About us
Specialising in transactions from $5–250M, we’ve been involved in more than 40 successful, end-to-end M&A exits over the past six years under the leadership of Graeme McKellar.
Our expertise spans diverse sectors — from technology, SaaS and software, to mining, defence and management consulting, to staff leasing and BPO; and industrial products and services — find out who we support with our end-to-end sell-side services.
We’ve walked
in your shoes
Our team is made up of entrepreneurs and business owners who have founded, operated, and exited our own companies. We know what it takes to achieve an exceptional exit, and we work collaboratively – with each other and alongside our clients – to make it happen.
Senior expertise,
front and centre
To give every client access to top-tier guidance, we’ve structured our team with expertise in mind. Eighty percent of our senior team has 20+ years’ experience spanning business, strategy, and M&A.
We only work with a select number of transactions at a time. Fewer transactions. More focus. Better outcomes for our clients.
Our team
We are multidisciplinary specialists, each an expert in our own field.
Graeme McKellar
M&A advisor, growth strategist and entrepreneur with first-hand experience founding, operating and exiting his own ventures.
Graeme helps companies grow equity value and prepare for premium shareholder exits. His reputation in the market is a result of his proven track record, including establishing Microsoft’s accelerator investment program and leading over 40 successful M&A transactions worldwide in the past 6 years. He specialises in growth strategy, acquisitions, capital raising, and restructures, combining strategic clarity with a hands-on approach to deliver above-market valuations. Having walked the founder’s path multiple times himself, he understands the challenges and rewards – as well as the personal and financial weight – of every shareholder journey.
Toby Lace
M&A advisor and strategic finance specialist with expertise in showcasing businesses at their full financial potential.
Toby is a seasoned M&A expert following his extensive tenure at PwC. He has supported over 30 businesses in the past 7 years, including private equity, privately owned, and listed companies. Most recently he has focused on iconic companies in the software sector, working on transactions worth over $3 billion, while also advising clients across manufacturing, FMCG, and mining. He works closely with Graeme in leading the M&A transactions at McKellar Partners.
Jennifer Tagney
M&A advisor with extensive experience in professional services, private equity and corporate buy-side environment.
Jennifer is a highly experienced M&A and corporate finance expert with a background spanning roles within KPMG’s M&A team in Brisbane, as a Partner at Growth Story Capital (a Brisbane-based private equity firm), and most recently leading Auriga’s Corporate Development function driving strategic growth and deal execution. Jennifer has broad experience across several sectors including technology platforms, industrials businesses and both consumer products and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Jennifer leads M&A transactions alongside the other M&A Directors in the McKellar Partners team.
Josh Pedley
M&A manager with strong foundations in corporate finance and M&A transactions.
Before joining McKellar Partners, Josh built his experience within the Corporate Finance team of a Big Four firm in New Zealand, and gained broad exposure across financial modelling, business valuation and transaction support, including buy-side, sell-side and capital raising. Josh has gained exposure across a range of sectors, including construction, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, animal health and telecommunications. Josh graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance with minors in Accounting and Economics.
Josh supports the M&A Directors in business analysis, documentation and the management of due diligence processes, while also providing support and oversight to associates.
Dr Lisa McKellar
Research specialist with background in corporate finance, economics, innovation consulting and business management.
Lisa’s expertise lies in her rigorous approach to research. Through her meticulous examination of the market, she connects clients with ideal strategic buyers and has played a key role in close to 20 successful exits over the past 6 years. Lisa is a published academic with a PhD in agricultural economics and systems analysis, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA). She is our lead researcher at McKellar Partners, and also assists our M&A Directors to manage the M&A process and support client needs.
Shaun Howse
M&A analyst with experience spanning domestic and cross-border transactions, supporting end-to-end deal execution.
Before joining McKellar Partners, Shaun gained broad exposure across consulting, audit, and business improvement, giving him insight into different business functions and markets. His time in equity sales at a global investment bank further strengthened his understanding of international equity markets. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Bachelor of Economics (International Trade & Finance) from the University of Queensland.
At McKellar Partners, Shaun supports the M&A Directors with business analysis and financial modelling, documentation, and the coordination of due diligence.
Ludwig Ann Yepez
M&A analyst with experience across financial modelling, valuations, and investment analysis.
Ludwig Ann has built broad experience spanning financial modelling, investment analysis, and consulting. She began her career as an Associate Consultant, before moving into investment analyst roles, focusing on financial statement analysis, forecasting, and supporting venture capital transactions. Ludwig Ann holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce (De La Salle University, Philippines), with a major in Management of Financial Institutions, Business and Finance.
Ludwig Ann supports our M&A Directors with business analysis and modelling, documentation, and the coordination of due diligence.
Elaine Mendoza
Elaine is an experienced Executive Assistant and administrative professional with a strong background in executive support, project coordination, customer service, and office administration.
Over her career, she has worked across industries such as accounting, outsourcing, education, and customer relations, building a well-rounded foundation in managing operations and supporting C-suite executives. With over 12 years of administrative experience, she has skills in finance reporting, project management, and client communication to support executives and teams to remain productive, informed, and on schedule.