First Samuel Limited

Anthony Starkins - Founder and Executive Director - LLB, BEc, CFA, FFin, MAICD

Anthony is the Founder and Executive Director of First Samuel.  He has over 30 years' experience in the investment and finance industry.

Anthony's previous experience includes working with J.P. Morgan Investment for 9 years, where his last role was Regional Head of Marketing Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. He also spent 10 years with Schroders PLC in a variety of capital markets and treasury related capacities in Melbourne, Sydney, Tokyo and London.

He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, holds Bachelors' degrees in both Laws and Economics from Monash University, has completed the University of Oxford Advanced Management Program and also the University of Michigan Business School Strategic Marketing Program; is a fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the CFA Institute.

He is an executive director of First Samuel Limited and a Director of Alfred Health.  He was, until recently, a Director of the Melbourne Football Club and Ruyton Girls' School. He is also a trustee of a number of charitable foundations.

Anthony is married with 5 children, all of school age. He is a passionate and occasionally disappointed Melbourne Football Club supporter and still plays cricket (for the Mt Eliza Cricket Club).  

Joe Flinn - General Manager - BAcc, CA

Joe has responsibility for all aspects of the strategic, human resource, operational, administrative and technology needs of the business.

He has over 20 years' experience in the financial services industry in the UK and Australia, including 10 years with MLC.

Immediately prior to joining First Samuel he was Chief Financial Officer for Plum Financial Services, MLC's corporate superannuation business in Melbourne. Prior to that he had held a number of senior finance roles at MLC in Sydney and has considerable experience in financial management, project management and strategic planning, with a focus on business integration and improvement. He was a senior member of the Integration Program following the acquisition of MLC by NAB.

Joe is a Chartered Accountant by training, having spent 6 years in a variety of audit roles in Glasgow, Hong Kong and Sydney. He holds a Bachelor degree in Accountancy and Economics from the University of Glasgow and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

He is married with two daughters and enjoys rugby, cooking and trying to stay fit.  

Dennison Hambling - Chief Investment Officer - MCom (Hons), CFA

Dennison is the Chief Investment Officer of First Samuel and has over 10 years' experience in the investment Industry.

Prior to joining First Samuel he was a portfolio Manager with Cooper Investors (formerly Paradise Cooper), based in Melbourne, where he managed Australian / NZ and Global Equities.

Before that he spent two years at Goldman Sachs JB Were's NZ and UK offices advising on and researching Australian equities. Prior to JB Were he spent five years at New Zealand's Funds Management Ltd as an Australian equities analyst.

Dennison holds a Masters Degree (First Class) in Commerce (majoring in Economics) from the University of Auckland and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts.

He is married with three young children and enjoys swimming, running, travel, history and reading Agatha Christie novels.  

Nikki Hill - Head of Client Strategy - CFP, MTax, BBus, CA

Nikki has over 12 years' experience in the financial services industry. Nikki specialises in structuring, taxation planning and self managed superannuation funds.

Nikki previously worked with Goldman Sachs JB Were as a Strategic Financial Adviser. Nikki has been a Chartered Accountant for over 16 years (ex KPMG) and is a Certified Financial Planner. She holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from Monash University and a Masters degree in Taxation from the University of Melbourne and is a fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia.

Nikki is married to Alex and is a step mum to Luke. Nikki is a part time Carlton supporter and enjoys running, occasional golf, travel, writing, movies and cooking.

Nikki is qualified under the requirements of the Financial Services Reform Act and authorised by First Samuel to give financial advice.  

Cameron Blackwell - Portfolio Administrator - BApp Sci (UTAS), GDip App Fin (FINSIA)

Cameron is a Portfolio Administrator who has been working in financial services since 2003.

Most recently he worked with Computershare as a senior administrator in Unit Registry.

Prior to this he spent 3 years in the UK working as an account manager for the National Health Service.

Cameron holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Tasmania and has completed a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment through FINSIA.

He is an able sportsman and plays tennis, indoor soccer and ping-pong. He is a member of the North Melbourne Football Club.  

 Emma Coote - Controller Investments and Finance - BBS(Hons), FCCA

Emma has 9 years' experience in the accounting industry and is responsible for the accounting records of both clients' investments and the Company.

Before joining First Samuel, Emma worked in the Finance department of Stryker Orthopaedics in Ireland.

Prior to this she worked for 4 years in a public accountancy practice, where she completed her accountancy training.

Emma holds a Bachelor Degree (First Class Honours) in Business Computing from the Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

She is a member of the Carlton Football Club and enjoys travelling, reading, and movies.

Simon Devlin - Strategist - CFP, BBus (FP)

Simon is a Certified Financial Planner and holds a Bachelor of Business in Financial Planning from RMIT.

