for creating workplaces where people can show up as their authentic best selves. She’s dedicated to creating high performing, diverse, inclusive and cohesive teams by cultivating psychologically safe workspaces.

Bonnie holds a dual Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resource Management) and Arts (Psychology and Political Science) from the University of Queensland and is currently completing an Executive MBA.

“I joined ABGF because I love the generative impact of entrepreneurship, both as a force for change and as a driver of economic growth and job creation. I’m thrilled to be partnering directly with the businesses we invest in, advising on organisational and people strategies, helping them unlock new levels of scale and growth.”

Lucinda Bradshaw
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Lucinda Bradshaw
Investment Director
Lucinda Bradshaw
Investment Director

Lucy is a member of the ABGF investment team.

Lucy joined ABGF from BBRC Private Equity, an Australian mid-market private equity fund focused on consumer, healthcare and technology investments. Lucy originally trained as a commercial lawyer and worked in capital markets and M&A at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.

During her three years investing at BBRC Private Equity, Lucy partnered with founders and management teams to help them scale their businesses locally and overseas. In her previous career as a commercial lawyer, Lucy specialised in capital raisings and saw first-hand the transformative potential of investment capital on a business’s growth trajectory. Lucy has a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney.

“I joined ABGF because I truly believe it offers a unique form of investment. As a minority, for-purpose investor, ABGF allows shareholders to maintain control of their business while providing them significant support, capability and experience to help them scale. For me, working alongside entrepreneurs and learning about their business is a privilege that makes every day an exciting experience. I’m really looking forward to working with Australian SMEs to help them achieve their goals.”

Jack Lin
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Jack Lin
Investment Director
Jack Lin
Investment Director

Jack is a member of the ABGF investment team.

Jack joined ABGF from AUA Private Equity Partners, an operationally focused lower-middle market private equity firm backed by one of the most successful Hispanic-owned family businesses in the United States. He previously worked within investment banking, management consulting and corporate law environments in Australia.

During his ten year tenure at AUA Private Equity Partners, Jack specialised in investing in founder and family-owned SMEs across the United States, partnering with entrepreneurs to accelerate growth in their businesses. Jack has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from University of Sydney and studied at Cornell Law School.

“Purpose, passion, impact, and a drive to make our lives better – SME entrepreneurs are the unsung heroes of our society. The past ten years in New York taught me an incredible amount about scaling SMEs and the meaning of true partnership with entrepreneurs. I am incredibly excited to share these lessons and my experiences with Australian entrepreneurs in supporting them to realise their visions.”

Isabella Jones
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Isabella Jones
Marketing Director
Isabella Jones
Marketing Director

Isabella leads the ABGF marketing team.

Isabella joined ABGF from Amber Electric, where she worked as a Growth Marketing Manager. Prior to this, she led the Marketing department at Halaxy, a SaaS platform in the healthcare industry.

Isabella has extensive experience supporting early growth businesses, having spent 15 years working with start-ups, advertising agencies, and global businesses working across the customer journey, from customer acquisition to onboarding, retention and loyalty.

Isabella holds a Bachelor of Communications, a Post Graduate Certificate in Marketing Management, and an MBA from Melbourne Business School (MBS) and Columbia Business School. She is passionate about diversity and gender equity, and volunteers as the President of the Women’s Alumni Network at MBS.

Before relocating to Melbourne in 2014 to join her husband, Isabella lived in São Paulo, Brazil, where she worked at advertising agencies across various industries and global consumer brands, including Converse, Snickers, Natura Cosmetics, and Yahoo.

“I witnessed first-hand how SMEs have the power to drive innovation and accessibility when my dad founded the first ISP in my home estate 25 years ago. I believe that, by investing in SMEs, we’re investing in a stronger economy with more jobs and a better standard of living for everyone. I love to use my skills and experience to support purpose-driven organisations, where I can see the impact of my work in transforming people’s lives and building a better place for all.”  

Chintan Doshi
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Chintan Doshi
Head of Portfolio Finance
Chintan Doshi
Head of Portfolio Finance

Chintan is a member of the ABGF portfolio team.

