Executive Directors
John Murphy
Managing Director
B.Com, M.Com, CA, CPA
John is the founder and Managing Director of Investec Wentworth Private Equity. John has over 30 years experience in private equity, turnarounds, corporate finance, and accounting.
John is a director of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited and Chairman of the bank's Investment Committee.
Prior to entering private equity in 1998, John spent over 25 years, including 14 as a senior partner in the corporate finance and recovery division of a global accounting firm.
John sits on the boards of many of Investec Wentworth Private Equity's portfolio companies and has extensive public company board experience.
Greg Robertson
Executive Director
B.Ec, LLB, MBA, CA
Greg has over 25 years experience in business turnarounds, private equity, accounting and law.
Prior to joining Investec Wentworth Private Equity in 2002, Greg spent 17 years with a global accounting firm, eight of these as a partner. Greg was also the Chief Operating Officer of an e-commerce services company.
Greg sits on the boards of many of Investec Wentworth Private Equity's portfolio companies and has held a number of listed company directorships.
Jon Brett
Executive Director
B.Com, M.Com, CA (SA)
Jon has extensive experience in management, operations, finance and corporate advisory.
Jon was the managing director of several publicly listed companies. He was also previously the non-executive Deputy-President of the NRMA and a partner in an international accounting firm.
Jon sits on the boards of many of Investec Wentworth Private Equity's portfolio companies and has held a number of listed company directorships.
Non-Executive Directors
David Gonski AC
Chairman
B.Com, LLB, FAICD, FCPA
David Gonski is the Chairman of Investec Holdings Australia Limited and Investec Bank (Australia) Limited. He was the co-founder of Investec Wentworth Pty Limited (formerly Wentworth Associates) and was previously a partner in the leading law firm, Freehills.
David is Chairman of Coca-Cola Amatil Limited. His other non-executive directorships include The Australian Securities Exchange Ltd, Singapore Airlines Ltd, and Westfield Group.
David is Chancellor of the University of New South Wales and Chairman of the Trustees of Sydney Grammar School and National E-Health Transition Authority (NETHA).
David was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 2007.
Geoffrey Levy AO
B.Com, LLB, F FIN
Geoff was previously Executive Chairman and CEO of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited, a principal of Wentworth Associates and before that a partner in the leading law firm, Freehills.
Geoff has over 20 years experience in the corporate advisory environment where he is regarded as an expert in mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings and general corporate commercial law.
Geoff is a non-executive Chairman of listed entities the Specialty Fashion Group limited, and Cromwell Group Limited. He is also non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.
Geoff was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2005.
Brian Schwartz AM
FCA
Brian is the CEO of Investec Bank (Australia) limited. Prior to that he was the Chief Executive of Ernst & Young Australia and Managing Partner for the Oceania Area.
Brian has extensive experience advising large multinationals and Australian corporates, as well as entrepreneurial growth companies. He has a particular focus in the areas of corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence and floats.
Brian is a Director of Insurance Australia Group, and Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Football Federation of Australia.
Brian was named the inaugural “Leading CEO for the Advancement of Women” by EOWA in 2001, recognizing his efforts in increasing female participation at senior management levels. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his services to business and the community.
Alan Chonowitz
B.Acc, M.Com, CA
Alan has been the Chief Financial Officer of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited for seven years.
Alan has been an executive director of several listed and unlisted companies following seven years as a partner of a leading international firm of Chartered Accountants.
Currently Alan is a director of Investec Bank (Australia) limited, a number of its subsidiaries, and First Opportunity Fund Limited.
Alan’s experience includes significant exposure to the finance and funds management industries, where he has been responsible for financial structuring, financial and regulatory reporting, corporate advisory services and strategic planning.