Our people

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 family’s.

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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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Julie joined Fordham’s Sydney team as Partner in 2016 from a mid-market firm, looking for a broader range of services to suit the business and personal needs of her maturing clients.

Julie has significant experience providing accounting, tax and advisory services to a diverse range of private businesses of all sizes and stages of growth. This encompasses business sectors from manufacturing through to professional practice, with a particular specialisation in the health and senior living sector. More than 25 years’ experience in residential aged care and retirement village projects she held a number of high-level external CFO and Board Advisory roles. In recent years succession and business exit planning has been a key feature of her advisory focus.

Julie has a strong blend of commercial and professional advisory skills and expertly manages “big picture” issues while not losing sight of the detail. Her thought leadership, media and public speaking experience is also highly sought after.

She started her career of more than 40 years in one of the Big 4 accounting firms, then transitioned to a major middle market firm in 1989 to pursue her passion for private client work. She achieved partnership in 2003 after raising her family.

Julie Hough adopts a “triple P” approach – proactive, practical and pragmatic – for all of her client work. She is a strong believer in diversity and gender balance in the workplace and loves building teams with uncompromising attention to quality and client service.

Industry specialisations: Senior Living

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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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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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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Chris joined Fordham so he could continue to work closely with private business owners as an accountant and trusted advisor. Prior to joining Fordham, he spent two years overseas as the CFO of a privately owned greenfield agricultural development in central Africa, as well as a short contract as COO of a Business Process Outsource Centre in SE Asia. He returned to Australia with hands on experience of what it is like to develop, run and ultimately divest privately owned businesses.

He has a depth of knowledge that only comes with years of experience, enabling him to deliver proactive and valuable business advisory and taxation services. Chris’ unique blend of commercial and professional experience allows him to quickly understand and empathise with his clients’ issues and to identify, develop and deliver meaningful and effective solutions and outcomes.

Chris has a calm and measured approach which has earned him the respect of clients and colleagues alike who come to him with their challenges. He also makes a significant contribution to thought leadership development within Fordham, particularly in the areas of business and corporate development.

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Starting as a Graduate with Fordham in 2007, Adrian was attracted to our singular focus on private business owners, in particular motor dealers and the intricacies involved with running a dealership.

Since then, he has gained expertise in significant compliance engagements, plans and family matters, as well as the day-to-day issues every business owner faces. He strives to provide value for his clients in the areas of planning, accounting and taxation, profit improvement, management and equity, and succession planning, along with business sales and acquisitions. As his experience and knowledge have grown Adrian has been able to challenge business owners on their performance and guide them on business best practice and their personal wealth journey.

Adrian’s superior work ethic and commitment is second to none. He works hard to ensure his clients receive the advice they need to succeed and achieve their goals. He helps facilitate the industry-leading Mazda Excellence Group and attends the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) conventions.

Industry specialisation: Motor Dealer Services

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Kyle joined Fordham in 2009 as a graduate and is now an Associate Partner in Fordham’s Property & Construction team. He began his career at a large privately owned property developer, where he laid the foundations of his industry knowledge. Naturally, Kyle has a sound understanding of compliance and taxation matters, corporate structures, financing, financial modelling, superannuation, estate planning and the interactions of complex family groups. He is a knowledgeable presenter at industry events facilitated by the likes of the Master Builders Association of Victoria and the Housing Industry Association.

While at Fordham Kyle has developed a deep knowledge of the property and construction sector while helping his clients to grow their business, protect their assets and plan for the future. He has particular expertise in business succession strategies for private business owners, including merger and acquisition transactions.

Kyle uses his significant commercial experience in the property and construction sector to help his clients become top performers. He is responsible for running client engagement in this sector, ensuring that services are provided to our clients in a timely manner and in accordance with our client services policy.

Kyle’s skills as a Chartered Accountant, as well as degrees in both Accounting and Banking & Finance, have given him a great foundation of knowledge to advise his clients. Kyle is the chairman of both our Corporate Finance and Property and Construction Industry Excellence Groups which build up-to-date IP and roll out best practice advice to clients. Kyle also serves as an independent director of clients' philanthropic funds.

Industry specialisation: Property and Construction / Corporate Finance

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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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Alicia joined Fordham in 2004 as a graduate. From 2008 to 2010 she worked in London as a financial accountant and forensic accountant. Alicia then returned to Fordham, applying her breadth of knowledge and experience to progress to Associate Partner.

Alicia provides support and advice for business owners across various stages of the business life cycle as well as for her clients’ personal wealth and passive investment structures – the Wealth Journey®. Alicia has particular expertise with business and owner planning, restructuring and estate planning.

Alicia enjoys building long standing relationships with her clients and their families. She provides tailored strategies and advice to suit their personal objectives and circumstances.

Alicia is keen to continuously improve her own skills as well as that of others within the firm. She supports our in-house knowledge development groups in business, tax, wealth, superannuation and estate planning.

Honest, reliable, friendly and constructive, Alicia’s clients and team alike have come to appreciate and trust her on both a professional and personal level.

Industry specialisation: Manufacturing, Retail, Property & Construction, Native Title

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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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Rachna joined Fordham in June 2015 in Tax Compliance and Advisory and was drawn to Fordham’s focus on the Fordham Wealth Journey and playing to our strengths. Her passion for helping her clients through family issues, sale of business and business structuring, employee incentivising, private directorships, family office and profit improvement, has resulted in strong relationships.

Rachna now heads the bookkeeping team, who provide services to business owner clients, high net wealth individuals and families and not for profit clients. She and her team specialise in streamlining finance processes and her growth mindset has helped her team and the services grow. Her passion is to use technology and add-ons to help her clients digitise their businesses. She loves using reporting add-ons to provide valuable information to her clients so that they can make informed decisions and they love it too. She strives to continuously improve how she and her team do things and this growth mindset has helped her team grow and increase the services they provide to clients. 

Rachna is also a member of Governance Risk Finance Committee and a director for two Not For Profits, since she truly believes that simple giving starts with giving of time and that everyone can give their skills to increase their social impact.

Industry specialisation: Xero and Addons, Family Office and Not for Profits

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