Mr Gardiner has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services, accounting and banking industries in Australia, Asia and the UK.  He first joined HLB Mann Judd Sydney in late 2023 in a business development capacity which has now been formalised into the new role.  Peter Gardiner’s main area of focus will be driving opportunities in the corporate advisory division as well as providing a framework for best of breed processes within the firm.

He joined HLB Mann Judd from Saltire Capital Partners where he was partner and also spent four years with Findex where he was executive managing partner – specialist services. He has also worked at EY (formerly Ernst & Young) and ANZ Corporate Bank.

Mr Fittler says Mr Gardiner’s appointment has been a significant step in the firm’s ambitious growth plans.

“Our goal over the next two years is to have 26 partners, and $50 million in revenue, by 2026.  This is a major initiative for us and Peter’s appointment forms a significant stepping stone in achieving these ambitions.

“Peter brings a breadth and depth of experience in business strategy and revenue growth, corporate development and advisory, and M&A activity, and allows us to build on the strength and reputation of HLB Mann Judd, and its focus on client service,” Mr Fittler says.

Peter Gardiner says he is looking forward to being part of the next phase of growth at HLB Mann Judd.

“I have always enjoyed a challenge and look forward to assisting in driving the evolution of a major mid-tier accounting firm, at a time when there is significant change and disruption.

“HLB Mann Judd is a stable, high-performing firm with a significant footprint in the funds management industry.”

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Ben, who previously worked at St George Bank, is an expert in providing targeted debt advisory solutions in order to support business growth. He has 13 years of corporate and commercial business banking experience.

There have also been two additional leadership team changes:

• Rahavan Yoganathan has been appointed as Managing Partner, Corporate Finance. This new role will see him taking on a company-wide leadership role, working out of the Sydney office.
• David Ward has been appointed as Senior Partner and Head of M&A and will focus on originating and executing M&A opportunities across the firm.

Debt-Advisory

The Debt Advisory team, led by Ben Upton, will use its knowledge of how banks operate and view risk in order to cut through the associated jargon and provide valuable advice to clients on the nature of debt management.

For this, the team will leverage its extensive network of relationships across the banking industry, and draw upon significant experience and knowledge, to provide insights that assist with all aspects of how a business works with financial institutions.

The Debt Advisory team will provide the following services:

• ‘Health Check’ of current financing arrangements
• Facilitate finance for acquisitions or investment in business growth
• Liaise with existing financiers to promote restructure of debt facilities or renegotiate structure
• Provide advice on the most relevant lending structure, interest rates and fees, terms, covenants, security and amortisation
• Negotiate with financiers on any disputes or possible covenant breaches to ensure continuing relationships
• Merger and acquisition advice and funding
• Maximising debt facilities and leverage balance sheet to remove “property” security

Peter Gardiner, Executive Manager Partner- Specialist Services, said: “Our corporate finance practice continues to be the leader of Australasian mid-market transactions. We are excited to grow the market facing presence of our corporate finance team and add a new capability to our business. Debt capital markets are increasingly complex and difficult to access. Relying on traditional banking relationships is also fraught with risk and conflict. We expect many existing and new clients to take advantage of Ben’s position as a trusted adviser with knowledge and relationships across the debt capital markets.”

Ben Upton, said: “The opportunity to join Crowe Horwath is exciting, my dealings with the business over the past have been genuine and insightful. I am invigorated by the innovative and progressive approach Crowe Horwath has taken to assist clients with their financial journey. I believe my 13 years of commercial and corporate banking experience can provide perspective and assistance in navigating the ins and outs of a business’ banking requirements, and provide value-add to client interactions with financial institutions.”

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David Ward, a former Transaction Advisory Services Partner with EY and Trevor Pascall, a former Tax Partner with KPMG’s tax division, have been appointed as Corporate Finance and Tax Advisory Principals respectively.

Findex Global Head of Business Development, Peter Gardiner said that these two appointments were part of Crowe Horwath’s move to meet the increasing demand for corporate and tax advisory services across the firm’s national platform as part of the transition to offer all clients a comprehensive Family Office service.

“In short, the Family Office model involves providing clients with the opportunity to access a wide range of financial-related services from one trusted source at a competitive price.

“We are pleased to recruit such great talent and though they are based in Queensland, they will have a national focus.
“These appointments also reflect the increasing significance of Queensland within our network. The Sunshine State’s diverse range of agri-industries represents an ongoing opportunity for Crowe Horwath to further grow in the corporate finance and tax advisory space in this market.

