Liam Bailey
 Statement of claim
I put myself forward to serve on the NSW/ACT Division Committee to increase representation for SME insolvency practices as well as younger insolvency practitioners. I believe ARITA is best served when representation comes from a diversity of not only gender and ethnicity, but also age and practice size.
Bio
Liam is both a Registered Liquidator and Trustee in Bankruptcy. He has 14 years’ experience in both corporate and personal insolvency. He has worked on numerous trade on administrations and successful DOCAs. He also has extensive experience in the areas of hospitality, retail, property and manufacturing.
Liam has been an ARITA Professional Member since 2016. He is Deputy Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
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Andrew Bowcher
Statement of claim
I am an active member of the NSW/ACT Division Committee. I am a regular presenter at ARITA Forums and an ARITA Workshop Leader. I was one of the presenters at the 2017 Inaugural Small-Medium Practice Conference, held in Fiji. I founded the ACT Forums and organise the speakers and programme each year. I have also been on the organising Committee for ARITA NSW/ACT Division Conferences.
In providing professional expertise in new proposed law changes. I am very mindful that ARITA is made up of members who practice in small, medium and large firms and that all backgrounds and interests need to be catered for. I am only one of two current NSW/ACT Committee members who practice and reside outside of Sydney.
I am a Registered Trustee and Registered Liquidator.
Bio
Andrew is a National Partner of RSM, and has practised as an insolvency practitioner for over 20 years. He is based in the Wagga Wagga office and services regional and remote New South Wales and Victoria. Andrew has been on ARITA's NSW/ACT Division Committee since 2012.
In 2014 Andrew was made a Fellow of CPA Australia and was awarded the CPA Australia NSW President’s Award for Excellence and Leadership in 2014 and 2017.
Andrew has been featured in the ARITA Journal, and in CPA Australia's In the Black. In August 2017 he was part of an inaugural group of senior ARITA members to be made a Fellow of ARITA.
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Michael Brereton
 Statement of claim
I am passionate about the profession, and currently serve on the ARITA Board as Deputy President. I am a member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Finance Committee and am immediate past Chair of the ARITA NSW/ACT Division Committee.
I have been actively involved with ARITA for many years, and was instrumental in establishing the Young Professionals (YP) Committees in NSW and ACT, before similar YP Committees were rolled out across the rest of the country.
I have also been appointed as ARITA’s representative to several of ASIC Interview Committees for candidates applying to become Registered Liquidators. As the incoming President of ARITA I will endeavour to represent the profession in the best possible light.
Bio
Michael is a Director at William Buck and is a leading corporate restructuring advisor and insolvency practitioner with over 20 years’ experience assisting companies that are underperforming, facing financial distress or in need of financial restructure.
Michael brings an enthusiastic, practical, hands-on approach to his engagements, which is backed up by sound commercial decision-making. He has significant experience as financial and restructuring advisor, and investigating accountant conducting financial and operational reviews and financial due diligence, advising on the impact of insolvency, and advising on stakeholder management issues.
Michael has a track record of managing complex reviews and workouts and of trading on businesses, and has undertaken numerous formal appointments as receiver and manager, voluntary administrator, deed administrator, liquidator, trustee of creditors trust, and as statutory trustee.
Michael became a Registered Liquidator in 2005. In 2017 Michael was made a Fellow of ARITA.
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Kate Conneely
 Statement of claim
The insolvency industry is facing significant changes as a result of the pandemic and recent law reforms, and I believe the ARITA NSW/ACT Division Committee has a key role in shaping the future of our industry.
With my 13 years’ experience in formal insolvency, restructuring and litigation strategy, if elected, my insights would contribute to the work of the Committee as it navigates the significant challenges over the next few years.
I am passionate about innovative approaches, technical excellence, and improved outcomes. As a leader within the learning and development program at KordaMentha, and with a strong track record as an insolvency practitioner, I would help the Committee deliver a strong plan for training, resources, and thought leadership for ARITA members.
If elected, I would also like to assist the Balance Taskforce Committee and its members successfully step change diversity and further female participation in the industry. As a committee member of the Women’s Insolvency Network Australia (WINA), I am uniquely placed to assist in an area that I consider is of vital importance in ensuring a robust and diverse profession.
Bio
Kate is a Partner in KordaMentha’s Restructuring group and a registered liquidator.
