BESEN - Key Persons


Andrew McGill

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Advisory Board
  • Member of the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club
Andrew pursued a successful career in finance and investment for 20+ years, initially as a management consultant and then at Macquarie Bank. In 2000 he became a founding partner of Crescent Capital, one of Australia's leading private equity firms. He is also the former Managing Director and CEO of the Treasury Group, an international funds management business. Known for his outstanding skills with both people and numbers, Andrew has recently been appointed chair of BESEN and holds a non-executive directorship at Countplus Limited. Previously, Andrew has worked in the global equities sector as the former chair of PM Capital Global Opportunities Fund and held a non-executive directorship at PM Capital Asian Opportunities Fund Limited. Andrew is an active member of the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, where he coached junior athletes. As a younger man he played rugby for Australia.

Daniel Besen - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder
  • Member of the Advisory Board
Daniel founded BESEN in 2000 to support creative entrepreneurs in business and manage a property development portfolio with projects in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and New York City. Daniel is directly involved in every BESEN project - bringing strategic skills, commercial nous and consumer savvy. Brands he has helped steer to success include Sass & Bide, Seek, MIMCO, Boost Juice and Strike Entertainment. Daniel's 30+ year career spans law, retail property development, the performing and visual arts, architecture, fashion and design. Daniel has a lifelong passion for the arts. He is currently Chair of Collingwood Arts Precinct (CAP) - a major public contemporary arts incubator and adaptive reuse project in inner-city Melbourne and is a Director of the Tarrawarra Museum of Art.

Daniel Hong

Job Titles:
  • Investment Partner
  • Arcus Partners / Visit Arcus Partners
Daniel leads BESEN's private equity investments. He works closely with entrepreneurs and management teams, providing strategic input and guidance to help their businesses succeed.

Dennis Broit

Dennis began his career in accountancy and later worked as a private consultant where he managed Mirvac Group's successful IPO in 1987. He stayed on as Finance Director until 2005, during which time the company's worth grew from $100million to $3.5billion. Dennis has been a director of numerous private property companies, including GPT Funds Management, St Hilliers and Retirement Villages Group. Dennis brings to BESEN a refreshing mix of directness and diplomacy, a highly numerate mind, and wisdom borne of long experience.

Duncan Murray - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Member of the Advisory Board
  • Chairman of Cycling Australia
Duncan, together with the senior team and Investment Committee, is a driving force behind BESEN's investment approach. With a history as a hands-on operator, he combines practical experience and analysis with BESEN's intuitive investment approach. Duncan commenced his professional life as a lawyer and investment banker, although the majority of his 20+ year career has been spent as CEO and COO of public and private sector companies across logistics, construction, technology, media and private equity. He has also worked in the not-for-profit sector - as the inaugural Chairman of the Amy Gillett Foundation and Group CEO of the Noel Pearson founded Cape York Partnership. A passionate cyclist who has raced bikes all his life, Duncan is also Chairman of Cycling Australia.

Henry Lanzer AM

Job Titles:
  • Managing Partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler
  • Non - Executive Director of Premier Investments
Henry is Managing Partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler, where he is responsible for the firm's overall management and strategic directions. Henry specialises in corporate law - including all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, joint ventures and ASX listings. Highly regarded for his strategic and advisory skills, Henry has been a non-executive director of Premier Investments and The Just Group since 2008, and of Thorney Opportunities since 2013. In 2015 Henry was awarded an Order of Australia for significant community service. He is Life Governor of Mount Scopus College Council, President of its Foundation and was a member of the Board of TarraWarra Museum of Art.

Jay Doherty - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
Jay's role at BESEN includes oversight of financial strategy planning, risk analysis, governance, financial reporting and process improvement. Known for his skills as a negotiator in complex business deals, for assessing and managing risk, and as a leader of tight knit and high performing teams, Jay has previously held CFO and COO positions with the Bangarra and Burnham Groups. For many years, Jay was the voluntary Director and Treasurer of Rainbows for Children Australia, which fosters emotional healing among children and young people who have experienced life-altering loss. He also sits on the Board of the Mentone Girls' Grammar School Foundation, chairing its investment committee.

Paula Bertoli

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant - Founder
Paula is the focal point for matters relating to logistics at BESEN, ensuring the efficient running of the office and assisting Daniel with the array of business, philanthropic, pro bono and personal endeavours that make up his day. An executive assistant and office manager with 15+ years' experience in Australia and internationally, Paula has worked across a range of industries including Top 20 ASX-listed companies, international law firms and private family offices. Paula's authenticity and professional, personable style are a source of delight for the many people with whom she deals each day, at BESEN and beyond. Paula is a trained dancer, and can be relied upon to be the first to hit the dance floor when the music starts pumping. She also likes dining out, socialising with friends and reading biographies.

Simeon Goldenberg

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director - Investments
Simeon oversees BESEN's real estate investments. Known for his integrity and strong commercial instincts, Simeon works closely with BESEN's property development partners to support the successful realisation of property projects, providing strategic oversight and the benefit of 20+ years' experience in investment, financial services and real estate. Prior to joining BESEN, Simeon was Chief Executive of Icon Group's real estate investment division. He has also held roles at KPMG Corporate Finance (M&A), as a fund manager with Gersh Investment Partners, and a variety of non-executive positions in the retirement, fintech, investment and construction industries. Simeon is first and foremost a family man. He's also a self-proclaimed cricket tragic and a passionate pro bono contributor to not-for-profit sector, with governance roles spanning sport, aged care, welfare and education. He is currently President of Gardenvale Primary School and a Director of Cabrini Health.

Stephen Heath

Job Titles:
  • Specialist
Stephen is a specialist in consumer goods brand management with more than 25 years' manufacturing and wholesale distribution and retail experience. He has spent a total 16 years as CEO of major Australian consumer brands including Rebel Sport, Godfreys and Fantastic Furniture. Stephen holds non-executive directorships with Total Tools and is the non-executive Chair at Temple & Webster and the Sapphire Group. Stephen brings a forensic eye to the fine detail of BESEN's investments where his ability to combine high level strategic thinking with meticulous attention to detail comes to the fore.

Tiffany Orchard

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant - CEO
Tiffany works closely with BESEN's CEO Duncan Murray, managing administrative duties and providing executive support across day-to-day business operations. A proactive administrative professional with a strong background in office, executive and project administration, Tiffany's career has focussed primarily on delivering high quality customer, colleague and client assistance, whilst working effectively and collaboratively within a team environment. Prior to joining BESEN, Tiffany held roles in a variety of industries including retail, hospitality, construction and most recently, the not-for-profit sector. Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys functional training, creating in the kitchen and exploring the great outdoors.

William Pho

Job Titles:
  • Management Accountant
William (Will) is a management accountant at BESEN, overseeing bookkeeping and accounts payable functions, as well as assisting with general reporting, budgeting and forecasting. Will is a qualified CPA with a strong background working with private clients to provide timely financial reporting, guidance, and advice.