The Kelly+Partners Corporate Advisory team comprises of experienced and talented finance professionals, who are focused on delivering positive and professional outcomes for our clients. In total, our team has over 70 years experience in finance, corporate advisory and commercial transactions.
BBus, CA, MTax, DipFS, RTA, JP
Director and Principal
Brett is the founder and CEO of Kelly+Partners. He has more than 20 years business advisory and professional accountancy experience, specialising in assisting private clients, private business owners and families.
He commenced his career as a Chartered Accountant with 5 years at Price Waterhouse, and then worked at 3 mid-sized accounting firms. In 2006, Brett founded Kelly+Partners with accounting businesses in North Sydney and the Central Coast, before building out the network to 20 businesses over 14 locations to date.
Brett is also the best-selling author of four books on life, business and wisdom.
BSc, MAppFin, GradDipAppFin
Director and Principal
Brendan joined Kelly+Partners in January 2017 to run the internal IPO process for the company, before launching the Corporate Advisory business in September 2017.
He has over 20 years experience in equity markets, financial analysis, industry research and business management.
Previously, Brendan was co-Head of Australian Equities at Goldman Sachs for 5 years from 2012 to 2015. In total, he worked for Goldman Sachs/JBWere for 18 years, including 10 years as an equity partner. During this time, Brendan held various senior roles in institutional equities and equities research across Sydney, Melbourne, London and New York. Prior to this, he worked at Deutsche Bank for 4 years as an equities analyst.
More recently in 2016, Brendan consulted to Lithium Power International (LPI) on their successful public listing on ASX.
BA (Law), MA (Law), MA (International Relations)
Government Advisor
Dave has extensive experience in government relations & international trade following his 18 year career with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
After completing his Bachelor and Masters degrees at Cambridge, Dave commenced with DFAT in 1999 in Canberra before being transferred to the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby from 2001 to 2003. This was followed by roles advising then Foreign Minister Alexander Downer from 2004 to 2006, and serving as political counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC from 2006 to 2009. Dave returned to Canberra in 2010 to take the role of Head of the International Division within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for 2 years. He then served as the Assistant Secretary of DFAT’s Africa Branch from 2012 to 2013.
In mid 2013, Dave was appointed the Australian Ambassador to Israel – the youngest ambassador ever appointed by Australia. After 4 years in that role, he returned to Sydney and joined Kelly+Partners to launch the Government Relations, Incentives & Innovation business in 2018.
BCom, MCom, MTax, CA, MA (Law)
Corporate Advisor
Joyce has over 10 years experience in accounting, tax, commercial law, corporate transactions, and business operations. She first joined Kelly+Partners in 2006 as part of the launch of the North Sydney office.
After 5 years in accounting, Joyce took a sabbatical to study law at the University of Cambridge from 2010 to 2012. After completing her studies, she returned to Kelly+Partners in the role of Operations Manager for 2 years.
In 2015, Joyce joined a boutique law firm for 2.5 years, before returning to Kelly+Partners as part of the corporate advisory team in mid 2017.
BBus, DipFMBM, MAppFin, MFAA accredited finance broker
Debt Advisor
James has 15 years experience in commercial banking and financial markets. He joined Kelly+Partners in mid 2017 to launch the debt finance business as a founding partner.
Before joining Kelly+Partners, James held the role of Senior Commercial Banker at Westpac, where he worked for 6 years from 2011 to 2017. During this period, he specialised in credit risk management and debt origination for both public and private businesses across Sydney.
Prior to this, James worked for CMC Markets for 7 years from 2005 to 2011 as an equities and derivatives trader, which developed his understanding of financial markets, investment risk, and corporate strategy. He started his professional career in London working for the UK’s financial services regulator (then called the FSA) for 2 years from 2003 to 2005. This role enabled James to build a strong foundation of compliance and regulation, plus a knowledge of international markets.