Chintan joined ABGF from a single-family office, Audant Investments, where he was responsible for investments across the private capital portfolio. Prior to Audant Investments, he worked in the strategy team for WooliesX (part of the Woolworths Group) and held various senior finance roles at HelloFresh.

During his four years at Audant Investments, a family office, Chintan worked directly with the principal to lead private capital investments across a range of sectors. He was responsible for deal origination, due diligence, execution, and portfolio management, partnering closely with founders and private equity sponsors to drive value creation. Prior to this, Chintan was the first finance hire at HelloFresh Australia, where he built the local finance function from the ground up. Following the company’s IPO, he established the in-house M&A function and led the Group’s first acquisition, executed out of Berlin. His experience spans private equity investing, in-house M&A, and building finance capabilities in high-growth, operationally complex environments.

Chintan is a Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ), Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA UK) and has received a Master in Financial Analysis from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Honours in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

“My career has focused on scaling and investing in small businesses. I am fascinated by ABGF’s purpose-driven mission to empower SMEs in Australia by not only providing capital, but also the expertise and strategic support required to execute their growth aspirations.”

Rheannon Ashby
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Rheannon Ashby
Investment Associate
Rheannon Ashby
Investment Associate

Rheannon is a member of the ABGF investment team.

Rheannon joined ABGF from Strategy& in their Deals Strategy team. She was previously in the Valuations team at PwC and began her career as an Aerospace Engineer for a private defence consultancy.

Rheannon’s experience spans M&A strategy, market entry and expansion, capital raising, and divestments. She has worked across a range of industries including Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Retail and Consumer, Industrials, Financial and Insurance, and Energy Transition. Rheannon has an Honours Degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Adelaide.

“My most fond professional experiences have been working with small businesses to harness their strengths and position them for their growth journey. The passion SME founders have for their businesses is infectious, and the ability to work alongside them at ABGF and provide the expertise they need to take their businesses to the next stage is a great privilege.”

Alex Collivas
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Alex Collivas
Investment Manager
Alex Collivas
Investment Manager

Alex is a member of the ABGF investment team.

Alex joined ABGF in 2022 from OwnHome, an Australian property technology company where he led the capital and finance divisions. Prior to that, he spent over three years in an Australian mid-market private equity firm and started his career at Macquarie Capital.

As OwnHome’s second founding employee, Alex launched and scaled the business, providing invaluable experience in building a great business in Australia. As an investor, Alex helped founders and management teams grow their businesses as well as plan and execute on successful exits. Alex has a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce, majoring in finance from the University of Queensland.

“I joined ABGF because its investment mandate helps plug an important gap in equity capital funding for SMEs, that is, growth capital that allows owners to remain in control of their business. With passion and experience for helping to grow businesses, I look forward to partnering with entrepreneurs to realise their growth aspirations whilst developing lifelong relationships.”

Lori Broner
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Lori Broner
Investment Manager
Lori Broner
Investment Manager
Lori is a member of the ABGF investment team.
Lori joined ABGF from an Australian mid-market private equity fund, Anacacia Capital. Prior to this, Lori was a management consultant at LEK Consulting, where she worked with leading corporates and private equity firms across a wide range of sectors on transactional due diligence, growth strategies, implementation and operational improvement.

Lori’s prior investment and consulting experience has allowed her to work with exceptional founders and management teams to successfully grow and exit their businesses. Lori graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology and Biochemistry.

“ABGF not only provides the opportunity to work with leading founders and management teams to achieve their goals, but it does this through an industry leading framework. ABGF is truly unique in its approach and I’m excited to be a part of this journey.”

Michelle Chan
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Michelle Chan
Senior Lawyer
Michelle Chan
Senior Lawyer

Michelle is a member of the ABGF legal team.

Michelle joined ABGF from MinterEllison, where she worked as an M&A lawyer in Melbourne and Hong Kong.  She has collaborated with a range of businesses in Australia and Asia, gaining extensive experience in various industries and transactions, including investments and acquisitions, divestments and disposals, joint ventures and integration.

Michelle’s expertise spans multiple sectors, such as retail, consumer goods, logistics, and manufacturing. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University. During her time in Hong Kong, she also worked at DLA Piper.

