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.
Alistair Swanson
M&A advisor with extensive experience in corporate M&A and operational management.
Alistair is a highly experienced M&A executive with a background in roles such as Global M&A Manager for Shell LPG International in London leading the restructure of Shell’s global portfolio of 60+ operating companies through mergers, acquisitions and disposals. He was also instrumental in co-designing Unilever Ventures, a VC-backed entity established to fast-track acquisitions and new technologies, raising €240m in funding. Alistair has broad experience across several sectors including mining energy and oil & gas, FMCG, and technology. Alistair backs this up with extensive operational management and business transformation experience.
Alistair is based in Perth, Western Australia, and will focus on leading M&A transactions in local and international markets that are WA-centric.
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.
Declan McWhirter
M&A Manager with global experience in M&A advisory and financial due diligence.
With over four years of corporate finance experience, Declan has advised private equity and corporate clients across buy-side, sell-side and capital raising transactions. Prior to joining McKellar Partners, he spent three years in London advising clients across Europe and the US on strategic acquisitions and divestments. Declan began his corporate finance career in the M&A team at PwC Australia, where he advised lower middle-market enterprises on a range of transactions and strategic reviews. At McKellar Partners, Declan plays a key role in transaction execution, building strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders and supporting the seamless execution of transactions. Declan holds a Bachelor of Business in Economics and Finance from Queensland University of Technology and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance from Kaplan Professional.
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.
Ivan Zoe Dimaculangan
Corporate finance analyst with experience across M&A research, financial modelling and due diligence, and data analytics.
Ivan Zoe brings experience spanning investment research and financial analysis, including financial modelling, due diligence, comparable company analysis, forecasting, and management reporting. He also has strong technical capability in Alteryx, Power BI, Power Query, Power Pivot, and Excel, supporting the development of automated datasets, dashboards, and financial models. He has previously held roles at FactSet, PwC Acceleration Center Manila and KPMG RG Manabat & Co.
Zoe supports our M&A Directors with business analysis and modelling, documentation, and the coordination of due diligence
Jordan Mendoza
M&A Administrator supporting corporate advisory and sell-side acquisition engagements.
Jordon has joined our team bringing experience in deal sourcing, target research, CRM management, transaction support, and stakeholder coordination. Prior to his involvement in M&A and corporate advisory, Jordan built a strong foundation in executive support, business administration, customer operations, and client coordination across professional services, employment verification, e-commerce, and customer support environments. This diverse experience has equipped him with exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
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.
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.