Judges

Drew is an award-winning Writer, Speaker, Financial Adviser & Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging advocate. He specialises in supporting business owners and their families to protect and provide for what matters most in their lives.
His company’s speciality brand Unusual Risks Insured, is the first Trauma Informed Organisation (TIO) working in Australian Financial Services.
He’s been recognised and awarded by non-industry bodies for his use of technology to connect people and businesses and his call for needed proactive anti-discrimination, inclusive & belonging practices in Australian Financial Services.
In his free time Drew works to mentor new businesses and support high-performing LGBTI+ young adults completing higher education to reach their full potential.

Dr Vincent Bicudo de Castro is an academic at Deakin Business School with a focus on business and interdisciplinary research. He is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Economics and degrees in Accounting at the bachelor, master (by research), and PhD levels, along with other qualifications. His research portfolio demonstrates remarkable versatility, spanning solo-authored works and collaborative studies that showcase his proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Vincent has industry experience in auditing, having worked for two of the world's largest audit firms, where he provided assurance services to financial institutions. In addition to his auditing career, Vincent has held a role in compliance and internal controls at a leading asset management firm, where he oversaw investments worth billions of dollars across hedge funds, private equity, equities, and real estate portfolios.

Todd Barbour has nearly 20 years’ experience assisting businesses experiencing financial difficulty. He helps clients cut through complexity and regain control during challenging periods. His work is primarily centres on supporting small businesses, with an emphasis on stabilising operations and achieving workable outcomes.

Alongside his client work, Todd is passionate about developing people. He actively mentors junior professionals, supporting them to build strong commercial judgement, confidence, and a practical, client‑focused mindset.

Todd holds qualifications in accounting, finance, information systems, and business management, and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Restructuring, Insolvency and Turnaround Association.

After 25 years in the financial services sector, Michael now runs a group of companies operating in the energy efficient home sector. With National Awards across Design, Sustainable Housing and Documentation the group is a leading voice in the move to building energy efficient, healthy homes. He also uses his financial background to lead Research and Development programs in the sector.

Peter Lynch is a leader in Professional Indemnity Insurance in the real estate, valuation and management right industry sectors.
He boasts over 30 years’ experience with Aon Risk Solutions and as the Client Manager is responsible for developing new business within the real estate sector including the identification of business opportunities with franchise groups and other stakeholders.
He took a significant role in providing advice and support to introduce a Real Estate specific indemnity insurance scheme and is responsible for the highly successful REIQ/REINT schemes which he coordinated with the assistance of industry, lawyers, underwriters and claims staff.
Peter has a strong interest in promoting safe and quality business practices in real estate and has been a regular contributor to course materials, presentations and editorial submissions. He has been called upon to be a guest speaker at training forums for the REIQ, REIA, REINT, REIWA and various franchise groups.
Peter also provides individual Risk Management training to a number of his Franchise Group clients.

At Grant Thornton Australia, my primary focus is fostering robust risk cultures and enhancing operational resilience. In my recent transition to a managerial role, I've leveraged my Chartered Accountant credentials to lead stakeholder engagements, elevating risk practices and compliance oversight. My expertise lies in aligning business continuity projects with strategic organisational goals and conducting operational resilience assessments.

The team and I have successfully embedded risk frameworks across diverse client organizations, a testament to our collaborative approach and analytical prowess. Recognized as a 'Rising Star Of The Year' and 'Accountant (Boutique Firm) of the Year', these accolades reflect my commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in the dynamic field of risk consulting.

Professor Rahat Munir is the Head of Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University. He is FCA, FCPA and PhD. Professor Munir is internationally acclaimed for his engagement with industry-driven curriculum and has been at the forefront of leading development and change initiatives. He is also forensic accounting specialist with financial crime investigative skills. He has pioneered innovative learning and teaching (L&T) practices, academic standards & accreditations. Her maintains strong ongoing relationships with external stakeholders, including professional associations, universities and communities - Universities in China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Europe. He has served on the panel for Faculty/Course Reviews of various Universities in Australia and New Zealand. With his strong engagement with industry, he leads CFO Forum, Industry Academic Series, Thought Leadership and Business Leaders Roundtables. He has written over 100 peer reviewed journal articles, conference papers, books, book chapters, monographs and commissioned reports, and over 50 publications for professional and lay audiences. Although the bulk of his research focuses on management accounting and controls, he has also published in important cognate areas such as education, CSR, corporate governance, corporate culture and research expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Professor Munir has delivered scores of invited/keynote presentations, and his expert opinions has been featured in radio, television, newspapers, newsletters, and web outlets. He is affiliated with several professional bodies including the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, Professional Risk Managers International Association, USA, American Accounting Association, British Accounting Association, Canadian Accounting Association and European Accounting Association. Professor Munir serves on various high-level Committees and Advisory Boards. Professor Munir’s sustained excellence in teaching and research has been recognised through international awards.

