SKALATA - Key Persons
Anthony is a seasoned investment professional and Non-Executive Director with a career spanning over 25 years in the software development industry, 14 of those in California's Silicon Valley.
Anthony Glenning is a seasoned Investment Professional and Non-Executive Director with a career spanning 25 years in the software development industry, 14 of those in Silicon Valley. In 1999, he founded Tonic Systems, a web application development company that was acquired by Google in 2007 as part of the Google doc suite of products.
From 2010 to 2018, Tony was the Investment Director for Starfish Ventures, a venture capital firm that specialises in Australian high growth technology businesses. During that time Anthony held directorships at Aktana, Atmail, DesignCrowd, MetaCDN and Nitro Software. Anthony is also a Non-Executive Director of ASX listed Pro Medicus (ASX:PME) and Azure Healthcare (ASX:AZV). He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Bachelor of Computer Science from The University of Melbourne, and a Master of Science (MSEE) from Stanford University in California.
Job Titles:
- Head of Operations
- Practising Accountant
- Senior Finance and Technology Executive
A certified Practising Accountant, Chris has held executive roles in Fund and Corporate Accounting. Prior to Skalata, Chris worked at the Future Fund as the Head of Finance.
Chris is a highly skilled senior finance and technology executive with over 21 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has strong skills in strategic planning, change management, financial analysis, process improvement and leveraging technology to achieve corporate goals.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Associate
Skalata Associate Claire Bristow has spent most of her adult life moving through the rungs of academia, while also finding the time to create a social movement turned ecommerce startup.
Claire began her career in Academia, obtaining a PhD from Monash University where she went on to hold a Lecturer position. She previously founded her own startup, which scaled to a community of over 14,000 women.
Claire began her career in Academia, obtaining a PhD from Monash University where she went on to hold a Lecturer position. During this time, she led the delivery of multiple tertiary courses across the undergraduate and postgraduate spaces, and was involved in a range of research projects spanning multiple fields. Claire has also previously founded her own startup, which she scaled to a community of over 14,000 women. She has hands on experience in launching and running a company, with an intimate understanding of the early-stage founder journey.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Company Secretary
- Corporate Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright
James is a corporate partner at Norton Rose Fulbright specialising in technology-related M&A and venture capital. He has over 25 years' experience at global firms in Australia and the US.
James Crowe is a corporate partner at Norton Rose Fulbright specialising in technology-related M&A and venture capital. He has over 25 years' experience at global firms in Australia and the US. James has deep technology sector expertise and has acted for global and domestic technology companies, venture capital firms and founders in relation to acquisitions, capital raisings, liquidity events (trade sales and IPOs) and growth strategies.
In addition to a law degree (with honours), James holds a degree in computer science majoring in artificial intelligence. James is a director or advisory board member of a number of early stage technology companies and is an active angel investor. He is the former head of Herbert Smith Freehills' Melbourne Corporate group.
Job Titles:
- Head of Investor Relations
Justine brings a wealth of experience in both investment banking and law, having previously worked at Morgan Stanley, Macquarie Bank and international law firm, Ashurst.
Justine brings experience in both investment banking and law, having worked at top financial institutions in Sydney. She worked at Morgan Stanley for four years in the global capital markets team raising debt and equity funding for ASX-listed companies and government entities across multiple products and jurisdictions. Prior to this, Justine began her career as a lawyer working for Macquarie Bank within Group Treasury for three years and was responsible for debt financing arrangements and hybrid public offerings. Earlier in her legal career, she worked at Ashurst in the litigation and corporate team.
Justine has a track record of building and maintaining trusted client relationships as well as originating and executing deals. She holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Finance from Monash University.
Linda is a leading figure in the education sector with a career spanning three decades across Australia, Canada and the United States. She is the former Vice Chancellor of Swinburne University of Technology.
Linda Kristjanson is a leading figure in the education sector with a keen interest in entrepreneurial development, having fostered innovation programs and early startup companies throughout her academic career, which spans three decades across Australia, Canada and the United States.