Simon has over  10 years' experience in the financial services industry in Australia and the UK.  Prior to joining First Samuel, Simon was an Associate Financial Adviser with AFS London and Mercer Wealth Solutions. His previous experience includes working for the National Australia Bank and Standard Life.

Simon enjoys a wide array of sports (in particular AFL, soccer and golf) travelling and cooking.

Simon is qualified under the requirements of the Financial Services Reform Act and authorised by First Samuel to give financial advice.  

Jenny Forbes - Client Service Co-ordinator - GDipFP, BBus

Jenny has been with First Samuel for 7 years. She previously held the role of Business Manager before starting a family and returning on a part-time basis.

Prior to joining First Samuel, Jenny's experience included working in the Recruitment industry as an Executive Assistant and in Hospitality as Reservations Manager.

Jenny holds a Bachelor of Business and has recently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning through Kaplan.

Craig Fraser - Senior Account Manager - BBus, Dip Acc

Craig is a Senior Account Manager and has over 17 years' experience in the finance industry.

Craig is responsible for the implementation of the investment decisions and the day-to-day investment administration of client portfolios.

Prior to joining First Samuel in 2002, Craig held positions at Merrill Lynch Private (Aust) Ltd, State Street Australia Ltd and National Custodian Services.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Business Degree, majoring in Accounting, from Phillip Institute of Technology, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from La Trobe University.  

Fleur Graves - Equities Analyst - MasterComLaw, MIB, BEng, BBus

Fleur is First Samuel's Equities Analyst, responsible for analysing companies and industries that we invest in on behalf of our clients.

Prior to joining First Samuel, Fleur spent eight years in Project Management and Business Development roles. Prior to this Fleur was employed as a Project Engineer for 4 years.

Fleur holds a Master of Commercial Law, a Master of International Business, a Bachelor (Hons) of Engineering and a Bachelor of Business.  

Roy Leech - Private Client Adviser - MFinP, Dip Acc, Adv Dip Fin Ser (FP), FTIA, FIPA

Roy has over 17 years' experience in the financial services industry with the last 8 years focused on working with clients in relation to their investment, banking and philanthropic strategies.

Prior to joining First Samuel, Roy held the position of Head of Relationships & Business Development at ANZ Trustees, where he worked with Not for Profit organisations and charitable trusts with a focus on investment management, cash flow and strategic financial objectives.

Other senior roles at ANZ have included National Business Owner & Investors Segment Head and Senior Private Banker.  These positions followed on from his role as a Manager at Ernst & Young.

Roy is married with a daughter and as well as being a passionate Hawthorn supporter, enjoys travelling, exercise and most of all spending time with family and friends.  

 Jack Ngo - Associate Client Strategist - LLB, BCom, MW'thMgt

Jack has been working in financial services since 2005.

Prior to joining First Samuel, Jack worked as a Senior Tax Consultant at Ernst and Young and Associate Advisor at Pitcher Partners Investment Services.  

Jack holds a double degree in Commerce and Laws from Melbourne University as well as a Masters of Wealth Management from Deakin University.

Jack maintains an active lifestyle by playing basketball and golf.  He enjoys reading, travelling and outdoor activities.

Susanne Retallick - Business Manager

Susanne is First Samuel's Business Manager.

She has over 17 years' experience in administration, with a background primarily in the marketing sector.

Prior to joining First Samuel, Susanne worked for 4 years with Adair Integrated Marketing where she held the position of Administration Manager. Prior to that, she held various administration roles in a number of direct marketing companies.

Susanne has an adult daughter and spends her leisure time scuba diving, windsurfing and practicing Bikram Yoga.

Duro Rudic - Senior Strategist - CFP, DipFP, BBus (Acc)

Duro is a Certified Financial Planner and holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from Swinburne University and a Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University. Duro is a Senior Strategist with First Samuel.

Prior to joining First Samuel, Duro was a director and shareholder in a boutique financial planning practice and has previously held positions as Compliance Manager and Responsible Officer for an Australian Financial Services Licensee.

Duro has over 17 years' experience in the financial services industry with the last 14 years dedicated to financial planning where Duro has managed the financial affairs of high net worth individuals and their families.

Duro is a keen sportsman and plays pennant grade badminton.

Duro is qualified under the requirements of the Financial Services Reform Act and authorised by First Samuel to give financial advice.  

Kelly White - Portfolio Administrator - BCom

Kelly is a Portfolio Administrator who has been working in accounting since 2003.

Before joining First Samuel in 2010, Kelly worked in audit with Ernst & Young.  Prior to this she spent 5 years working in accounts in the building and construction industry before relocating to Melbourne from Perth.

Kelly holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Business Law from Curtin University.

She enjoys travelling, keeping fit and is a member of the Fremantle Football Club.