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We are a wholly independent, financially secure business established in 1984 and operating from Sydney CBD premises acquired by our Directors in 1996.

We are a team of industry leading strategic thinkers offering clear unbiased advice to our clients through the development of close personal and professional relationships;

We offer unparalleled asset finance structuring and credit underwriting expertise with deep financial sector experience and strong deal execution capabilities;

We are committed to championing our clients’ interests in the development and underwriting of bespoke, competitively priced, flexible funding solutions to support major plant and equipment purchases; business acquisitions and debt restructuring.

John Dennis , CEO

B.Com
((Accounting, Systems & Finance) University of NSW )
M.Com
((Corporate Finance/ Treasury) University of NSW)

John is the founding Director and Shareholder of the Australian Structured Group, establishing the business in 1984

John is a principal deal originator with an extraordinary depth of knowledge of the Australian equipment finance industry including the establishment of several major Vendor Finance companies for international equipment manufacturers; Residual Value Investment vehicles and a large number of significant syndicated equipment finance facilities – many exceeding $100M. Particular strengths include outstanding structuring and credit underwriting capabilities coupled with an unparalleled personal network of senior decision makers within the domestic Institutional, Corporate and Commercial Banking and Finance sector.He founded the ASF Group in 1984.

John is a regular speaker and presenter at Banking industry forums and events and provides Australian market commentary relating to domestic plant and equipment values, market trends and equipment finance to a number of international research organisations, media outlets and publications.

John also has a strong corporate governance background that includes engagement with the Banking sectors peak industry body- the Australian Equipment Lessors Association “AELA” since 1986. He was elected onto the AELA Council in 2003, was elevated to Deputy Chair in 2006-2007 and Chairman in 2007-2008 by his peers and represented AELA during negotiations for its absorption into the Australian Finance Industry Association “AFIA”, completed in late 2017 (www.afia.asn.au) . He remains the most experienced and longest serving member on the current Equipment Finance Division Council within AFIA, reflecting his extensive industry standing.

John was a Director of the Abbotsleigh School Foundation from 2001 to 2012 with a heavy fundraising and community engagement emphasis. He has maintained significant involvement with Variety the Children’s Charity NSW since 2006 as a “Bash” participant, raising and donation nearly $1.00 million through ASF, its clients and financiers. He has been on the Variety Board and Chair of various Committees since 2012, was Deputy Chairman of Variety from 2015-2017 and is the current 2018-2019 Board Chairman. These roles have all been on a voluntary basis.

Joshua Wheeler , Director

B.Com
((Economics) University of Wollongong)

Joshua Wheeler joined the Australian Structured Finance group in 1999 and is an Executive Director

Joshua entered the Australian working capital and equipment finance markets in 1990 with National Australia Bank where he progressed to senior roles spanning credit management and marketing prior to joining Rabobank where he assumed responsibility for direct to Bank and Vendor Sales relationships nationally.

Joshua joined Australian Structured Finance in 1999 to manage ASF’s manufacturer and vendor alliances unit – equipment finance programs developed to support plant and equipment sales for manufacturers, distributors and re-sellers that has included for example, the Scanlease program for Scania Australia between 1999 – 2016 supporting over $400 million in vehicle and equipment sales.

In addition to overseeing the manufacturer and vendor alliances unit, Joshua originates, structures and manages tailored equipment lease and finance solutions up to and exceeding $100M for individual commercial, corporate and government clients across a number of industry sectors.

Rod Ahern , GM Credit

Rod joined the Australian Structured Finance group in 2005 as CEO of the group Operating Lease investment vehicle – Residual Capital Pty Ltd, eventually moving into a direct deal origination role with the groups structured and equipment finance team in 2007.

Rod entered the Banking and Finance industry in 1980 where he held a variety of roles at ANZ/ Esanda prior to joining National Australia Bank where he had significant credit approval oversight; was NSW State Manager – Equipment Finance and National Manager of NAB’s Vendor Finance & Alliances division which he established and grew into a portfolio of over $500 million within 5 years, assuming national responsibility for all direct and third party originated operating lease transactions written for the Bank.

As a senior National Australia Bank executive, Rod represented the Bank on the AELA Council over several years prior to joining Australian Structured Finance.

A persistent networker and deal originator with a deep understanding of credit and extensive deal structuring skills, Rod maintains a number of large client relationships across a broad number of industries.

Nathan Hogan , GM Business Development

B. Business
((Accounting) ACU)

Nathan’s extensive career in asset based finance has included senior team leadership, origination and mentoring roles with Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank and GE Capital prior to joining ASF in 2014.

Nathan’s extensive career in leasing and equipment finance has included senior roles with Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank – where he was State Manager Asset Finance for Direct and Third party distribution in Victoria and Tasmania and a member of NAB’s National Risk Committee (developing policy and procedure on their $11.00 Billion asset finance portfolio).

Prior to joining Australian Structured Finance in 2014, Nathan was the NSW & ACT State Manager – Equipment Finance for GE Capital, mentoring a large team of equipment finance originators.

Nathan is an experienced & engaging financier with strengths in identifying new opportunities & driving business development and origination; relationship management; client strategy and product innovation in Equipment Finance, Asset Backed Lending, Working Capital Solutions, Debt Restructuring, Commercial Banking, Risk & Asset Management.

A lateral thinker with exceptional problem solving skills, Nathan has developed innovative funding solutions and structures to support a number of significant debt restructuring and business acquisition facilities.

advisory panel

Shane Rowley

BEc
(Bachelor Economics Macquarie University)
CEP
(Law Macquarie University)

Shane is the Managing Director of ConGen Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd http://congen.com.au/ , an independent insurance broking service specialising in construction and mining insurance, as well as all general insurances located within the ASF group offices in Sydney.