She is the former Vice Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology and is passionate about developing the support needed to help young researchers, graduates and world-class academics optimise their bright ideas. Under her leadership, Swinburne consolidated its position as an internationally-ranked university known for delivering high quality, relevant research and educating confident, future-ready graduates.
With Linda's guidance, Swinburne established an office in the Silicon Valley in collaboration with CSIRO to provide PhD students with the opportunity to grow and launch in a vibrant innovation precinct. In 2002, Linda was named the Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year in recognition of her entrepreneurial work in health, science and innovation. Linda is Chair of the Board of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
She was previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Development at Curtin University. In 2017, Linda was made an Officer of the Order of Australia, in honour of her distinguished service to tertiary education through leadership and governance roles.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder, Director & FARM Committee Chair
- Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Martin has extensive experience in the strategic and operational management of high-tech global companies in a range of sectors including education, renewable energy & digital media.
Martin Adams has extensive experience in the strategic and operational management of high-tech global companies in a range of diverse sectors including online education, renewable energy and digital media. He is the CEO of EMS B&K, which is a global provider of continuous, unattended environmental solutions. EMS B&K is a Spectris plc company (SXS:LSE) and was originally founded by Martin as Lochard in 1990.
Martin was a Co-Founder and the former Chairman of the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) at the University of Melbourne. He was also the former Chairman of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue. He was awarded the E&Y National Entrepreneur of the Year for Technology, Communications, Ecommerce and Life Sciences in 2002 and served on the Growing Technology Based SMEs Working Group of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council in 2004 and 2005.
Martin is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree with honours from the University of Melbourne.
Maxine has been advising and investing in seed-stage companies for over a decade. She is responsible for Skalata's deal sourcing strategy, selection process and ensuring high-quality investment decisions are made.
Maxine Lee has been advising and investing in seed-stage companies for over a decade. In her role at Skalata, Maxine is responsible for Skalata's deal sourcing strategy, selection process, and ensuring high-quality investment decisions are made. Additionally, Maxine is responsible for portfolio management and company support to improve investment fund performance. Maxine is a member of both the Investment Committee and the Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee.
Previously, Maxine worked at the University of Melbourne where she led a number of entrepreneurial initiatives, including the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP). She has also held roles in marketing, brand consulting, and advertising.
Maxine obtained a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Management Accounting at the University of Melbourne.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman and Founder of the Little Group
Paul has a wealth of experience building some of Australia's most successful businesses. He is Founder and Chairman of the Little Group and has investments across a range of sectors including property and aviation.
Paul Little is Chairman and Founder of the Little Group. Formed in 2006, the Little Group focused initially on opportunities in the property sector through Little Projects and Little Real Estate. The Group has since expanded investments across a range of enterprises including aviation and passenger ferries. In November 2015 Paul and his wife Jane Hansen launched the Hansen Little Foundation, a large-scale, active philanthropic undertaking with the singular objective of leaving a legacy of significant and positive change.
From 1986 to 2011, Paul was the Managing Director of Toll Holdings and oversaw the Toll Group's rise to become Asia's pre-eminent provider of logistics services. Paul has received a Doctor of Business honoris causa from RMIT University. In 2010 he was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the development of the transport and logistics industries, and for service to the community through philanthropic support of sporting and medical research organisations.
Paul is Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Skalata Ventures. He is a Past Chairman of Visit Victoria and the Essendon Football Club and a former Director of Property Exchange Australia (PEXA). Paul is a Fellow of the University of Melbourne, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Paul has an extensive background in financial services gained in Australia and the UK. This includes 14 years of experience as CFO and acting MD of the Future Fund.
Paul arrives at Skalata with 14 years of experience as CFO and acting Managing Director of the Future Fund - Australia's Sovereign wealth fund. He is a CFA Charterholder and a Chartered Accountant with an extensive audit background in financial services gained in Australia and the UK. Paul also has five years' experience in the provision of fund accounting and tax reporting services to investment clients gained at National Custodian Services in Melbourne.
Rob brings well-rounded startup experience, having worked at three startups in operations, sales and customer success roles across Australia and Canada.