“For me, the ability to work with and support founders in growing their businesses is one of the most exciting aspects of being part of the ABGF team. Having observed numerous SMEs both professionally and personally, I deeply appreciate the passion, energy, and hard work required to build a business. ABGF is unique in that it enables founders to benefit from our expertise and experience while maintaining control of what they have built.”

Elliot Foote
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Elliot Foote
Investment Associate
Elliot Foote
Investment Associate

Elliot is a member of the ABGF investment team.

Elliot joined ABGF from LEK Consulting, a management consultancy firm. As a trained economist, he has also worked at the United Nations and The Centre for Social and Economic Progress (formerly Brookings India) in New Delhi, India.

Elliot has worked with private equity firms on transactional due diligence across a wide array of industries. He has also worked with organisations of all sizes to develop and implement growth strategies and operational improvements. Elliot received his Master of Economics from Monash University, and his Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance) from the University of Melbourne.

“The most exciting and rewarding experiences in my career have come from collaborating with growing companies to assist them in realising their goals and ambitions. ABGF’s investment mandate allows us to provide the growth capital these businesses need while leaving the business in control, with a commitment to offering ongoing support as needed. It is a unique model in the Australian market, and I am excited to be involved.”

Andrew Ford
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Andrew Ford
CFO Advisor
Andrew Ford
CFO Advisor

Andrew is part of the ABGF portfolio team.

Andrew joined ABGF with over 20 years’ experience as a CFO and senior finance executive across ASX-listed and private equity-backed businesses.

Andrew provides hands-on CFO advisory support to ABGF portfolio companies, including interim CFO services, financial reporting and forecasting, board and investor engagement, capital management, and transaction support.

He has held CFO roles at Scipher Technologies, Damstra Technology and Godfreys, and brings deep expertise in finance transformation, M&A execution, and private equity transactions across several sectors including manufacturing, retail, technology and industrials. He began his career at Deloitte and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

“Helping leadership teams bring discipline, strategic focus and confidence to their financial decision-making is where I can make the greatest impact. At ABGF, I work side-by-side with founders and management to strengthen financial systems, navigate transactions and build the foundations for long-term growth.”

Neve Glowacki
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Neve Glowacki
Origination Manager
Neve Glowacki
Origination Manager

Neve is a member of ABGF’s Origination team.

Neve joined ABGF from Morgan Stanley, where she worked in the Equity Capital Markets and Consumer Industrials Coverage teams. She previously worked as an investment analyst at a long-only equity fund.

At Morgan Stanley, Neve played a key role in several high-profile transactions, including IPOs, ASX200 equity financings, and M&A deals. Her work spanned various industries, allowing her to collaborate closely with founders and executives to deliver impactful outcomes.

Neve holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney, majoring in Finance and Marketing.

“No one brings more passion and energy to their work than a company founder does. Being part of their journey through pivotal moments is what makes working at ABGF so rewarding. Supporting Australia’s SME community lets me witness the innovation and resilience of these businesses while helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities.”

Martin Houdek
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Martin Houdek
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Martin Houdek
Marketing & Communications Specialist

Martin is a member of the ABGF marketing team.

Martin joined ABGF from Outcast, a San Francisco-based integrated marketing and communications agency. Before that, he worked in credit derivatives trading at Bank of America Securities (formerly Bank of America Merrill Lynch). 

At Outcast, Martin supported entrepreneurs in shaping and elevating their stories. He also provided strategic marketing and communications counsel to venture capital firms such as Accel, supporting its portfolio companies and the brand itself.

Martin’s perspective was shaped by an international education and upbringing. Now in Melbourne but originally from Sydney, Martin also lived in the UK for 13 years where he obtained a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Defence, Development and Diplomacy, both from Durham University.

“Having worked with industry-leading startups, I was consistently humbled by the focus and determination of entrepreneurs to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. I also witnessed firsthand how partnerships with engaged and empathetic investors could accelerate the growth of ambitious entrepreneurs. It is a pleasure to be joining a team that is so deeply committed to helping Australian businesses thrive with strategic long-term capital and expertise.”