An accountant by profession, Shane has over 40 years of experience in senior accounting and management roles within Publicly Listed and large private companies, including 28 years in the construction industry with Abigroup Limited; Bilfinger Berger Australia; Valemus Limited and Lend Lease. Senior roles have included Company Secretary, General Manager Treasury and Board Director.

Career highlights have included the successful placement of a AUD1.00 Billion syndicated banking facility; obtaining an S&P credit rating for the Valemus Limited IPO; establishing and running an offshore captive insurance company for Abigroup and the general management of tax, insurance and treasury requirements of the Abigroup, Baulderstone and Conneq group of companies.

Shane also provides corporate advisory services to select clients in addition to managing ConGen Insurance Brokers.

Jose Blanco

BA
(LLB)
Arts
(Law Macquarie University)

Jose is the founding partner of Blanco Partners http://www.blancopartners.com/ , an independent advisory group focused on the markets of Australia, Latin America and Spain, that was established in 2012 and is based in ASF’s Sydney offices.

Jose is the founding partner of Blanco Partners http://www.blancopartners.com/ , an independent advisory group focused on the markets of Australia, Latin America and Spain, that was established in 2012 and is based in ASF’s Sydney offices.

Prior to establishing Blanco Partners, Jose spent 22 years managing the Australian operations of Spain’s largest bank, Banco Santander, and before that was a partner in the Australian law firm, Bodors, and later a consultant to the law firm, Cutler Hughes and Harris.

Jose is currently chairman of the Australia-Latin America Business Council, a counsellor of Dragoman Global and an advisor to several foreign companies and legal firms operating in Australia with interests or aspirations in Spain and Latin America, most recently including international law firm, Clyde & Co.

Jose previously served as the Deputy Chairman of the Australian Government’s Council on Australia Latin America Relations from 2001 to 2010, as President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Australia from 2001 to 2008, and as a member of the Advisory Council of the Institute for International Studies of the University of Technology, Sydney from 1997 to 2001.

Jose’s work in championing the commercial links between Australia and Spain and Latin America has been recognised by the awarding to him of Spain’s ‘Orden de Mérito Civil’ in 1992, Chile’s ‘Orden de Bernardo O’Higgins’ in 1995 and in 2001 the ‘Orden Olímpica’ by the Spanish National Olympic Committee.

Donovan Wearne

BSc
(DipMgt, CIVTAE)

Donovan has worked in senior management roles in Australia and overseas for leading multinational organisations and has managed some of Australia’s largest brand and product portfolios. He is Chairman of two Advisory Boards and actively mentors senior executives and Board members across a number of diverse industries.

Donovan has worked in senior management roles in Australia and overseas for leading multinational organisations and has managed some of Australia’s largest brand and product portfolios. Donovan’s experience covers Executive Director and Executive General Management roles in multinational consumer products and manufacturing groups (Electrolux Home Products and Rothmans International), where he ran country market and global responsibilities with billion dollar plus annual sales revenues and was responsible for Marketing, Sales, Logistics, Export and Product Development.

As Program Head for Sponsorship and Business Development; Sydney Organizing Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games, Donovan was part of the fundraising team that achieved its objective to raise a revenue target of $650 million from corporate Australia. He also negotiated the tripartite deal with government and the asset owners, Energy Australia to place all power lines underground at the Homebush Olympic Park precinct.

In 2004, Donovan joined the private equity industry to provide corporate advisory services to Australian SME’s including high growth companies looking to expand and early stage ventures seeking to commercialise new technologies. Donovan retains interests in companies introduced through his corporate advisory practice.

Currently, Donovan is Chairman of two Advisory Boards with Coraggio www.coraggio.com.au where he is actively involved in mentoring and advising the business owners/CEO/MDs of a broad range of companies in diverse industries ranging from $10 million to $300+ million in sales turnover, operating locally and internationally.

He is also on the boards of a number of private firms and consults on business strategy and leadership with Navorgators Business Advisory www.navorgators.com.au which he founded in 2007.

John Fernandez

John is an experienced business development strategist and implementer, with the ability to assist companies that are in a rapid expansion mode or seeking to develop new ventures.

John is an experienced business development strategist and implementer, with the ability to assist companies that are in a rapid expansion mode or seeking to develop new ventures.

John’s career spans chartered accounting, financial advisory, project management, commercial and manufacturing operations, Board representation, venture capital and investment banking.

In the capital markets arena, John has been involved in projects where he successfully raised in excess of AU$400 million in funds and in structuring new and established business ventures. He has also undertaken due diligence of targeted businesses for M&A activity; prepared companies for capital offerings; directly led the participation in investment offering presentations to institutional, professional and high net worth investors; and identified and implemented the mechanisms, timing and ultimate execution of exit strategies.

John was formerly co-founder and managing director of an Australia-New Zealand boutique structured finance and venture capital organization that held substantial management and financial interests in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, consumer technology and hotel and leisure industries. He also served as an in-house member of the executive and as an advisor to the board of a substantial trans-Tasman pharmaceuticals group in preparation for an IPO on the Australian and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

John’s current role is managing director of THN Pty Limited, an Australian Financial Services and Credit License holder providing financial and investment advisory, funds management and direct funding services to Australian small and medium-sized businesses.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, John has a wide network of business contacts spanning Australasia, mainland China, the U.S.A., and Europe.