Kate has worked on some of Australia’s largest and most complex engagements, allowing her to quickly identify key operational and financial risks, and effectively manage trading and sale processes to generate the best outcome for clients and stakeholders.
Kate's strong technical restructuring skills are augmented by in-depth legal knowledge and a calm, considered approach. Clients appreciate her results-driven attitude, ability to find pragmatic creative solutions and gain consensus at speed.
Kate has worked with small enterprises through to large corporate groups across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, wholesaling, real estate, and sports administration. Significant engagements include D'Aquino Group, Equestrian Australia and Arrium.
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Kirsten Farmer
Statement of claim
As a practitioner who has practised in insolvency, both corporate and personal for 25+ years, I am a strong advocate for the very important educational role and support that ARITA provides to its members. I am also a strong advocate for representation for practitioners in the bankruptcy space and believe that I can value add to the discussion that concerns practitioners needs in this area. It has been an honour to serve on the Committee for the last 5 years and I am keen to continue my role.
Bio
Kirsten is a solicitor who has practised in insolvency (both corporate and personal) for over 25 years. She is a Partner in the Commercial Disputes & Insolvency Division of Mils Oakley, and in addition has experience in both the Government sector and as a sole practitioner.
Kirsten is a serving member of the Insolvency and Reconstruction Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia.
Kirsten has been selected for inclusion in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 in 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2016/17 for Restructuring & Insolvency and in the 2018 and 2019 editions of Best Lawyers Australia for Insolvency and Reorganisation.
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Danielle Funston
Statement of claim
I have been an ARITA Professional Member since 2009 and have served on the NSW/ACT Division Committee for the past 5 years. I was elected as the Chair to the NSW/ACT Division Committee for 2020 and previously held Executive Committee positions, being the Secretary for 2018 and Deputy Chair for 2019.
During 2020 I have been actively involved in education, having presented at the National Online Conference, having been an ARITA Workshop Leader and having contributed to ARITA’s Journal and case updates.
I hope to be re-elected to the committee as I do believe I am an active committee member who is eager to ensure all members of ARITA are appropriately represented and heard.
Bio
Danielle is a Partner at Maddocks, specialising in Restructuring and Insolvency.
Danielle has been practising for over 15 years, advising clients from the institutional level to the SME market, acting for banks, insolvency practitioners, companies and individuals. She actively provides training and regularly presents to our industry.
Danielle has also assisted the University of Technology Sydney as a guest lecturer in Insolvency.
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Bruce Gleeson
 Statement of claim
I am a Director and Owner in Jones Partners Insolvency & Business Recovery. My Firm is NSW based with offices in Sydney CBD, Norwest Business Park, Narellan Business Park and Miranda. We operate in the small to medium practice (SMP) segment. I am also a Registered Liquidator and Registered Trustee in Bankruptcy and have over 20 years’ experience in corporate and personal insolvency.
During my time on the ARITA NSW/ACT Division Committee, I have highlighted the needs of the SMP segment, particularly against the increasing regulatory settings, legislative reform and general assistance that this segment continues to require from ARITA.
I was one of a few key individuals behind the need for and development of the SMP conference which I believed was vital to provide topic specific content to the SMP segment, but also to encourage a greater support network for members within this segment that do not necessarily have access to the same resources as members in larger firms.
I would like to continue to represent the SMP segment at the Division level during 2021, in addition to, making a contribution to ARITA when it comes to insolvency and particularly bankruptcy reform, training needs of members and provide general assistance. My contribution will be to ensure that we have a professional body that SMP members get value from, but also broadly all other ARITA members.
Bio
Bruce regularly acts for creditors in enforcing recovery actions and has had extensive experience in public examination and recovery of concealed assets. He has also held roles in commerce with several Top 100 Companies. Bruce is frequently appointed as Trustee under Section 66G of the NSW Conveyancing Act, 1919 to realise commercial and residential properties. In 2009 Bruce was appointed Voluntary Administrator to one of the largest residential home builders in NSW; Wincrest Homes Pty Ltd - the external administration of which resulted in an arrangement put in place with its creditors whereby it remains successfully trading today. Bruce continues to be regularly appointed to residential building companies in financial distress. More recently he has been appointed by ASIC as Provisional Liquidator and Receiver & Manager to Maliver Pty Ltd and Melissa Caddick.