Jason Knott
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Jason Knott
Risk and Compliance Associate
Jason Knott
Risk and Compliance Associate

Jason is a member of the ABGF legal team.

Jason joined ABGF from Cape Town based Digital Outsource Services where he gained extensive experience in online transactional risk, fraud management and regulatory compliance, specialising in AML/CFT. 

Jason grew up in Johannesburg where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Business management through the University of Pretoria and Honours in Strategic Management through the University of South Africa.

“There is an ever-growing need for businesses to stay abreast of regulation. I am excited to be joining ABGF, where I can utilise and enhance my expertise to strengthen the risk and compliance framework of the fund through its growth phase. It is a privilege to be part of an initiative that aims to reward and nurture innovation and increase the prosperity of the community it serves.”

Helen Li
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Helen Li
Senior Accountant
Helen Li
Senior Accountant

Helen is a member of the ABGF finance team.

Helen joined ABGF after six years with ASX-listed SME merchants payment service provider Tyro Payments, where she held various finance roles including operations, reporting and APRA regulatory compliance.

Helen is a certificated public accountant (CPA Australia) who has a Bachelor of Material and Science Engineering from the Beijing Forestry University and a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of New South Wales.

“I was fascinated by ABGF’s mission and its unique value proposition to help SME businesses grow with patient capital and other resources required for their development in return for a minority interest – so unlike other traditional banks or private equity. This will have a positive economic and social impact on the wider community. I am thrilled to be part of this journey by sharing my experiences and knowledge to make it happen.”

Ashley March
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Ashley March
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Ashley March
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Ashley joined ABGF team from Yarra Valley Grammar as Executive Assistant to our CEO, to support the leadership team and to assist with office management.

Ashley held EA roles among C-Suite executives in multiple industries including financial, retail, hospitality and academic organisations in Sydney and Melbourne. This has provided her with an invaluable opportunity to operate under different structures and management styles, being the critical point of contact between senior internal and external stakeholders.

“I am so thrilled to be part of ABGF, a company that will make a difference to many Australian SMEs which I am incredibly passionate about. It is amazing to be able to work alongside a dedicated team and in a company with a strong culture of integrity and ethical behaviour, delivering outstanding business results to all those inspiring entrepreneurs out there. For me, this is the dream job.”

Mark Massara
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Mark Massara
Finance Manager - Portfolio
Mark Massara
Finance Manager - Portfolio
Mark is a member of the ABGF finance team.
Mark joined ABGF from Australian Unity to assist the working group shareholders to establish and incorporate the fund. He previously held senior management roles in the agribusiness sector and a start-up fund. Prior to this, Mark spent 10 years in London working at hedge fund GLG Partners on their flagship credit and convertible bond funds.

Having worked in both financial services and commercial businesses, Mark brings a broad range of experience including valuations, risk and operations. Mark is a Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ) and graduated with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting & Information Systems from Edith Cowan University.

“I’m inspired by entrepreneurs who take a leap of faith to build something of their own. I enjoy working as part of the ABGF team that has built a fund offering not just long-term patient capital, but also access to a strategic network to support growth. It’s rewarding to help create something with real impact for SMEs and the broader community.”

Amy McLaughlin
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Amy McLaughlin
Business Support Officer
Amy McLaughlin
Business Support Officer
Amy is a member of the ABGF portfolio and talent team.
She joined ABGF from a background in creative agencies to support the Sydney office’s operations and day-to-day organisation.

Amy has held office management and PA roles across a mix of creative and corporate environments — including 5-star hospitality, advertising, strategy, and packaging. She’s known for creating calm, well-organised workspaces and for supporting both clients and colleagues with confidence and care.

She holds a degree in Communications from the University of New England in Armidale.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside a team so passionate about what they do. ABGF’s energy and purpose make the office a genuinely rewarding place to be.”

 

Bianca Abela
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Bianca Abela
Business Support Officer
Bianca Abela
Business Support Officer

Bianca is a member of the ABGF portfolio and talent team.

Bianca joined ABGF after ten years in lending and financial services from Astute Sydney to assist with the operations of the Sydney office. 