With a double degree in Law and Commerce, Rob turned down a conventional corporate path to go work at a startup while living in Canada. This led him to Yardly (a marketplace for yard care & snow removal), where Rob eventually became Operations Manager. Rob then combined his passion for podcasting and tech by heading up Customer Success at Supercast (a platform that lets podcasters sell subscriptions).
Rohan Workman has been an integral part of the Australian startup ecosystem for over a decade as a company founder, investor, advisor and director. He co-founded Skalata in 2018 and is responsible for fund strategy, portfolio construction, and overall investment fund performance. Rohan is a Director of the Skalata Ventures board and subsidiary companies, a Responsible Manager under Skalata's Australian Financial Services License, and a member of the Investment Committee.
Prior to Skalata, Rohan co-founded RosterCloud, a B2B SaaS company providing HR solutions to hospitality companies which was acquired by an ASX-listed business. Rohan has also led a number of entrepreneurial initiatives at the University of Melbourne, including being the inaugural Director of the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP).
Rohan is a graduate of the University of Melbourne where he gained a Bachelor of Commerce.
Rohan has been an integral part of the Australian startup ecosystem for over a decade as a founder, investor, advisor and director. He is responsible for fund strategy, portfolio construction, and overall investment fund performance.
Sam has over 10 years of international marketing experience, and has helped accelerate growth in both early-stage and ASX-listed financial and technology companies. Originally from New Zealand, Sam crossed the ditch in 2018 and immediately immersed himself within Melbourne's thriving startup scene. Specialising in the areas of content strategy and marketing automation, Sam is also well-versed in all forms of early-stage funding (venture, CSF, revenue-based, debt). He is passionate about ensuring Australia's leading early-stage companies are afforded the marketing support they need to prosper.
Sarah has extensive startup and technology sector experience, having previously worked in San Francisco at Australian-founded PDF software company Nitro. Originally from California, Sarah began her career in San Francisco's booming technology industry. She has seven years' experience in program administration, project management, and operations and relocated to Melbourne in 2018. Sarah worked at Nitro for just over five years and saw the company grow from 60 to 200 people. Sarah oversees venture development administration, culture, office and is the Executive Assistant to the CEO.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Advisor and Board Director
- Director & Investment Committee Chair
Sarah is an accomplished corporate advisor and board director. She is also Non-Executive Director at ASX-listed Nitro Software, Whispir, Adslot and Future Generation Global.
Sarah Morgan is an accomplished corporate advisor and board director, and has worked across a diverse range of industries and on some of Australia's most significant M&A transactions. In addition to her role at Skalata Ventures, Sarah is also Non-Executive Director at ASX-listed Nitro Software, Whispir, Adslot and Future Generation Global, and was previously a Non-Executive Director of Hansen Technologies.
Passionate about working with founders of innovative and growing businesses, Sarah's focus is on facilitating sustainable business and organisational success. Her strong financial expertise provides a sound foundation for leveraging other key skills including strategic planning, marketing, investor relations and business development.
Shahirah is an award-winning entrepreneur and currently co-founder of Finch, a data intelligence company. She is one of Australia's leading women in tech, and was recognised as the country's "Rising Fintech Star" in 2018. Shahirah is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, and is a founding advisory member of The Giant Warm Intro at Rampersand VC. Previously, she was a board member of Girls in Tech Australia.
Tom Smalley - Chief Investment Officer
Tom brings a wealth of legal and financial experience to Skalata, having spent five years working for leading Australian corporate law firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) in the Corporate M&A team.
Tom is an enthusiastic, but relative newcomer to the Australian startup ecosystem, having started his career in the corporate world. Prior to joining Skalata, Tom spent over five years working for leading Australian corporate law firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) in the Corporate M&A team, advising clients in the financial services, technology and telecommunications sectors on a wide array of commercial transactions. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University. He is also completing a Graduate Certificate in Finance from Macquarie University.
Tuong began his career in consulting at PwC, before moving to NAB where he provided finance to medium enterprises. He then founded two strategy design studios focused on delivering greater product-market fit for clients.