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Rajiv Goyal
 Statement of claim
I feel I will be able to make a meaningful contribution and give back to the profession by joining the NSW/ACT Division Committee of ARITA, the leading national insolvency professional body, as I understand the needs of and support required by my fellow members as:
I have deep ‘hands-on’ experience working on a variety of formal and informal matters ranging from SME’s to large complex matters;
I have experience working for a large national insolvency firm and now a boutique firm, so I understand the different and varying needs of members from a support and technical prospective;
Despite further ‘teething’ issues to iron out, I understand and am supportive of the new Small Business Restructuring (SBR) reforms and have many ideas surrounding how the reforms could be further refined;
My firm is a leader in the Safe Harbour space and as such I am able to provide the committee ‘real time’ feedback on how the Safe Harbour provisions are being properly and incorrectly applied by IPs, lawyers, corporates and boards;
I work collaboratively in a team environment and respect my colleagues differing viewpoints; and
I am a Registered Liquidator and actively taking on all types of appointments.
Bio
Raj is a Partner at Wexted Advisors, a boutique firm providing independent and specialised structuring advisory services to clients facing or exposed to business challenges, or confronting complex transactions or situations.
Raj has over 19 years’ experience in restructuring, turnaround and insolvency experience in Australia, including McGrathNicol and also a secondment at National Australia Bank in their workout/turnaround team.
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Hannah Griffiths
 Statement of claim
In my opinion, the ARITA NSW/ACT Division Committee should continue to represent the diversity of the insolvency and restructuring profession. I also believe that the most suitable people to serve on Committees are those that have high work-ethic and superb time management skills. I’m proud to have strong relationships with many members of our niche profession and I spend a significant amount of my professional time mentoring and developing junior members of the insolvency and restructuring profession (particularly female lawyers across both my firm and outside my firm) together with educating the insolvency and restructuring market on recent developments arising from Court decisions and how they practically impact upon an insolvency practitioner’s appointments.
During my career to date, I’ve had the pleasure of working across a few specialist insolvency and restructuring legal practices both in NSW and ACT and have practiced exclusively in commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring since my admission to legal practice in 2012 (and for approximately 5 years prior to that). I have healthy relationships with major stakeholders that intersect with the insolvency profession and I’m regularly asked to speak at industry events, both for ARITA and outside ARITA, to add the legal perspective on insolvency matters.
Outside my professional pursuits, I’m a single mother of three young boys and a volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service. I would welcome the opportunity to serve as a member of the ARITA NSW/ACT Division Committee and, as with all things I do, would throw my heart and soul into the role.
Bio
Hannah is the head of Gilchrist Connell’s Restructuring and Insolvency practice. She has extensive experience in corporate insolvency advice, litigation and restructuring as well as construction, corporations and securities, equity and trusts and professional indemnity litigation. She has broad and varied experience in litigation and dispute resolution across Australia. Throughout her career, Hannah has acted on behalf of building and construction companies, professional indemnity insurers, insolvency practitioners, corporate and individual lenders, corporations and individuals.
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Alan Hayes
Statement of claim
I am current Secretary of the NSW/ACT Division Committee. I seek to continue to represent the interests of ARITA members, particularly those of the Registered Liquidators and their colleagues practicing in the smaller and medium practices, the interests of whom I well understand because I am one of them.
Bio
Alan is the founding principal of Hayes Advisory. He is a highly skilled adviser with over 30 years’ experience assisting stakeholders in the business advisory and corporate insolvency arena. He advises boards, creditors, financiers, shareholders and other significant stakeholders particularly accountants, lawyers and their clients. Alan has extensive experience as an appointee in all forms of external administrations including receivership, voluntary administration, liquidations and deeds of company arrangement.
Alan has been a member of the NSW/ACT Division Committee since 2018. Alan has also been a member of ARITA’s Small-Medium Practice Committee since 2018.
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Tony Lane
 Statement of claim
I am passionate about insolvency 'advocacy' and have acted not only in a professional capacity through taking a range of appointments during my career, but have been an advisor to government (FEG/ASBFEO) and taught insolvency at a tertiary level (School of Law, Australian National University).
I have served on a range of not-for-profit boards and committees including the Tennis ACT Board (President), Tennis Australia Council, Ice Hockey Australia Board, and a number of strategic advisory committees in industry and NFP spaces.
I believe that I will be an effective voice for and represent the interests of Canberra-region members in particular, but members generally, to the wider ARITA community and believe that I can be a valuable contributor in that regard.