Bianca comes from a background of office management and PA roles in finance, a charity and a medical practice.

Exposure to different business types, an array of stakeholders, and various operational challenges has developed her skills in organising the office by being a hospitable and effective communicator . From winning “Support Person of the Year” at Astute, she is pursuing a Master of Business Administration with the University of Technology Sydney.

‘The Team at ABGF are a wonderful group of experts in their field and I am glad that I can support them to be at their best. The truly honest and transparent culture that reflects the core values and principles of ABGF’s vision and mission is perfectly represented by their people.’

Sarah Roughead
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Sarah Roughead
Senior Lawyer
Sarah Roughead
Senior Lawyer

Sarah is a member of the ABGF legal team.

Sarah joined ABGF from Baker McKenzie, where she worked as an M&A lawyer in Melbourne and Chicago.  She has worked with businesses ranging from SMEs to global businesses across a wide range of sectors.  Her legal experience spans all kinds of corporate transactions, including investment, integration, and commercial contracting. 

 

Sarah has a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University.

“When the opportunity came up to join ABGF, I jumped!  Having grown up on a farm in regional Victoria, being exposed to a broad range of SMEs, I have seen first-hand the essential role that SMEs play in our communities and their potential for substantial growth and success. The Australian Business Growth Fund provides a unique opportunity to support SMEs with patient capital whilst leaving management in control.  In my role, I’m excited to work alongside SMEs and implement reasonable and fit for purpose legal arrangements around investments.”  

Munpreet Soomal
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Munpreet Soomal
Investment Manager
Munpreet Soomal
Investment Manager

Munpreet is a member of the ABGF investment team.

Munpreet joined ABGF from Luminis Partners, an independent corporate advisory firm. Prior to Luminis Partners, she worked as a corporate lawyer at Clifford Chance in Sydney and in Hong Kong.

Munpreet’s expertise includes advising businesses on legal and commercial matters across a variety of sectors. Munpreet has a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from Bond University; and also spent time studying abroad at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

“I enjoy working with a wide variety of businesses, helping them manage significant commercial transactions. My work at ABGF allows me to use the skills I’ve gained in my career to not only help businesses on their growth journey but also help support Australia’s SME community, economic growth and employment. Our minority ownership model allows for true partnership with businesses as we support them to succeed.”

Tom White
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Tom White
Investment Associate
Tom White
Investment Associate

Tom is a member of the ABGF investment team.

Tom joined ABGF after co-founding the technology company, Maxwell Plus, where he led sales and operations. Prior to Maxwell Plus, he was an Associate with McKinsey, working across corporate strategy, private equity and company turnarounds.

Tom holds a Bachelor in both Mechanical Engineering and Commerce and has worked on a variety of large infrastructure projects across gas, power and mining.

“I’m here for the founders. I want to help great founders get the capital they need so they can keep doing what they do best. It is inspiring to work with them and to even be a small part of their company’s story is a privilege.”

Elana Rubin, AM
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Elana Rubin, AM
Chair
Elana Rubin, AM
Chair

Ms Elana Rubin joined the board of ABGF in 2024 as an independent director and Chair.

Elana is currently chair of the Victorian Managed Insurance Agency and a non-executive director of Dexus, Telstra, Slater & Gordon and the RBA Governance Board, in addition to several unlisted companies. She is a past Chair of AustralianSuper and Afterpay.

As an experienced chair and non-executive director, Elana’s director roles have spanned superannuation, investment, professional services, technology, telecommunications, insurance, government and financial services. She works with companies that have a clear purpose, a desire to grow, strong values and an ability to deliver a positive impact on the communities they operate in.

In 2021, Elana received a Member of the Order of Australia for services to corporate governance and community and was granted a Life Fellow by the AICD in 2022. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and a member of Chief Executive Women.

Ms Rubin said: “ABGF is based on a unique public-private partnership model, with a strong purpose to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the SME sector. There is a clear gap in the market for long term patient (minority) growth capital at scale to support small-medium businesses to grow and thrive. Providing these businesses with the capital to grow is vital to support innovation, technology, and skills.”

