Leadership
Dr. Mark Rainbird
Chair & Founder
Dr. Mark Rainbird has more than 30 years’ experience in senior executive roles, including Chairman and at board level in private equity, ASX-listed, both government and non-government and unlisted organizations. He assists founders and investors with navigating the complexities and challenges of operating, growing and exiting profitable businesses.
Dr. Mark Rainbird has extensive experience in capital and debt raisings, mergers and acquisitions.
He founded BlueMount Capital and its sister company, Funding Strategies, a Brisbane-based corporate advisory and capital raising company. He has specialized in small-scale offerings ($1-5 million) as well as special private placements ($5-50 million). He has a proven track record in the mining and resources, technology and start-up sectors, providing capital advisory and introduction services to companies seeking capital in the unlisted, pre-IPO and listed capital markets.
With an extensive business network, he has been able to help companies to develop their funding strategies, raise equity and debt capital and provide an exit for the company and their investors.
Dr. Mark Rainbird is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds a PhD and a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours and is an Australian Financial Services Authorised Representative 001235684.
Ken Freer
Chief Operations Officer
Ken Freer has over 25 years’ experience in fast moving consumer goods with senior roles in general management, sales and marketing having worked for Wellcome Australia, Reckitt & Colman, PepsiCo Foods International (Frito-Lay) and Lion Co. as Managing Director of Castlemaine Perkins.
From 2006 through 2010 Ken applied his skills and experience in the field of sports administration. Ken was General Manager for the Lexmark Indy 300 and Director of Motorsport for IMG and the CEO for Queensland Rugby and the Reds.
He has a strong track record of delivering results, growing EBIT performance through revenue growth, cost control and through re-engineering key processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Ken has a natural ability to inspire and lead cultural change through manufacturing and sales and marketing organizations. He also enjoys working with customers and other key stakeholders to build effective alliances.
He has established a broad network of contacts in Government, Banking, Property Development and the Hospitality sectors, and with the major sporting organizations in Queensland.
Ken is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an MBA from INSEAD (France) and a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Melbourne).
Flora Mok
Director, M&A
Flora Mok has more than 20 years of professional M&A, tax and accounting experience in Hong Kong, China and Australia. She is a qualified accountant and has proven track record of successfully and efficiently advising on complicated global M&A deals. These include cross border and internal group restructuring assignments across China, Hong Kong, Australia, Asia, Europe, US and Latin America. Her expertise includes M&A and corporate advisory, deal origination and closing, due diligence, structuring, financial modelling and reviewing legal documentation. Flora has extensive experience in real estate, trading companies, financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, health care and infrastructure. Clients served include listed companies, multinationals, private equity and real estate funds, PRC state owned enterprises and private companies.
She is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (UK) and a Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HK) and CPA Australia.
Flora holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master’s degree in International Management from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Macquarie University in Australia respectively.
Garry Neale
Senior Associate
Garry has over 30 years of experience in the technology sector in Europe, the United States, Canada, Asia, and Australasia. He has led companies in enterprise/SaaS software, systems integration and management consulting, including multi-nationals, start-ups and turnarounds. Garry has broad M&A experience and has been retained after the close of transactions to manage operational integration.
Derek Vogt
Senior Associate
Derek Vogt has over 30 years’ experience in the Accounting and Business Advisory industries, Board Advisory roles and Mergers & Acquisitions.
In 1994 he founded and was the Managing Director of a mid-sized boutique Accounting & Advisory Firm, specializing in large, privately-owned, entrepreneurial businesses.
Since 2019 he has been active as a Mergers & Acquisitions practitioner and Board Advisory member.
He was a member of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants and is a member of the Australian Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
As a qualified and experienced accountant, he has been able to add value to clients in all aspects of buy-side, sell-side and advisor roles.
Eugenia Arrarte
Investor Relations
Eugenia Arrarte was a Government Relations Coordinator for a multinational company in Venezuela for almost ten years, acquiring experience in international trade, customs, trademark registrations, and import/export. In addition, she gained experience teaching at University.
Recently, she finished a Master in International Economics and Finance at the University of Queensland, and she also has a degree in Economics and a Master in Custom and Foreign Trade Management.
Eugenia is a researcher and an expert in investor relations and assists clients by finding suitable “counter parties” for their matters. Eugenia is fluent in English and Spanish.
Rupert Wells
Client Services
Rupert is a current undergraduate student at the University of Queensland studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics.
He has previous experience in buy side investments and trading, primarily in metals and mining. With prior work experience in other industries such as customer service and healthcare, he’s able to apply his knowledge to the role in client services.
Henry Davis
Client Services
Henry Davis is a current undergraduate at the University of Queensland and has knowledge from previous work experience in M&A and Wealth Management. From his studies in a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics he has gained skills which he brings to his Client Services role.
Birgit Rainbird
Office Manager
Birgit Rainbird has over 20 years customer sales, service, project management, operational and scheduling experience in the airline, campervan and tourist industries. Birgit has studied Business Administration and has completed the Small Scale Offerings Board Sponsor training.
Birgit has built a reputation for delivery excellence, attention to detail and communication, and assists clients with completing information memoranda and compliance needed to successfully raise capital. Birgit is fluent in German and English.