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Our Team

Meet the team

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Leadership Team

Andrew Ellem

Managing Partner, CA

Andrew Joined MVA Bennett (formally MV Anderson and Co) as a Partner in December 2006. He was previously a Principal in a two Partner accounting firm for approximately nine years and prior to this, he was a Principal in a boutique merger and acquisition firm. Andrew began his professional career in 1990 bringing many years of professional experience and is focused on the development of small medium enterprises centred on work life, balance and succession planning.

Chris Hall

Partner, CA

Chris began his accounting career in Melbourne in 1997 with a boutique Chartered Accounting firm. After attaining his CA qualification, Chris spent two years in London in a commerce role as Group Management Accountant for a listed recruitment advertising company. This experience confirmed that his passion was to work in public accounting, where he could foster close professional relationships with a broad range of clients. On his return to Melbourne, Chris joined McInnes Graham and Gibbs, at which time he undertook a Master of Taxation with Monash University.

This led Chris to become highly proficient in analysing and advising on complex taxation matters, including deceased estate matters, application of small business CGT relief legislation, restructuring of corporate groups, and international tax. In 2012, Chris established Aberdeen Advisory following the purchase of his client base from Mutual Trust, where he attained the position of Director of Business Services. Chris joined MVA Bennett in October 2021 following the integration of Aberdeen Advisory into the practice. Chris is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and is recognised as a Chartered Tax Advisor with the Tax Institute.

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David Gibbs AM

Partner, FCA

David Gibbs is a business strategist and adviser with a reputation for developing wise and practical solutions to personal, family and business financial problems. During his career to date, David has seen the effects of many business cycles and the succession of management with a wide range of business operations. This experience has sharpened his passion for Family Enterprises, Corporate Governance and the identification and management of risk.

His professional specialty is inter-generational family succession. David currently chairs and participates in a wide range of family business and other governance Boards, Teams and Committees. Working with other professionals in a collaborative way is a hallmark of David’s style and the basis of the Family Business Consultants Network of which David is a founding director. David is an accredited family business advisor and Patron of the Family Business Institute. He is a committed supporter and office bearer of several community based and youth organisations, including the Cancer Council Victoria and as a foundation director of the Australian Communities Foundation. David also served as the Chairman of the Victorian State Council of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

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John Beattie

Partner, CA

John moved to Melbourne from Tasmania where he began his professional career in July 1989 with Coopers and Lybrand. He joined MVA Bennett (formally MV Anderson and Co) in October 1994 and his expertise lays in general taxation and accounting. John has specialist knowledge in the capital gains tax area and good and services tax. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. He was made a Partner of MVA Bennett in 2005.

Nicholas Rodier

Partner, CA

Nicholas began his career with MVA Bennett (formally MV Anderson and Co) at the city office as an undergraduate in January 2006, completing his degree while working full-time and was admitted as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2010. Nicholas works with other members of our business services team on a large number of diverse clients. From March 2011 to February 2012 he split his working week between the city and Mount Waverley offices, From February 2012 he commenced leading the Mount Waverley office full time.

Nicholas’ roles and client dealings have evolved rapidly for the past 9 and a half years; because of this, he does not claim to have any specialist area in Accounting or Taxation, but will pursue an area of expertise in the coming years. He was made a Partner of MVA Bennett in July 2015.
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Paul Hullin

Partner, CA

Paul began his professional career at MVA Bennett (formally MV Anderson and Co) in July 1986 and was appointed Partner in 1996. During his years with MVAB he has gained an intimate knowledge of taxation and business services. Paul specialises in income tax, indirect taxes, fringe benefit tax, taxation compliance and dispute issues and corporate lease financing. Paul is a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Shaun Evans

Audit Partner, CA

Shaun is a Registered Company Auditor with over 18 years’ experience in external audit and financial reporting, the majority of which was spent with the Tasmanian affiliate of a Big 4 firm. Shaun has extensive experience in the audit of a broad range of businesses including private and public companies, listed companies and incorporated associations. This includes experience a range of industries including the Not-For-Profit, Finance and Gaming sectors.

Shaun also has experience in conducting internal audit and business process reviews for a variety of businesses and has key expertise in financial reporting, key business processes, internal controls and the identification of process weaknesses.

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Travis Fegan

Partner, FCA

Travis Fegan is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience in business, accounting and general taxation. He enjoys listening to his clients so as to assist them develop strategies that allow them to meet their financial, business and personal goals. Working closely with his clients, Travis provides valuable support and in a flexible manner, allowing clients freedom to pursue their own passion in their field of expertise.

Leadership Team

Andrew Ellem

Managing Partner, CA

Andrew manages the business of MVA Bennett which gives valuable insight and practical experience into the myriad of operational and strategic matters that underpin and support the development of a successful...