Grant Cairns
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Grant Cairns
CBA Representative
Grant Cairns
CBA Representative

Mr Grant Cairns joined the board of ABGF at its inception in 2020 and is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Grant is Commonwealth Bank’s Executive General Manager for Business Lending. Grant joined the Commonwealth Bank in 2005 and is a strong believer in the resilience and innovative capacity of Australian SME businesses.

He has broad experience across Business Banking, including senior leadership roles in Business Lending, Regional & Agribusiness, Transaction Banking Finance serving key sectors of the Australian economy. Grant has completed AsiaLink’s Leaders Program and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting, Finance, as well as a Master of Applied Finance. He is also a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a director of FINSIA and is a graduate of the AICD company director course.

“Australian SMEs contribute over 50% of Australia’s GDP and are critical to Australia’s economic growth and recovery. To help grow, SMEs need capital and the ABGF is an ideal growth capital provider and partner to help successful and fast growing businesses employ more Australian’s, invest in expanding operations and open new markets”.

Roxanne Kelley, PSM
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Roxanne Kelley, PSM
Commonwealth Government Representative
Roxanne Kelley, PSM
Commonwealth Government Representative

Ms Roxanne Kelly joined the board of ABGF at its inception in 2020 and is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and the People & Culture Committee.

Roxanne was the Deputy Secretary International and Foreign Investment Group in the Department of The Treasury until her retirement in March 2025. She is a career public servant with over 40 years’ experience working at State and Commonwealth government levels, in social policy, national security and central policy agencies with responsibilities that have covered service delivery, cross-government policy development, foreign investment, regulatory compliance and enforcement, organisational re-design, change management, corporate governance and HR. Roxanne has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) recognising her contribution to the public service over her career. She is a graduate of the AICD company director course.

Post her public service career, Ms Kelley facilitates executive leadership groups and is a member of several Commonwealth government entity Audit and Risk Committees.

“ABGF, as a public-private partnership between the Federal Government and six leading banks, is helping Australian small and medium-sized businesses access capital to create jobs and accelerate economic growth.”

Brett Moore
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Brett Moore
NAB Representative
Brett Moore
NAB Representative

Mr Brett Moore joined the board of ABGF in 2023 and is a member of the People & Culture Committee.

Brett is the Executive, Private Wealth South in the Business and Private Bank of NAB. He has  over  17 years’ experience in financial services. Previously, Brett was the Executive, Specialised Industries in the Business and Private Bank of NAB. He was also Executive, Execution responsible for NAB’s capital investment slate and governing the execution of NAB’s strategy. Brett has also held board roles as Chair of State Sports Centres Trust, Vice Chair Equestrian Australia and Director of Athletics Victoria.

“I am delighted to be able to support Australian small and medium enterprises who truly are the lifeblood of our economy and communities. ABGF is uniquely placed to partner with entrepreneurial Australian businesses to help them realise their potential.”

Catherine Robson
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Catherine Robson
Non-Executive Director
Catherine Robson
Non-Executive Director

Ms Catherine Robson joined the board of ABGF in 2024 as an independent director and is Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Catherine is a non-executive director and early-stage venture investor. She is a non-executive Director of ASX-listed companies EQT Holdings Limited and Lumos Diagnostics, and chair of Equity Trustees Superannuation Ltd. She is a non-executive director of NGM Group, one of Australia’s largest customer owned banking groups, operating the Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent Building Society Brands. She was previously the non-executive chair of SCALE Investors, which invests seed capital in exceptional female led start-ups.

Catherine commenced her career at Macquarie Group and after 11 years as a senior adviser with NAB Private Wealth, she founded the financial services firm, Affinity Private.

“Small, medium and growth stage businesses are the engine room of the Australian economy. As a nation, we need this sector to thrive to create market-based solutions to our most pressing challenges and create the diversity which will enable our economy to be resilient in a rapidly changing world. In addition to creating high quality, future-focused jobs, entrepreneurship enables the social mobility required to unlock the full potential of the Australian population.