I possess a skill set that would be useful and beneficial at a Division Committee level and would like to contribute to shaping the evolution of the professional and our professional environment.
Bio
Tony is a Registered Liquidator with 30 years' industry experience in insolvency and related industries.
Following 10 years in the ATO, Tony commenced his private practice career in the former firm of SimsPartners in Canberra in 2003, and has been actively engaged in the insolvency profession since. Tony is currently a partner at Vincents, where he leads a team in their Canberra office whilst contributing to the growth and development of national Vincents practice.
Tony has been a regular attendee and contributor to ARITA Forums and Conferences over the past 8 years since he became an ARITA Professional member.
Tony has not previously served on any ARITA committees but engages in regular exchanges of views and opinions with ARITA Committee members and staff.
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Steven Mattiussi
 Statement of claim
ARITA's strong representation, consultation, education and public policy advocacy is crucial to the professional lives of those specialising in restructuring, insolvency and turnaround. I believe that to be true now more than ever before; our evolving market and increasing regulation are adding to the broader COVID-related challenges we are all facing.
I am an active member of ARITA who has specialised in those fields my entire professional career. I hope to further contribute by being a Committee member of the NSW/ACT Division, in pursuit of ARITA’s stated ambition to lead and support appropriate and efficient means to expertly manage financial recovery.
Bio
Steven is a senior lawyer at Watson Mangioni Lawyers (admitted to practice in 2004).
Steven’s induction to the insolvency field came at the very outset of his professional career when working for a small debtor practice in the suburbs of Sydney, with a heavy emphasis on personal insolvency work. Since that time, Steven has specialised in restructuring, insolvency and turnaround here in Australia and abroad. In doing so, he has worked with all levels of stakeholders to preserve value, manage risk and maximise outcomes for his clients (including insolvency practitioners, directors/officers, members and creditors) across a range of industries (including retail, hospitality, IT, building & construction, education and financial services).
In addition, Steven frequently advises on various regulatory issues in connection with scenarios of actual or anticipated corporate financial stress, particularly ASIC investigations.
Throughout his professional career to date, Steven has been involved with what was the IPA, then the IPAA and is now ARITA. Before heading abroad for a period of practice in London, Steven was a member of the IPAA’s inaugural Young Professionals Committee. After returning to Australia, Steven has been a regular workshop presenter for the ARITA Advanced Certification program.
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Henry McKenna
 Statement of claim
I have over 20 years’ experience working in the insolvency and restructuring sector, across large international firms to single office firms. I would like to bring that diverse experience to the NSW/ACT Division Committee and contribute my time and ideas to an organisation that does so much for our profession.
Bio
Henry is a Director in Vincents’ Insolvency & Reconstruction unit. He specialises in corporate recovery and insolvency, independent business reviews and external administrations. Henry is highly client focused and takes pride in building strong relationships with his clients. Henry’s industry experience has included: retail, building and construction, property development, transport, recruitment, agribusiness, plant hire, hospitality and many more.
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Jason Porter
 Statement of claim
I was honoured to be appointed as a Director of the ARITA Board in 2018, having served the four previous years on the NSW/ACT Division Committee and admitted as a Fellow of ARITA in 2017.
As one of the few Registered Trustees (as well as a Liquidator) on the NSW/ACT Division Committee and ARITA Board, I bring a wealth of expertise to not only the NSW/ACT Committee but to the profession at large.
In 2018 I appeared on behalf of ARITA with John Winter and Mark Wellard at the Senate Committee Enquiry into the proposed reduction in bankruptcy from 3 years to 1 and Debt Agreement reform.
I believe that I have contributed considerably to the profession over 24 years, not only as a Division Committee member but also as a regular presenter at ARITA conferences, Chair of the NSW/ACT Division education sub-committee and represented on the bankruptcy sub-committee.
As a National Board Director, I am also a member of both the ASIC and AFSA Liaison Committees, as well as the ASIC/AFSA Joint Liaison Committee.
I have sat on numerous Liquidator/Bankruptcy interview panels as the ARITA representative and am included as an ARITA representative on the ILRA disciplinary committees.
As an ongoing Committee member, I will continue to advocate for better harmonization and insolvency law reform, together with educating our members through conference and the ARITA education program. As an ARITA Board Director, I will continue to promote sound corporate governance and open communication to all members.
