Our Team
Ben Berthon-Jones, Partner
Ben has worked across a range of business development and growth roles, both as an investor, advisor, mentor, and director.
Over a period of 15 years, he has worked in Media (WA Business News), Professional Services (PwC) and Health (Alerte Digital Health).
Ben brings an extensive network of institutional and private investors to the team. He also specialises in Research and Development Tax, advising several companies in Australia.
Ben is an advisor to the Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation as well as a former Board member of Kalparrin, a NFP focused on children with special needs and their family networks.
He has a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Commercial Law from Curtin University, Perth.
Ben is recognised for his strong track record developing innovative and progressive growth strategies including participating in the creation of PwC Align, a world first for PwC in which the firm brings new technology to clients by partnering with start-ups.
John Grohovaz, Partner
John is an established business leader, innovation strategist and investor with world-renowned expertise in Strategic Finance, Management Accounting and Commercialisation.
His successful track record in developing thriving corporate entities, securing capital, commercialising novel products and services, and bringing business concepts to life spans three decades and five continents.
John is highly regarded for generating innovative solutions to business problems, adeptly challenging the status quo and championing the value of diversity.
This high-value skillset has enabled John to work seamlessly across myriad industries including technology, manufacturing, banking and media, during which time he developed deep commercial networks in Australia, South Africa, Europe, the USA and Singapore.
BMW, Ford, Deloitte and PwC feature in John’s global portfolio of employers and clients.
He has a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Cape Town, an Advanced Diploma in Tax from the University of South Africa and is a registered Chartered Global Management Accountant (1-IXVL).
Philip van Schalkwyk, Partner
Philip is a Senior Executive best described as diligent and personal. He has a proven track record of effectively commercialising stressed and unstressed assets, delivering on corporate advisory reports to tight deadlines, managing diverse stakeholder relationships, and successfully developing & implementing key value-enhancing business strategies.
Philip has been employed in various executive positions, most recently as COO&CFO, across a range of different industry sectors including sport & entertainment, retail, manufacturing, resources and financial services spanning over a 20-year career.
He has worked for a number of Global companies including Deloitte, PKF, McGrathNicol, Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs and has established close business networks across Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
This diverse career path which included corporate advisory services, managerial finance and audit roles honed Philip’s skills in Financial Modelling, Financial Reporting, Accounting, Corporate Finance, Risk Management, Restructuring, Due Diligence, and Valuations.
Philip is a registered Chartered Accountant (SAICA) with an Honours in Bachelor of Accounting & Management Accounting from the University of Stellenbosch. He is also a registered Chartered Global Management Accountant (CIMA, ACMA).
Gerhard Vorster, Chairman & Partner
Gerhard is an internationally sought-after business consultant who is renowned for his expertise in helping organisations position themselves for success.
He skilfully combines pragmatism and out of the box thinking to guide businesses through periods of transformation and expansion – working directly with boards and senior leaders to identify and maximise opportunities.
Gerhard’s 30-year career has included global roles with Deloitte Australia, including Chief Strategy Officer for Australia and the Asia Pacific. Prior to this, Gerhard was the Managing Partner (Consulting) for the South African, East Asian, Asia Pacific and Australian practice regions.
Strategy & Growth, Innovation & Design Thinking, Turnarounds, Leadership, Data Analytics & Digitisation and Repositioning & Releasing Value out of Organisations are specific interest areas where he excels.
Gerhard has broad experience in the Mining, Oil & Gas, Banking & Securities, Automotive, Professional Services, Innovation, Telecommunications and Media sectors.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Pretoria) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Potchefstroom (Cum Laude).
In addition to training as a professional civil engineer, Gerhard has completed several executive education programs at world-leading business schools.
Close affiliations with RMIT College of Business, Good Design Australia and other national & international initiatives continue to foster Gerhard’s lifelong love of learning and innovating.
