Our People

Jayman commenced his Accounting and Advisory career in 1995 and progressed to Partner level in 2006.

Having engaged exclusively with private business owners and high net worth families throughout his career, Jayman is critically aware of the challenges that private business owners and their families experience.

Jayman’s emotional intelligence and listening skills have resulted in strong connections with his clients, their families, and team members alike. These skills, combined with his creative mindset, allows issues and opportunities to be detected in a timely manner, along with an action-oriented solutions plan to rectify an issue or take advantage of an opportunity.

Jayman has a deep passion for and understanding of residential and industrial broad acre property development and is involved with his clients throughout the journey from pre-acquisition due diligence, town planning and permits, construction, sales and marketing, property finance and taxation matters.

Always offering insights in a calm and responsible manner, Jayman is an exciting addition to Fordham’s Partner Group.

Industry specialisation: Residential and Industrial property development, Agriculture.

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Commenced with Fordham in 1984 as a graduate and progressed to partner level in 1997

Richard’s diverse background equips him to manage the varied needs of his large portfolio of private business clients; from valuations and sales, to taxation and superannuation planning. He has had significant exposure to capital markets, including purchase and acquisition, mergers, valuations, capital raisings, finance and sale of business. He has also been heavily involved in helping clients with succession planning, including exiting via the sale of their business.

Richard has a depth of experience in helping clients manage the transition of their wealth from the business to life beyond the business, including the setup of a family office and is a trusted adviser to families over multiple generations.

Responsible, insightful and understanding, Richard is an important asset to Fordham and his clients.

Industry specialisation: Private businesses, their owners and wealthy families

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Frank’s passion is the motor industry and while at Fordham he has overseen significant growth in our motor dealer client base. He has a deep understanding of the workings of a dealership - probably one of the toughest environments in which to make a profit.

During his time at Fordham, Frank has developed significant expertise in valuations, mergers and acquisitions, purchase and sale of businesses and in leading negotiations. He is also well practiced in strategic planning in areas including succession, management and business structuring. He runs regular monthly meetings with several of his major clients and facilitates profit improvement meetings for one of Australia’s leading automotive distributors.

Frank’s colleagues and clients rely on his intimate understanding of business and his proven ability to identify and solve problems. He has used this to develop a range of unique products, in collaboration with his team, to help clients run their businesses more successfully. Many of these have now become standard operating tools for Fordham, including the Dealership Diagnostic and the Profit Improvement Program.

Industry specialisation: Motor Dealer Services

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Michael joined Fordham in 2001 and is now the lead partner of a team of 30 with clients in Property & Construction, Retail/Ragtrade, Transport, Manufacturing and Franchising. He started his career in 1991 with one of the Big Four accounting firms and joined Fordham 10 years later to focus specifically on medium-sized, privately-owned businesses.

As a Chartered Tax Advisor with a wealth of experience in corporate advisory, as well as private businesses, Michael brings this unique perspective to help his clients’ businesses grow and overcome adversity. He helps clients across the broad range of business and personal issues they face including arranging external financing, modelling/forecasting, reporting, shareholder issues, structuring and valuations.

In this role Michael enjoys undertaking strategic planning for his clients and often participates as Board Chair. He runs executive leadership team meetings focused on driving accountability and meaningful improvements to operational performance. He is a regular presenter and author of industry articles for the building and property development sector, as well as Ragtrade industry segments. When not at work, he is chauffeuring four daughters to school, rep basketball and football.

Industry specialisation: Property & Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Transport, Franchising

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Sharon assists business owner clients across a broad range of industries, helping them to navigate their personal and business wealth journey and weigh up important decisions along the way. She has broad experience in taxation and business with particular expertise in complex tax advice and structuring, planning for succession and retirement and dealing with complex family and community issues.

In addition to working with business owners, Sharon is passionate about leading Fordham’s Indigenous Consulting Team, which is part of Perpetual’s broader service offering to Aboriginal communities. This team provides Executive Office and consulting services to communities across Australia.

