RICHARD SYMON

Richard’s experience in stock markets has grown over 30 years to include Member of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and Executive Director of Prudential-Bache Securities (Australia), one of Australia’s largest full service stockbrokers of its day. Through this period, Richard assisted in the listing of and investment in a significant number of companies as well as developing the client services division later to be awarded as "Best Retail Broker" by Personal Investment magazine.

Richard recently relinquished the position of Executive Chairman of listed MDS Financial Group, joining as Director in December 2008.  MDS is a diversified financial services organisation and ASX participant stockbroker (D2MX) which Richard oversaw the merging of with Sequoia Financial Group (ASX:SEQ). 

Prior to joining MDS Richard was the CEO of NSX Ltd (ASX:NSX) the operator of the National Stock Exchange. He also served in roles as Executive Director of the Securities and Derivatives Industry Association (now Stockbrokers Association of Australia - SAA). Richard co-founded and was CEO of Sharetrade Australian Stockbroking Ltd which was sold to PBL (Packer) listed subsidiary eCorp and merged to bring Charles Schwab to Australia in 2000.

Harish bisam

Harish is a business professional based in Melbourne. Holding Directorships in both Integrated Accountants, Integrated finance, Bisam Consulting. he has been a key player in driving growth from sole trader through to having offices in six states. Harish has more than ten years experience in business advisory and taxation, IT consulting, investment advisory, audit and assurance, tax consulting, overseas investments advisory and private wealth advisory.
 
With personal experience as an entrepreneur combined with his expertise in taxation minimisation, business advisory and implementing financial strategies, accounting, auditing, SMSF, investments, pooled investments and financial planning, he is perfectly placed to help like-minded business professionals optimise their financial position. 
 
He has been a pivotal contributor to Australia and India’s business and sporting collaborations, having assisted on the Free Trade Agreement - Export to India  and the Investment and Developmental Strategies in New States(India). He was also involved in the design and organisation of the 20/20 Cricket tournament, successfully collaborating with Cricket Victoria and Ken Jacobs AO.

Rodney hannington

Rodney has been working in marketing and strategy services in consumer health and fast moving consumer goods in Asia Pacific for over 15 years. He has valuable international experience in Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and South East Asia, Middle East / Africa, Russia and Ukraine markets. Working and consulting with leading Consulting firms in Asia, Mondelez and Novartis and living in Australia, China and Singapore, he has developed extensive experience with a strong network in the health and food industries.

He is a strategic and innovative consumer health marketer with deep experience in China and Australia. He has led and been a part of several significant company acquisitions and new product launches in China and Australia as a board member, consultant and employee. He has strong interpersonal skills with broad cultural experience dealing with diverse cross-functional teams. After two decades of overseas living and travel Rodney is now located in Australia and looking forward to bringing both his Asia Pacific experience and Australian knowledge and expertise to the board. Mr Hannington graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and has been a member of the Monash University Department of Marketing Industry Advisory Board since 2013.

ilmars Draudins

With a career spanning over 25 years in the service and information technology sectors plus another 20 years of investment banking experience, Ilmars has used his expertise to add value to many high growth companies.  A particular focus is to develop appropriate strategies which will assist high growth companies to achieve their potential.  One key aspect is the ability to raise capital through an extensive network of investors, market participants and alliance partners.  Ilmars has a great deal of experience in general management, senior project management, selling, marketing, capital raising, IPO’s and strategic consulting.

He has lead numerous teams that have successfully conducted IPO’s, Private Placements, Capital Raisings, M&A project work, Commercialisation Strategies and involvement in the strategic growth of companies and realising value for shareholders.  He also has involvement with Asian companies and assisting them with their strategies and their Australian presence.

Ilmars is a director and chair of a number of Private and Public companies and uses his experience to assist these companies with their strategic direction and execution.  Ilmars is also a NOMAD for the NSX and the Responsible Manager for 2 AFSL Licences.  The extensive network and range of contacts that Ilmars has developed provide further assistance to these companies and their growth strategies. 

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (University of NSW), an MBA (Monash University),  a Certificate III in Financial Markets (Securities Institute) and a Certificate in Direct Marketing (ADMA).

robert relf

Robert is a specialist in risk for engineering projects and cyber systems.  This has been for than twenty years.  He has also led several major projects for major industry changes in the housing industry introducing the star ratings scheme as well as the CAD interchange systems for the automotive industry; STEP as well as many international marketing projects. Robert also have extensive experience with Federal, State Government and industry associations in for introducing and managing new technologies. This includes project management and setting up risk  and asset registers as well as feedback of customer support.

He has extensive experience in undertaking and analysis of hazardous procedures together with the appropriate risk assessment techniques and resultant training needs, with significant international and national experience within infrastructure, transport and government organisations (HAZOP,FMEA). Risk assessments for constructability, business cases and project reviews (Gateway). Further, he has presented at two National Conferences concerned with risk practices for safety and one IDC conference for outlining the components and applications of SIL(Safety Integrity Levels) in engineering design.

Currently Robert is a member for the College of Leadership and Management (Vic) for Engineers Australia after being the Chair for the risk engineers for four years.  He is also a risk adviser to International House, University of Melbourne.