Nicholas Smedley
Chair
Nicholas Smedley is an experienced Investment Banker and M&A Advisor, with 14 years’ experience at UBS and KPMG. He has worked on M&A transactions in the UK, Hong Kong, China, and Australia with transactions ranging from the A$9bn defence of WMC Resources through to the investment of $65m into Catch.com.au. Has previously supported Mental Health charities with 6 years on the Haven Foundation Board. During Nicholas’ time at the Haven Foundation he helped deliver its first on balance sheet housing project in Frankston with a strong financial benefit to the Foundation. Nicholas currently oversees investments in the Property, Aged care, Technology and Medical Technology space and is Chairman of Respiri Limited (ASX: RSH). Key areas of expertise include M&A, Debt structuring, Corporate governance and innovation. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University.
Andrew Larsen
Andrew is an active early stage investor through his roles as the Investment Director for Larsen Ventures and Partner at Tempus Partners.
Andrew is the Chairman at HealthTech startup Healthengine, and Board Observer for EdTech startups Go1, EdStart and Wonde.
He is an active Mentor, Judge and Advisor in the Australian Startup ecosystem.
Andrew has a strong interest in mental health and is keen to drive innovation and investment to the sector.
Daniel Mazzetti
Daniel started his career in project management, working for tier one developers working on developments that have shaped Melbourne’s skyline health precinct.
Daniel is now running his own business, while also consulting for various developers and VC firms.
Daniel has a passion for improving the mental health of all Australians, by driving innovation and funding in the area. He believes strongly in psychedelic-assisted therapies to expand the treatment paradigm for managing mental illnesses and is delighted to support Mind Medicine Australia.
Michael Norster
Michael is currently the founder executive chairman of the Blue group of private companies. The group owns electricity retailer Blue NRG and related entities in renewable energy and energy value adding products
Michael also operates his family’s private investment group ‘Energy Direct Investments’ (EDI). EDI specialises in energy, information technology and telecommunications sector investments. EDI is the largest shareholder in listed software company AD1 Holdings: a software and IT services company that operates multiple platforms across a number of business units. EDI is also currently a seed investor in a number of other information technology companies.
Prior to 1997 Michael practiced as a commercial solicitor with degrees in law and pharmacology from Monash University. In 1997 Michael founded the Australian Energy group of companies that traded under the name Powerdirect. He was the major shareholder in that group from ASX listing in 2001 until its completed sale in 2006.
Marcus H. Rose
(F FIN, FAICD, AREI)
Marcus is an Australian investment banker and investor. He is the founder and Chairman of Concept Financial Services Group, a boutique investment bank and investment group that specialises in M&A, capital raisings and financial advisory services.
He is a former National President of Jewish National Fund Australia Limited (JNF Australia), the pre-eminent Jewish environmental organisation in Australia and President of Letter of the Law Incorporated, the Australian chapter of Shurat Hadin, the globally renowned Israeli law firm that litigates terrorist organisations on behalf of victims of terrorism and combats Boycott, Divestment and Sanction groups aimed at the State of Israel.
Marcus is a former director of Australian Energy Limited, Regis Resources Limited, Arafura Resources Limited, Henty Corporation Limited, Carlton Football Club Limited, Carlton Cricket and Football Social Club Limited and Whitelion.