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Chris Hall

Partner, CA

Chris helps individuals, families and their businesses structure their affairs, navigate complex laws, reduce tax, and communicate with each other and other external advisors so they can...

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David Gibbs AM

Consultant

David is a business strategist and adviser with a reputation for delivering wise and practical solutions to personal, family and business financial problems.

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John Beattie

Partner, CA

John’s expertise is taxation and business support. His specialist knowledge includes the complexities of capital gains tax and GST (good and services tax), in particular...

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Nicholas Rodier

Partner, CA

Nicholas is an integral part of the MVAB Business Services team providing value added tax and accounting advice to a diverse range of clients. He is passionate about working towards their desired outcomes and ensuring...

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Paul Hullin

Partner, CA

Paul’s many years of experience has built a strong and intimate knowledge of taxation and business support services. This experience has provided great value to his clients over many years...

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Shaun Evans

Audit Partner, CA

Shaun is a Registered Company Auditor with over 20 years’ experience in the audit of a broad range of businesses including public and private companies, listed companies and incorporated associations. This includes...

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Travis Fegan

Partner, FCA

Travis brings passion and energy to all his client relationships and has a solution-based approach to his engagements. He partners with clients, understands their requirements and enjoys working on strategy...

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Sam Claringbold

Partner, CA

Sam has over 30 year’s experience as a Chartered Accountant and external auditor including 16 years working in a Big 4 accounting firm.  Sam is the MVA Bennett Assurance group leader and is currently external auditor of...

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Richard Thomas C.A.​

Partner, CA

Richard became a Partner of MVA Bennett Group following the merger with Jeffrey Thomas & Partners in 2023.  With over 25 years experience in corporate and private taxation...

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Wayne Tarrant ​

Partner, FCA

After some 22 years' as an assurance partner Wayne recently retired from PwC on 30 June 2018 . He joined a boutique audit only practice , JTP Assurance...

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Ashley Yeok

Audit Services Manager

Ashley Yeok joined the MVA Bennett team in July 2023 as part of the JT&P merger and is an audit manager in our Assurance Division. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is experienced in providing...

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Danielle Wang

Business Services Manager

Danielle joined the firm in 2010 as an accountant and is a client services manager in our Business Services division. She has developed a thorough knowledge of...

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Hoa Tran

Superannuation Services Manager

Hoa joined MVA Bennett in 2009 and is the manager of our superannuation fund division. Her knowledge includes complex superannuation legislation and regulatory laws enabling her...

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John Kelly

General Manager

John joined the firm in 2020 as General Manager of the business. Prior to joining MVA Bennett, John worked at HLB Mann Judd Melbourne as well as having experience at Beaton Research & Consulting, McInnes...

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Michael Williams

Business Services Manager

Michael joined MVA Bennett in January 2016 and is a Client Services Manager in our Business Services Division. He has experience with clients of variable sizes across different industries including...

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Nicholas Henderson

Business Services Manager

Nick joined the firm in 2006 and has experience working as a public practice accountant and is qualified as a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

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Rachana Masters

Business Services Manager

Rachana has over 20 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant. She joined MVA Bennett team in October 2021 as part of Aberdeen Advisory merger. Prior to joining MVA Bennett, Rachana was with...

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Rachel Pillidge

Corporate Services Manager

Rachel joined the MVA Bennett team in July 2023 as part of the JT&P merger. She is a client services manager of the Corporate Services division and has experience working with a broad range of clients from...

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Steph

Stephanie Cook

People and Culture Manager

Stephanie Cook joined MVA Bennett in 2023 as People and Culture Manager with over 12 years of human resources management experience across a number of industries, including 8 years in financial services.

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Talia Spencer

Administration & Office Manager

Talia joined the firm in 2008 and has qualifications in both Business Management, Corporate Secretarial and Administration. During her time at the firm, she has led both small...

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Tania Karabajakian

Business Services Manager

Tania joined the firm in 2011 as a CPA qualified Accountant with over 15 years experience in Public Practice. She has a wealth of knowledge in Business services and Taxation with specialist skills in Fringe Benefits...

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Tharindu Senanayaka

Audit Services Manager

Tharindu has 7 years of experience in external audit in financial services, public sector and non-for profits and private clients. During this time, Tharindu has worked on range of client industries and...

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Tim Naylor

Principal

Tim has over 15 years of experience as an accountant and qualified as a Certified Practicing Accountant in 2011. Tim has accumulated his experience in Business Services and Taxation over that time...

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Yiran Connell

Senior Business Services Manager

Yiran joined MVA Bennett in 2023 as part of the merger with Jeffrey Thomas and Partners. Yiran has ten- years UK tax experience. She was the group tax manager for the largest car parts distributor in the UK...

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