Bio
Jason is a partner of SV Partners, a national specialist restructuring and insolvency firm. He has over 24 years’ experience in both corporate and personal insolvency matters at leading insolvency and advisory firms.
Jason has significant experience in bank and financial institution advisory assignments for most of the major banks and second tier financiers. These assignments have included trade on receiverships, security enforcement, property and going concern business sales, investigating accountants’ reports and pre-lending reviews.
Jason is a frequent presenter at insolvency conferences and workshops including the National Practical Bankruptcy Congress, ARITA National, State and SMP conferences, Legalwise seminars and AustLaw Family Law Workshops. He has also presented on insolvency case experiences to undergraduate law students at UTS, and was interviewed by Jason Harris and presented a webinar for the ARITA Advanced Insolvency Course.
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Kathy Sozou
 Statement of claim
As a chartered accountant, I have been involved in the insolvency and restructuring profession for over 20 years both in Sydney and London, which culminated in my admission to the McGrathNicol partnership in July 2017, and becoming a Registered Liquidator in February 2018. I served on the IWIRC (now WINA) committee for 4 years, and would now like to further contribute to the industry by continuing to serve on the ARITA NSW/ACT Division Committee, of which I am current Deputy Chair.
An ever changing economic and political landscape continues to present our profession with a number of technical, practical and regulatory issues. I strive for technical excellence in my career and aim to seek out innovative and practical solutions. I consider these to be valuable attributes that I bring as a Committee member to assist in navigating these challenging times.
Throughout my career at both KPMG and McGrathNicol I have been involved in a range of corporate insolvency and restructuring assignments of all sizes and complexities and my range of experience positions me well to understand the issues and contribute meaningfully to the Committee and profession. I would contribute to the Committee with the support of a significant national firm which recognises the importance of ARITA as an advocate for the profession. This provides me with insights into the market for insolvency and restructuring services including key issued being faced by participants, and enables me to commit the necessary time and resources to be an active and engaged member of the Division Committee.
Bio
Kathy has 20 years’ experience in independent business and diagnostic reviews for both private and public sector participants, turnaround planning, cash management and operational restructuring. As a Registered Liquidator, she has extensive experience in formal insolvency administrations both in Australia and the UK.
Kathy has worked across industries such as debenture funds, government and health advisory, furniture and electrical retailing, franchising, food wholesaling and investment banking. Throughout her career, she has developed rigorous reporting, project management, analytical and communication skills from a wide range of projects.
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Jonathon Turner
 Statement of claim
It is a privilege to be a candidate for the NSW/ACT Committee and I humbly seek the support of members for my appointment.
I am nominating for the NSW/ACT Division Committee because I am deeply committed to the insolvency and restructuring industry and want to be part of, and continue to contribute to, the success of ARITA and its members. I firmly believe that if I am fortunate enough to be elected to the Committee, I would make a significant contribution to the continued development and promotion of our profession.
I am committed to integrity, excellence and transparency and would seek to engage with members to ensure that I effectively represent the interests of all members. While I am a relatively new member of ARITA, I consider that I have unique experience and insight, which would increase the diversity of thought on the NSW/ACT Division Committee.
I would bring a collaborative, constructive and progressive approach to the Committee and welcome the opportunity to work with the other committee members towards the continued evolution of the industry and to assist the profession to adapt to the significant change and disruption that we are all faced with.
While there are significant challenges facing our profession currently, I consider that there are also real opportunities for future success and for members to make positive contributions to the wider community. If elected to the NSW/ACT Division Committee, I would work enthusiastically to deliver equitable outcomes that would benefit all members while promoting the continued success of ARITA, its members and the profession.
Bio
Jonathon is a partner in the Financial, Restructuring and Insolvency practice of Norton Rose Fulbright.
Jonathon advises a range of domestic and international clients including leading financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, corporates and directors on a wide variety of insolvency and restructuring matters and commercial disputes.
He completed his ARITA Advanced Certificate in Insolvency in 2016 and has been an ARITA member since that date. Jonathon is also dual-qualified having been admitted as a solicitor in Australia and England and Wales.
Prior to returning to Australia in late 2015, Jonathon practised in London and worked on a number of high profile matters arising from the global financial crisis. He commenced his career in insolvency and restructuring as Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Barrett in the Corporations List of the Supreme Court of New South Wales during which time he completed his Masters of Laws from the University of New South Wales.
Jonathon has presented at a number of ARITA events and been published in the ARITA Journal.
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