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.

Adrian Bernard
Senior Associate

Adrian’s practical experience covers over 20 years as principal of a financial services advisory company, providing solutions to many clients in the areas of asset protection Insurance, superannuation, lending and financial planning. Adrian is currently completing a Certificate in ESG Investing through the CFA Institute.

Sacha Kanaghines
Senior Associate

After co-founding and selling Nonna’s and House of Brews on the Gold Coast, Sacha is now focused on venture capital; as investor and entrepreneur with experience in company turnarounds, distressed assets, hospitality, retail, property as well as crypto and mentoring.

Shirley Li
Senior Associate, Virtual CFO

Shirley has over 15 years experience in accounting, business and tax advisory in both public practice and business corporate. She is passionate about providing solutions to improve the accounting and financial position for her clients.

Shirley is a qualified accountant, being a member for CPA Australia and a Fellow of the National Tax & Accountants’ Association.

Shirley holds a Bachelor of International Finance and a Master of Commerce major in Professional Accounting from Griffith University. She is also a registered Tax Agent.

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.

Mitchell Rainbird
Client Services

Mitchell has graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Biotechnology (Hons 1st Class) majoring in Microbial Biotechnology and Innovation Management. He has completed his RG146 and has 8 years of customer service experience in hospitality and retail.

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.