
Various people have agreed to act as advisers to Chris Cuffe to provide input when requested concerning the investment environment, the strategy of the Fund and/or the investments held. Below are the names and backgrounds of these advisers.
Chris has hand picked these advisers based on his respect for their expertise following his many years of experience in the investment management industry. Other than Frank Macindoe, these advisers have no legal responsibility to Third Link, Chris or the Fund. There are no agreements in place with the advisers, other than with Frank Macindoe, and they all provide their services on a pro bono basis.
In 1984 Robert founded Investor Security Group, a licensed securities dealer, which, through a series of mergers and acquisitions, led him to become CEO of Centrestone Wealth Advisers and then, following another merger, moved into his current role. Robert was named Australia’s Financial Planner of the Year in 1989 by what is now the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), and again in 1990 by Money Management magazine. He has been an active contributor to the FPA, serving on several national committees and receiving an Outstanding Service Award. Rob has a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University. In 2001 Money Management described him as one of the Ten Most Influential People in Australian Financial Services.
Kieran is the founder and major shareholder of Sirius Fund Management Ltd, a boutique investment manager specialising in the Australian equity market. He has 25 years of experience in investment banking, stockbroking and funds management, including with PNC International, Potts West Trumbull and Prudential-Bache Securities. He has been involved in numerous IPO’s, private equity placements and advisory work. Kieran holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Macquarie University. He is also a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and has a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning.
Doug was appointed Chief Executive of QIC in 1998. He has extensive consulting, academic and public service experience, including a period as Under Treasurer and Under Secretary of Queensland Treasury. He is currently a Councillor on the National Competition Council, a member of the COAG Reform Council and Queensland State President of CEDA. He also sits on the Board of Governors of the Queensland Community Foundation. He is a past President of the Economic Society, Australia, has been a member of the Australian Accounting Standards Board and was a Director (and past Chair) of the Investment & Financial Services Association. He holds an Honours Degree in Economics from the Australian National University and a Masters Degree and PhD from the University of Chicago.
Mark is CEO of Caledonia (Private) Investments Pty Ltd and Caledonia Investments Pty Ltd and a Director of The Caledonia Foundation. He has approximately 20 years of experience working in the Australian investment and equity markets. Prior to the establishment of Caledonia Investments in 1992, Mark worked with Prudential-Bache Securities (Australia) Ltd as a senior investment analyst and institutional advisor. He is a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Foundation and a Director of Art Exhibitions Australia Ltd. Mark was educated at the Universities of Melbourne and Cambridge, receiving his Doctorate in 1986.
Don has had four stages to his career: as an academic; in central banking; as an investment banker; and currently as a company director and investment commentator. From 1981 to 2001 Don was Chief Economist & Director of Investment Strategy for Deutsche Bank and its predecessor Bain & Company. Don has also served as a director of ING Australia and as Chairman of three ING listed property trusts and was Chairman of Tribeca Learning Ltd. Currently he is Chairman of Praemium Ltd and non-executive director of ING Private Equity Access Ltd. Don is a regular writer for the press and now writes on investments for The Australian. He holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Arts from the University of New England and a Doctorate from the Australian National University.
With over 15 years of investment experience, Fiona is now Managing Director of Frontier, an independent specialist Australian asset consulting firm, a position she has held since its inception in 2000. She was previously the Manager, Investment Advisory Services at its predecessor firm and has also worked in the Asset Consulting division of Towers Perrin. She holds a Bachelor of Economics with first class Honours from James Cook University of North Queensland and completed her Master of Finance at RMIT in 1995. Fiona was a foundation Director of the Australian chapter of the Investment Management Consultants’ Association (IMCA) and was a past member of the IMCA Education Committee.
Michael Traill
Chief Executive, Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and co-founder of Macquarie Group's private equity business
After 15 years as a co-founder and Executive Director of Macquarie Group’s $400m private equity business, Macquarie Direct Investment, Michael joined SVA as founding Chief Executive in 2002 where he continues today. He is also a director of several commercial and non-profit boards including the Advisory Board of MLC Private Equity. Michael holds an Honours degree in Arts from Melbourne University and an MBA from Harvard University. He was named as one of Australia’s 25 True Leaders by the Australian Financial Review ‘BOSS’ Magazine in 2006.
Geoff Wilson
Director, Wilson Asset Management International (WAMI)
Geoff Wilson established WAMI in November 1997, following seven years at Prudential-Bache Securities. He has worked in the investment industry for the last 27 years with such companies as Scottish Amicable, Potter Partners and McIntosh Hamson Hoare Govett. Geoff is currently Chairman of WAM Capital Ltd, WAM Active Limited, Wilson Investment Fund Ltd and the Australian Stockbrokers Foundation Ltd. He is a Director of Australian Leaders Ltd, Clime Capital Ltd, Cadence Capital Ltd, Vietnam Fund Ltd, Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation, Australian Fund Managers Foundation and the Odyssey House McGrath Foundation. Geoff holds a Bachelor of Science from La Trobe University Melbourne and is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors.
Stephen van Eyk
Managing Director, van Eyk Research
van Eyk Research is an investment research house in Australia, with a market share in excess of 50 per cent. It was established in 1990 and Stephen has been Managing Director since 1995. Prior to establishing van Eyk, Stephen had a 20 year career as an economist for a diverse range of organisations. He has been voted by Money Management magazine as one of the Ten Most Influential People in Australian Financial Services three years running. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and a Diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia.