Investment Perspective Forum 2026 Speakers

Andrew has been a financial advisor for 27 years working for Nevitts, Macquarie Bank (as an Associate Director) and more recently as a director for his business DP Wealth Advisory in Toowoomba, Queensland. His area of speciality & interest is Exchange Traded Funds. He is a regular contributor in the media include Ausbiz. Livewire Markets and ABC Local Radio. He is active in the local Toowoomba community including being Past President of the Chamber of Commerce, Former Deputy Chair of the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and currently serves as Chair of the Empire Theatre, the largest performing arts complex in regional Australia.

James has had a long career with a number of top tier firms including State Street, Deutsche Bank and, more recently, Morgan Stanley. He has worked in Europe and the US as Head of Investment Platforms, James was responsible for building Morgan Stanley Australia’s global SMA solution and managed key relationships with Praemium and Ausmaq.

Sebastian is based in the Brisbane office. Prior to joining Koda, he spent 18 years in the US at GE Capital, Bernstein Global Wealth Management, and the last 11 years at helm of the largest book of private client business in the San Francisco office at Bank of America Private Bank (formerly US Trust). Through his extensive experience and global perspective, Seb can add value in almost every situation, but he has focused his business on helping private clients and their families manage a liquidity event, facilitate a transaction, or transfer wealth to family or charity. He has deep and unique insights into US markets and their role in growing long term family wealth, and since moving back to Australia, he can deliver invaluable advice to US ex-pats, having a full understanding of their tax and regulatory obligations.

Seb rounds out his services by working with not-for-profit organisations, having sat on Boards and Finance Committees for over a decade.

 Seb’s studies include:

• Executive Education from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania,
• Graduate Certificate in Accounting and Financial Management (Accounting and Commercial Law) from Charles Sturt University, and
• Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance) at the University of New South Wales.

John Paul (JP) joined LGT Wealth Management from Westpac Global Investment Services, where he was an investment director, responsible for the implementation and delivery of the direct wealth proposition for self-directed clients of Westpac Private Bank and St George Private across Queensland. With over 20 years’ financial services experience, he has a proven track record in providing investment advice, opportunities, insights and thought leadership to institutional, corporate, family offices and high-net-worth investors. His investment and risk management advice incorporates traditional asset classes, structured solutions and alternative investments.

Kazaur is responsible for the management and research of investments in the area of global fixed income.

Kazaur joined Federated Hermes in 2019 and has more than 19 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Federated Hermes, Kazaur worked in Emerging Market Private Credit at Deutsche Bank and VTB Capital. He also worked in Credit Risk at Bank of America and in the Debt Advisory Group at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Kazaur earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of London, UK. He is an ACA ICAEW-qualified Chartered Accountant.

Richard is a Partner at CVC, having joined the firm in 2007. He is based in Sydney, where he leads CVC’s Australia business. Prior to joining CVC, Richard worked in Morgan Stanley’s M&A department. He holds a BA from the University of Oxford

Phil has over 20 years of experience in analysing financial markets and securities, along with a decade dedicated to managing portfolios. He is a leading figure in the Australian credit industry and possesses deep expertise across all major credit segments, including listed and unlisted securities, rated and unrated assets, as well as investment and sub-investment grade bonds, loans, and derivative instruments. Phil’s extensive knowledge and strategic approach enable him to navigate complex market environments and deliver strong outcomes for investors. He manages the Yarra Higher Income Strategy and the RMBS strategy and is the Deputy Portfolio Manager for Yarra’s Enhanced Income Fund and LBO strategy.

Julian was one of the founders of MA Financial in 2009. He has nearly 20 years of experience providing M&A and capital markets advice to real estate and funds management companies.

Julian was previously a senior member of JP Morgan’s Asia Pacific real estate investment banking team, and prior to that was a member of UBS’ Australian real estate research team.

Julian has a Bachelor of Business (Property) and a Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) from the University of South Australia.

Rebecca (Bec) is tasked with expanding TAG’s industry-leading Australia practice to help global and Australian corporations develop business strategies to unlock opportunities and overcome market access challenges. Based in Melbourne, Bec brings deep expertise on defense, foreign relations, trade, and investment to support clients across Australia’s most dynamic sectors and the broader Indo-Pacific.

Bec is a recognized expert on terrorism, insurgency, cyber, space policy, missile defense, nuclear and strategic deterrence, and advanced dual-use technologies within national security. Prior to joining TAG, Bec served as Director of Defense Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), and convened the inaugural in-person Sydney Dialogue in 2023 – Australia’s premier policy summit focused on critical, emerging, cyber, and space technologies.

Bec brings over 25 years of government experience, including senior positions at the Australian Department of Defense, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). At Austrade Bec led Australian trade and investment engagements and priorities for the defence, space and infrastructure sectors globally. Bec served as Counsellor for Defense Strategic Policy at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. from 2015 to 2017 and later as Senior Adviser for Major Powers to the Australian Foreign Minister from 2019 to 2020 where she provided high-level policy advice on Australia’s relationships with key partners, including the United States, China, Five Eyes nations, and on emerging technologies, cyber and space.

A distinguished alumna and Fellow of the Australian War College, Bec completed the 2013 Defense and Strategic Studies Course. She holds a Master of Strategic Studies with Honors from the Australian National University and a Master of Strategic Studies from Deakin University