“David and Trevor each bring a wealth of experience from large and trusted organisations; the kind of people we really need to partner with our clients and add value,” he said.

David Ward joins Crowe Horwath from Credo Advisory Partners, which he founded in July 2015 as an independent boutique corporate advisory firm specialising in the provision of Merger & Acquisition (M&A) advice. Prior to that he had a long career with EY Transaction Advisory Services as the head of its Queensland M&A operations.

“I believe my solid experience in transaction execution, particularly in the mid-market corporate and private equity sectors, can bring a lot to the table for Crowe Horwath,” added Ward.

Trevor Pascall was previously a Tax Partner at KPMG, dealing with the broad spectrum of tax matters from international through to SME tax issues. He was also the Lead Tax Partner for Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) in Queensland, chair of the KPMG National ENR Tax Technical & Training Committee and a member of the KPMG National Tax Management Services Group.

Pascall has also worked at the Australian Tax Office (ATO) where he held roles of Tax Counsel, Director of Complex Legal Recovery and was a Sydney ATO Executive Board Member.

“This brings an exciting change in my career – the next chapter – that effectively builds on my many years in tax.
Having started my career in the ATO and successfully transitioning to a Big Four professional firm, my objective is to leverage my significant and varied tax knowledge and skills through to the Crowe Horwath client base across the country.

I strongly believe in what Crowe Horwath, as part of Findex, is aiming to achieve through the Family Office and I’m excited to be a part of the journey.” Pascall said.

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Yasser El-Ansary

Crowe Horwath, one of Australia’s leading accountancy firms, and the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCAL) have announced a partnership centred on the provision of foundation level private equity education for AVCAL members.

AVCAL, the national association representing the private equity and venture capital industry in Australia, has appointed the Crowe Horwath Corporate Finance team as the event series partner of its successful Private Equity 101 (PE101) professional development course for an initial period of up to two years.

AVCAL Chief Executive Officer, Yasser El-Ansary said foundation level programs such as PE101 are critically important to the private equity and venture capital industry, because they allow for the next generation of leaders to acquire the skills they need to succeed, while at the same time helping to foster strong networks that will continue throughout their career.

“We have worked with the Crowe Horwath Corporate Finance team for some time, and we know they have the depth of experience and skills to deliver significant value to members of our industry going through the PE101 program,” said Mr El-Ansary.

“The AVCAL and Crowe Horwath relationship will be a true partnership, as much of the training provided by Crowe Horwath will be carried out with the active involvement of a number of private equity and venture capital fund managers, who will share their first-hand investment experience with course participants,” Mr El-Ansary added.

Findex Global Head of Business Development, Peter Gardiner said both Findex and Crowe Horwath are looking forward to working with AVCAL.

“We know the private equity space very well. We are looking forward to working alongside senior fund managers and sharing our insights and skills with new participants into the industry.

“Crowe Horwath’s Corporate Finance team, led by Andrew Fressl and Rahavan Yoganathan will have prime responsibility for the project.

“Our Corporate Finance division is an outstanding team with an outstanding record across many sectors. Today’s announcement is recognition of this fact.

“Everyone here is looking forward to our collaboration with AVCAL,” Mr Gardiner said.

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Peter Gardiner, formerly ANZ’s Head of Origination, Corporate Bank, has been appointed Global Head of Business Development at Findex, expanding the Findex leadership team to seven.

Findex has $17 billion under advice and is Australia’s 5th largest accounting group through ownership and management of the Crowe Horwath accounting practice in Australia and New Zealand. Other Findex businesses include Centric Wealth, Financial Index Wealth Accountants, Prescott Securities and MOVO online financial advice.

Findex CEO Spiro Paule said Mr Gardiner is an exceptional business person with background in banking, accounting and financial planning.

“Peter has deep experience in both ‘Big 4s’. He held senior a position at the ANZ Bank for the past five years and prior to that was with Ernst and Young in a senior client-facing position.”

“He was also a founding director of a UK financial planning business, and importantly implemented a non-aligned fee for service model which, two decades ago, was not common practice in his native Scotland, where the business was based.”

“Peter has a passion for business that is built on his belief that success is driven by championing the client. This approach is in total alignment with the Findex philosophy.”

“His experience across the three financial advisory sectors equips him with a skill set appropriate for our business as we roll out a unique, holistic financial services offering from all Findex brands.”

“The Findex business model is to make available to all our clients a comprehensive suite of financial services under one roof, delivered and managed by a key trusted advisor.”

“Peter’s experiences and insight will play an important role in this process as we take our group to the next level, ” Mr. Paule said.

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