Is the founder and Managing Director of Forte Asset Solutions, Forte Licensing Solutions and Forte Consulting Solutions. Forte’s Asset Solutions core activity is selling financial services businesses. Forte Licensing Solutions assist practices to find the right Dealer group or become self- licenced. Forte Consulting Solutions assists business to grow.

Steve has enjoyed a successful 30 plus year career in financial services.

Steve was a Partner in Deloitte and CEO of DFS Financial Services a HNW Advisory Group. After selling DFS Steve created Australia’s first specialist financial services M&A group.

Steve is a member of the International Association of Consultants, Valuators and Analysts.

Sinthya, (CPA), Executive (MBA), is a Senior Financial Analyst at Qantas, where she looks after the Regional Workforce Division, providing critical financial insights, supporting and managing key commercial decisions and strategic planning across the wider business.

“The numbers don’t rule, they can inform, but it’s all about us as accountants inside companies having the deep understanding and skills to look at the past and present to help predict and shape the future.” She further leads multiple projects, protecting and serving the public interest by ensuring that investors and other stakeholders have materially accurate financial statements and other reliable information on which to base decisions.

Additionally, Sinthya is an Adjudicator for Australasian Reporting Awards, as well as a Judge for multiple Award shows across the Accounting industry, including Accountants Daily, Accounting Reporting Awards, Commercial Finance Awards, & Better Business Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the industry.

Also, Sinthya is a Board Member at MyQOL Incorporated Charity, and an appointed Committee Member for CPA Divisional Corporate Sector Comittee, further contributing to the Accounting Profession, Partner, and prepare members for today and tomorrow in a globally connected world.

Associate Professor Helen Spiropoulos is an academic at the University of Technology Sydney specialising in financial accounting, corporate governance, and ESG reporting. She is Deputy Editor of Accounting & Finance and Associate Editor of Australian Journal of Management and Managerial Auditing Journal. Her research has featured in prominent media outlets including ABC News, Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald and BOSS Magazine.

Group Executive, Advocacy & Professional Standards, Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
Group
At the IPA, Vicki heads the team responsible for policy development, advocacy, government
relations, media, strategic communications, publications, complaints and disciplinary,
compliance and the IPA’s co-regulatory function as a professional accounting body.
Vicki came to the IPA from the Australian Federal Treasury, where she worked in tax policy,
financial literacy, prudential regulation of the banking sector and in the Office of Best
Practice Regulation.  Prior to this, Vicki was a practicing lawyer specialising in commercial
litigation, working in Australia and overseas. She currently volunteers in the community
legal sector; and has held numerous directorships in for-profit and not-for-profit businesses.
Vicki holds a BJuris, LLB, BA, MBA (international business), DFP.

With over 25 years of experience as a property valuer in New South Wales and Victoria, Gareth has valued more than 15,000 properties, encompassing a diverse range of asset types. From residential home units and industrial development sites to luxury harbour-front dwellings, working farms, and commercial properties, Gareth brings an unmatched breadth of expertise to every valuation.

A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, where he earned a Bachelor of Land Economics in 1999, he is recognised as a Certified Practising Valuer and an Associate of the Australian Property Institute and is regularly called upon to provide expert evidence in a range of litigation matters. These qualifications underpin his commitment to the highest professional standards.

In addition to valuation, Gareth is a licensed Buyer's Agent with a proven track record of purchasing high-performing properties in every state and territory across Australia over the past decade. This dual expertise provides unique insights into property markets nationwide, blending analytical precision with strategic investment acumen.

Having collaborated extensively with lawyers, accountants, mortgage professionals, financial planners, and property developers, Gareth specialises in complex litigation matters. His experience includes being cross-examined as an expert witness and consulting with finance and accounting professionals on challenging taxation cases. This combination of technical expertise and strategic problem-solving has solidified their reputation as a trusted authority in property valuation and acquisition.