Clients enjoy Sharon’s attentiveness, responsiveness, her ability to listen, and to provide targeted and practical advice. She is exceptionally talented at developing strong, long-term relationships, and is known for her ability to communicate complex issues in a way that is easy to understand.

Industry specialisation: Property & Construction, Retail, Native Title

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For more than twenty years, Darren has been providing business, taxation and asset protection solutions to the owners of privately-owned businesses. His passion lies in not only looking after their business needs, but also ensuring the growth and protection of his clients’ family wealth.

Darren has managed many projects to a successful conclusion for his clients including sale of business, matrimonial disputes and ATO audits. He also has significant experience assisting clients with estate planning, business acquisition and business divestment.

His experience covers a broad range of industries including retail, wholesale, professional services and property development. Darren has substantial practical experience in taxation matters and leads Fordham’s internal tax excellence group. This puts him at the forefront of tax minimisation strategies for income tax, capital gains tax, superannuation and GST.

Having completed a Master of Taxation degree to add to his Chartered Accounting qualification and Fellow status of the Tax Institute of Australia, Darren is a regular tax presenter at industry events.

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David joined Fordham as a graduate in 1982. In his early years the practice was built on a foundation of providing high level tax and accounting advice for business owners and individuals. Over the years, these services have significantly evolved due in part to significant changes in taxation law and clients’ need for high-level strategic advice.

David has a wealth of experience in buying and selling businesses, valuations, benchmarking, business analysis, systems improvement, finance proposals, GST and business and taxation structuring. This specialist understanding makes David much sought-after by Fordham’s clients.

David has also played a large part in the launch and success of Fordham’s motor dealer advisory group. In collaboration with his fellow partners, David has significantly grown Fordham’s motor dealer client base and broadened the scope of its services to include integrated advice on all aspects of business and management.

Industry specialisation: Motor Dealer Services, Other Industries 

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Peter has an uncanny eye for the true meaning behind financial accounts – an essential skill for business owners contemplating major business moves. He matches this skill with significant experience in mergers, acquisitions, divestments and capital raisings as well as all facets of the Fordham Wealth Journey.

Peter also enjoys coaching and mentoring his clients – working with them collaboratively to solve business problems and helping them with taxation, business planning, succession planning, asset protection, estate planning, business performance planning, corporate governance, directorships, asset protection and wealth planning assignments.

His diligent and questioning approach, combined with his empathy and strong communication skills, leave clients knowing he is on their side.

Industry specialisation: Private Businesses & their owners 

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Laura joined Fordham as a graduate in 2004 and quickly developed her skills and expertise to become a leading member of the firm.

Laura is committed to helping her clients grow and improve their businesses and personal wealth and takes pride in developing solutions that are personalised, commercial and innovative. She has an in depth understanding of the automotive industry as well as exposure to a broad range of other industries.

She has significant expertise in business strategy and planning, profit improvement, dealership management workshops, financing solutions, acquisition and sale of business, and wealth and estate planning. All while leveraging a core technical knowledge of structuring, tax advice and compliance.

Laura is a keen contributor to our firm’s in-house business excellence group and generates best practice ideas for the Fordham Motor Dealer Services Team. She leads the development and facilitation of the Automotive Financial Management Program for clients and facilitates dealer profit comparison meetings.

She is passionate about her work and her clients.

Laura is fortunate in being able to combine her personal passion for motor vehicles (she races her Austin Healey and Lotus Europa) with a client base in the automotive industry!

Industry specialisation: Private Business Owners, Motor Dealer Services

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Darren joined Fordham as Partner in 2016 and leads the enhancement and growth of our taxation and compliance service in Sydney. He has been helping business owners and their families to achieve their business goals and realise their personal dreams since 1987. He started his career with a leading mid-tier Chartered Accounting firm and became a partner in the firm’s Business Advisory division in 2001.

He helps his clients through any business and personal challenges they encounter and has particular expertise in accounting, general business, taxation and compliance services. He also keeps a keen eye on investment property development and the medical, legal, management and consulting industries.

Down to earth, proactive and ever accessible to his clients, Darren is an invaluable asset to Fordham and his clients.