I know it can be a lonely journey for business owners. Having a partner who not only brings well timed investment capital, but deep expertise, experience and founder empathy can be a game changer. I have been very impressed by the capability of ABGF’s team and the support structures and network that surround investee companies to see them thrive. I am delighted to be part of the team to help ABGF achieve its important mission.”

Jenefer Stewart
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Jenefer Stewart
ANZ Representative
Jenefer Stewart
ANZ Representative

Ms Jenefer Stewart joined the board of ABGF in 2023 and is a member of the People & Culture Committee.

Jenefer is the General Manager, Strategic Delivery, Commercial at ANZ. She is a senior executive and non-executive director with over 30 years of leadership experience in Australian banking, specialising in business banking, strategic transformation, and sustainable growth for SMEs.

Jenefer’s board and governance experience includes currently serving as Chair of ANZ Global Services and Operations Manila Inc., and previously as a Non-Executive Director of ANZ LMI, contributing to governance of credit risk and financial performance in a regulated insurance entity.

Jenefer holds a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Master of Business Administration.
“I am passionate about supporting Australian businesses to grow and thrive. ABGF provides an important option for them to access capital in a unique way and so I am proud to be a part of the organisation and help spread the understanding of what can be offered.”

Kee Wong
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Kee Wong
Non-Executive Director
Kee Wong
Non-Executive Director

Mr Kee Wong joined the board of ABGF in 2024 as an independent director and is Chair of the People & Culture Committee and a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Kee is an experienced Non–Executive Director with almost 40 years of senior executive and Director roles. Kee currently serves as an independent Non–Executive Director in public listed companies, government enterprise, private businesses and for–purpose organisations.

Kee is a serial entrepreneur and investor in start-ups and growth companies globally in sectors including technology, services, retail, food and beverage and property.

Kee chairs the Governance of Innovation and Technology Panel for AICD and served as a Board member of AICD for seven years between 2017 to 2023. Today, Kee remains a non-Executive Director for Car Group (Carsales) globally, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Nomura Research Institute (one of the largest Japanese Consulting & Services company listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange), the Walter Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and is a council member of the University of Melbourne.

“ABGF is an investment fund that is unique in Australia with a mission to help grow small and medium sized businesses which in turn grow the economy and prosperity of Australia. The fund’s focus on entrepreneurs and Australian business owners resonates with my value and purpose. As an investor and entrepreneur myself, I believe my experience can contribute to the mission of ABGF and I am delighted to be part of this mission-driven investment fund, working with like-minded, highly capable and driven individuals”.

 

Duncan Woods
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Duncan Woods
Westpac Representative
Duncan Woods
Westpac Representative

Mr Duncan Woods joined the board of ABGF in 2021 and is a member of the People & Culture Committee.

Duncan is Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director of Consumer Finance at Westpac Group. Prior to joining Westpac, Duncan spent the past 20 years in banking and consulting predominantly across Asia and Africa. Much of his work has involved developing and executing strategies to support SMEs by understanding how banks’ solutions and service models need to adapt to meet their unique needs.

He previously worked for McKinsey, Oliver Wyman, Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank and Asia Commercial Bank (Vietnam) in a range of advisory, strategy, transformation and business line roles predominantly in Consumer and SME Banking. He brings experience from working with local banks, global banks and public sector institutions across multiple countries on key issues facing SMEs and the solutions they need across payments, funding and day-to-day operation of their businesses.

He has Bachelor and Master Degrees of Economics from Cambridge University and University College London, respectively, and was a Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University.
“I am excited to play a part in supporting the development of small businesses which are key drivers of GDP growth and employment in Australia. Segments of SMEs continue to find access to finance from banks a challenge despite strong business plans and potential, and therefore I am very supportive of ABGF’s mission to partner with growth businesses to provide the valuable combination of both finance and deep expertise.”

Why we exist

We exist to back the ambition of Australian SMEs.

Today, we are one of the leading investors of growth capital in Australia. We invest in Australian entrepreneurs, disruptors and growth oriented businesses to unlock economic benefits for all Australians. Our mission goes beyond financial investment. We bring together capital, capability, and connections, acting as a catalyst for growth in the Australian SME sector.

Find out if your business is eligible for growth capital.