Concept Financial Services Group is a boutique, family-owned Australian financial services group that was established in 1991.
CFSG only deals with Sophisticated and Professional Investors that are classified as Wholesale Clients as defined in Sections 708, 761G and 761GA of the Corporations Act 2001. Concept does not transact with, or have relationships with retail clients.
CFSG’s investment banking services are conducted through CFSG Pty Ltd, holder of Australian Financial Services License No. 238135, while direct investments are mostly made through Concept Asset Investments Pty Ltd.
The guiding principles of CFSG’s corporate vision are to:
Since 1991, we have been involved in: private and public company mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, schemes of arrangement and divestments; capital raisings of various size and complexity across a range of industries as well as the investment of proprietary capital in high-growth enterprises alongside our clients.
We act on both the buy-side and sell-side for private and public listed companies in the planning, origination, structuring, valuation, negotiation and closing stages of transactions as well as in post-merger integration and divestment of surplus assets.
We raise equity, hybrid or debt capital for private and public listed companies through placements, rights issues and convertible notes where the capital is mainly used to finance merger and acquisition transactions, capital expenditure and working capital purposes as well as for debt repayment.
We assist clients with carefully considered strategic advice that focuses on reviewing current strategies and where necessary, in the structuring and planning of new business models that give our clients a competitive advantage in a highly competitive environment.
We invest proprietary capital alongside our clients in high-growth enterprises where the investment opportunity has invariably been originated by us, and, where we have structured an inventive investment model that is capable of delivering outstanding returns over a 3-5 year period.
In particular, we have developed close working relationships with a select panel of preferred clients, drawn from a cross-section of investor categories, to whom we regularly submit investment opportunities.
Marcus is Executive Chairman and founder of the Concept Financial Services Group.
Marcus is one of Australia’s foremost investment bankers. He has specialist skills in technical and security analysis and has over 30 years of professional experience in capital markets. Marcus has advised and acted on behalf of major Australian and international companies and has been responsible for a substantial number of successful merger, acquisition and takeover transactions, debt and equity capital raisings and initial public offerings.
Marcus has extensive corporate experience having served on the boards of various listed public companies and numerous private companies. He has also acted as an advisor and board member to superannuation funds, charitable organisations, sporting clubs and a political party.
Marcus is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, an Associate of the Real Estate Institute of Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Professor Rickard was Vice-Chancellor, Southern Cross University NSW and has previously held senior positions at both Monash and Melbourne Universities as well as having been a visiting Professor at Cranfield University and the London Business School.
Professor Rickard has had extensive consulting experience to both the public and private sectors having specialised in complex problem solving and strategic advice.
Professor Rickard has authored a series of books including “Borrowing and Lending Money” and “Statistics for Business and Economics”. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management.
Professor Rickard has had an involvement with the Concept Financial Services Group since its inception.
Eden is a securities analyst, trader and asset manager with specialist skills in technical trading and investment. Prior to joining CFSG, Eden had extensive experience working for some of the world’s largest media companies including News Corporation and Clear Channel. During his time with those organisations he worked on high-profile media brands including the Herald-Sun, The Australian, The Weekly Times and AdShel. He has worked in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Eden has completed a number of successful direct investments and is an investment manager responsible for the group’s trading portfolio and investment holdings.
Eden has a business degree from Monash University and an Arts degree from the University of Melbourne.
Jason specialises in mergers and acquisitions as well as investment analysis. His skills extend to developing highly sophisticated financial models and forecasting tools. Jason commenced his professional career in the audit division of KPMG where he focused on clients within the manufacturing and financial services sectors. He then moved into the media and advertising industries where his clients spanned various sectors including retail, banking, consumer products, utilities and travel. He has a particular interest in innovative and high-growth companies and is a regular writer on the subject. Jason has been involved in a number of successful direct investments and transactions.
Jason has degrees in Commerce and Arts from Monash University and a Masters degree in Applied Finance & Investment from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Lisa is a qualified Chartered Accountant who holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is the group’s Chief Financial Officer. Her functions include general accounting, management reporting, tax and audit. Lisa has been with Concept for over 10-years and was previously with BDO.