Industry specialisation: Franchising, Transport, Property management and Development, Medical, Legal, Consulting

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In Brett’s 15 years at Fordham, he has developed a very thorough understanding of the property & construction industry. During this time, he has advised a broad range of businesses from large land developers to residential and commercial builders, civil construction companies, and project management businesses. Brett also assists business owners and their families in the retail, publishing, manufacturing and finance industries.

For many of his clients, Brett acts as chair of both their operating and family boards. In these roles he plays a key part in facilitating discussion with business owners, their families, and senior management teams regarding business performance, profit improvement, optimal business structures, and business acquisition and sale opportunities. 

Brett has a deep knowledge of the Australian tax system and in particular the specialist tax issues applicable to the property and construction industry. He is also a leader of Fordham’s internal taxation excellence group. In this role he is responsible for strategies to assess the impact and maximise opportunities available with respect to the following:

• Income Tax
• Capital Gains Tax
• Small Business Capital Gains Tax Concessions
• GST (including the margin scheme)
• Stamp duty
• Land tax.

Brett is a member of the Taxation Institute of Australia and Advanced Property Development accredited (PCA). He is also a member of the Taxation & Finance Committee for the Urban Development Institute of Victoria, which advocates for policy improvements to the industry.

Industry specialisation: Property & Construction, Manufacturing, Retail

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Neil discovered Fordham at a university open day and was immediately drawn to our focus on people, private businesses and premium service. After a recommendation from a friend already working for us, Neil joined Fordham in 2005 as a graduate with our Motor Dealer Services team.

Since then, Neil has worked with a wide variety of clients and tackled a diverse range of issues – from simple family and business issues, to complex sales, acquisitions and everything in-between. In addition to having outstanding taxation and business-structuring capability, Neil also has a deep expertise in commercial advisory services and business optimisation, with a focus on privately-owned motor retailers. In addition to his clients in the motor industry, Neil uses his knowledge and experience to assist business owners across a range of industries.

He has a passion for guiding his clients through the Fordham Wealth Journey®, with a particular focus on the taxation, structuring, profit improvement and succession planning components that are so sought after by today’s business owners.

Happily, Neil’s instincts as a young university graduate were correct. He loves his role at Fordham, loves helping his clients, and it shows … for every client, every day.

Industry specialisation: Motor Dealer Services 

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Having worked in tax and accounting since 1997, Stuart has a wealth of experience helping business owners achieve their financial, business and personal goals.

Stuart Le Cornu assists companies to meet their objectives with strategic planning, including financial and taxation planning. He particularly relishes the challenge of helping clients manage their complex lives. This includes interpreting the intricacies of international tax, foreign controlled entities, resident and non-resident trusts, and large public and private companies.

As one of our tax advisory specialists, Stuart is an expert in all taxation matters. His approach to tax planning includes a thorough review of existing structures, interrelationships between entities, location of assets, liabilities and IP, history, capital gains cost bases, loan accounts, previous tax strategies and future plans. He regularly presents at Tax Institute seminars in matters such as the taxation of trusts, Division 7A and small business Capital Gains Tax matters.

Industry specialisation: Manufacturing, Franchising 

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Michael Doughty has worked as a professional accountant for more than 30 years where he thrives on the continually evolving challenge of helping his clients, their families and businesses to succeed.

Michael guides businesses of all shapes, sizes and origins on every aspect of their success and is particularly skilful at assisting businesses with unusually complex structures. He advises on a broad range of strategic matters including finance, structuring, tax, compliance and capital gains as well as providing compliance services. Michael is passionate about assisting his clients with their private interests, helping them and their family members make strategic decisions to grow and protect their wealth while navigating the intricacies of areas like deceased estates, changes in circumstance and property ownership. His passion has developed from his own family experience working within family business.

He has an affinity for the issues faced by local communities and has significant expertise in this area. Michael has worked with communities, developers and agents to enhance their local areas by advising on local council issues and related matters. This interest is attributed to his early experience in real estate and community.

