Tim Sims AM -Founder, Managing Director, Pacific Equity Partners. Previously Chairman, Managing Partner of Bain & Co Asia Pac.
We greatly enjoyed working with David during his time as CFO of Qantas. In more recent times we have worked together looking at ways in which to leverage data analytics in the search for acquisitions in the Leveraged Buy-Out space.
I am reminded of his unique combination of deep understanding of corporate financials, practical hands-on knowledge of how businesses operate and enthusiam for innovation and new and effective solutions. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and recommend David to others with complex multi-disciplinary problems to solve in their business.
Steve Atherton JP – Chair of Southern Strength – Manufacturing Business Networking Group, Deputy Chair Southern Sydney Business Education Network.
David is one of the most astute and down to earth CEO’s I have ever worked with.
Daniel Ciric – CEO Acoustica Pty Ltd
I appointed David as a Business Consultant and Mentor in June 2021. At the time, our business had been significantly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions placed on the construction industry in NSW.
We quickly agreed that the key priorities were: Financial Management & Reporting, Cash Management, and Creating and implementing a growth strategy and plan for the business.
We restructured the accounting system to provide more useful financial information and reports and implemented a cash-management and forecasting system using 13-week rolling cash forecasts to provide a clear picture of our short-term cash position, using several scenarios to measure the potential impact of the pandemic.
We were then able to take the next steps to identify potential opportunities to grow the business progressively over the coming months and years.
Utilising David’s extensive skills and experience as a corporate CFO and CEO has enabled us to quickly achieve significant progress and map out a clear strategy for ongoing growth.
Having David as a coach and mentor has also been extremely valuable for me personally. I would highly recommend him to any business owner or executive seeking to grow their business and personal skills.
Hugh Verdoom – Independant Business Consultant and Coach
I have worked with and been coached by David for the past 15 months.
David imparts extensive business knowledge and in particular, online marketing knowledge, to his coaching clients. The standout for me is just how generous David is with his knowledge and experience, and the lengths he goes to, ensuring his students gain good value from their sessions.
Intelligent, driven and a real gentleman.
Gerry Harvey- Executive Chairman of Harvey Norman Group.
David has reported directly to me. I have found him to be an honest and hard working manager with a straight forward and direct manner, and I believe a high level of personal integrity.
Chris Curtis – Former State Sales Manager – Caesarstone Queensland
In our Greenfields Caesarstone business David’s commercial astuteness, coupled with his corporate experience, were the major contributing factors to our immediate growth. David offers a very transparent style of management and is an excellent mentor. I benefited from studying his style and his mentoring, and have adjusted my style of management accordingly.
David is very grounded for someone who has had so much experience not just here in Australia but Internationally, and can relay this experience, and guidance at any level be it the board room or in a Stonemason’s workshop. I have leveraged my experience gained from David to become a very successful State and National Manager of some of the construction industries leading companies
Steve Baldwin – former Head of Private Equity, Colonial First State
I was a fellow Board member at AKI with David from 1998 to 2004, a period during which he as CEO led the creation of a national kitchen retailer. During this period of significant growth, I always found David to be a man of high integrity with a drive to succeed and strong work ethic.
Michael Hall-Former Managing Director-Nobby Kitchens & Sales Director-Australian Kitchen Industries
David’s advice and leadership proved crucial in the transition of our business from a family owned enterprise into a professionally run corporate entity. This was achieved through David’s ability to develop a compelling business case which enabled us to bring in a private equity joint venture partner.
David has an excellent grasp of strategy and a clear understanding of the principles of financial management and was able to build and coach a strong team that was able to take the business forward in the next leg of its expansion.
David’s advice would be of great assistance for any small to medium business that is looking at a growth or transitional strategy. Handling these changes is not easy and planning, a key strength of David’s, is necessary for a successful outcome. I continue to work in the corporate sector and have maintained a continuous run of Board appointments since my time with David. I would certainly recommend David to any prospective business owner looking for growth or change.
Steven Bosley – Managing Director Amorini Australia, Former Director AKI and Managing Director Wallspan
David worked with My Business partner and I for 7 years after Australian Kitchen Industries, of which David was C.E.O acquired our company, Wallspan as part of their National growth strategy. David’s 20 plus years in senior executive management positions in a number of industries enabled him to coach us and help to broaden our business knowledge so we could comfortably continue developing new profitable and exciting business opportunities.
Steve Atherton-CEO Airchange Australia-Former Operations Director- AKI
I worked with David for 5 years as a member of the executive team for Australian Kitchen Industries (AKI), where David was CEO. During that time the new executive team, of which I was a part, grew the business from a turnover of $10m to become a profitable company with an annual turnover of $65m. David put together a strong team with a mix of corporate and family business experience.
During the 5 years that I worked with David he significantly enhanced the skills of the team and provided strong leadership & guidance in terms of business decisions and personal development of each team member. David has the ability to relate to people at all levels of an organization and to quickly hone in on opportunities for improvement; he is also the type of person that will lead change and involve himself in the implementation of the changes wherever necessary.
David’s experience in the corporate sector enables him to take a high level strategic view of businesses and seek out opportunities for growth and improvement.
Having had David as a mentor greatly assisted me to reach the level of CEO and I would most highly recommend him to any business owner or executive seeking to improve their business and grow their business skills
David Burkett – Former Financial Analyst ACP – Australia’s largest magazine company. More recently General Manager/COO (Australia/NZ) Time Inc
Early in my career David employed me as a financial analyst at ACP Magazines and then at Murdoch Magazines. David was an exceptional manager and a strong mentor; equipping me with strong financial discipline, an analytical approach and a commercial appreciation which have been at the foundations of my career. David’s corporate resume speaks for itself in the value he can bring to a business in his new consulting venture.
John Ward-Former CEO QANTAS
David, I had high expectations of you when you joined us (as Chief Financial Officer of QANTAS). To be honest, you have far exceeded my expectations.
Dr Bill Willetts-Former CEO Dubai Aluminium Company
I have known David for some 6 years. I have no hesitation in commending him to you both as a very competent finance man and as a member of any team striving to meet demanding targets.
His integrity is beyond question and equally importantly he is able to lead and develop people.