I was major owner of the superannuation software company, Financial Synergy for 38 years from 1979 to 2017, where it became the dominant provider of superannuation software to the large superannuation and similar complex funds of Australia and the region. I was proud to finally sell the business to the listed company IRESS in 2017. For the past 13 years, Richard Leckey has been my trusted advisor, successfully advising me on a large number of projects including valuations of our business, strategies for its sale, sale of our trustee services business, assessing international expansion options and valuation and general advisory exercises.
In 2016 and 2017 Richard Leckey has been project manager of my company Optimum Annuities an exciting commercialisation project to bring a superior lifetime annuity to market to meet the rapidly growing market for effective longevity protection products. This has involved diligently researching superannuation legislation, developing the product and solutions, competitor assessment and seeking out and negotiating with commercial partners and other sources.