Keeping up to date with developments in taxation and business is a particular area of interest for Michael. He shares this knowledge with his colleagues at Fordham and has, more widely through the courses he has created and presented for the Australian Taxation Office via the University of New South Wales.

Industry specialisation: IT, Retail 

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Michael is a Partner in the Taxation and Accounting team at Fordham for Trusts and Estates. He has worked in the trustee industry for over 20 years and specialises in the taxation of high net worth retirees, deceased estates, trusts and philanthropic entities. Before working in the trustee industry, he gained experience in commerce and chartered accounting.     

A thought leader in his field, Michael has the capacity to use his technical knowledge and experience to quickly distil a given set of facts and find thoughtful solutions to the problems at hand.

Industry specialisation: Taxation of deceased estates and testamentary trusts.

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Ed started his career by providing Accounting and Taxation advice to private business owners at one of Australia’s largest Regional Accounting firms. During that time, Ed went on secondment for a year to one of Australia’s largest Fresh Produce Supply Chain companies in a Financial Controller role. He later moved into the Corporate Advisory division of one of Australia’s largest Middle Tier Accounting firms. There, Ed initially provided Litigation Support services, including giving Expert Evidence in Court. He then joined the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions team, during which time he led the successful sale of one of Australia’s largest Horticulture businesses.

Ed has a personal insight into the needs of business owners, having been one himself. He established an Advisory firm in Hong Kong, helping Australian Food and Agriculture businesses find trade and investment partners in China. Ed’s firm helped a number of Australian businesses enter the China market and expand in it.

A desire to provide a broader range of services to clients, and access greater resources, led him to Fordham. Fordham’s depth of experience, and the high calibre of its people, allow the firm to guide private business owners through their whole wealth journey. The firm’s focus on private business owners is what attracted Ed to Fordham.

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With over 15 years of experience in advising private business owners, Bernie has become known for providing considered and reliable advice to his business owner clients. Bernie’s Fordham journey began as a graduate and since then he has developed a proven track record of assisting his business owner clients in working through complex issues, which has propelled Bernie to the position of Associate Partner.

Bernie provides leading edge tax, accounting and business advisory services to his business owner clients and in recent years has developed a keen interest in the corporate finance space, assisting many clients from various industries in business sales, acquisitions, management buy-ins and valuations. In recognition of his passion and expertise in this area, Bernie has recently been appointed Chair of the firm’s Corporate Finance Group.

Bernie is an avid Dees fan and enjoys spending time with his young family.

Specialisation: Private business, taxation, business sales, business acquisitions, business  valuations, motor dealers

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With over 15 years in Business Advisory and Taxation, Michael is known for providing reliable and straightforward guidance to his clients. His experience in Australia's dynamic mid-tier accounting environment enables him to offer valuable services to business owners across multiple industries, from growing businesses to established enterprises.

As a trusted advisor, Michael maintains his knowledge in leading-edge advisory services, taxation, and industry standards as the Chairperson of Fordham's 'Compliance Edge Group' and through his active involvement their 'Corporate Finance Edge Group' and ‘Tax Discussion Group’. Michael is also a decade long member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australian and New Zealand and provides the following specialised services:

Compliance – Income Tax, CGT, GST, FBT, ATO Audit, State Taxes
Advisory – Profit Improvement, Financial Modelling, Employee Performance & Remuneration 
Strategic Planning – Tax, Business, Asset Protection, Estate, Succession
Corporate Finance – Business Acquisition & Sale, Valuations, Management Buyouts
Governance – Business Advisory Councils, Family Meetings, Reporting</br />

Michael arms motivated businesses and their staff with the tools required to outperform their competition, free up time, improve cashflow, and increase business value through the integration of best-practice operations, improved structures, ongoing planning, and the implementation of innovative technology.

Business owners and their families trust Michael to provide the strategic advice they need to help achieve their personal and financial goals whilst protecting and growing their wealth.

Industry specialisation: Australian Private Business, Food & Agriculture, Property & Construction, Wholesale Trade, Distribution & Transport, Services.

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