MEET OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO INDIVIDUALLY TAILOR THE RIGHT STRATEGIES FOR OUR CLIENTS
Damien Skidmore
B.Bus(Fin). DFP, JP
Financial Adviser
Damien has a diverse and sophisticated background in financial markets. In 1990 he started work with Westpac Foreign Exchange monitoring foreign currency breaches in ‘minor’ currencies. In 1995 Damien took up a role as a futures trader and broker with the U.S merchant bank J.P Morgan. Damien was a registered representative of the Sydney Futures Exchange and a New York Mercantile Exchange trader (NYMEX Access).
This experience led to Damien starting his own trading business in 1998 as a ‘local’ trader on the Sydney Futures Exchange, trading mainly medium dated bond derivatives, currencies and equities.
Damien commenced advising retail clients in 2002 as part of the Australian Unity Financial Planning license and was named the Australian Unity Financial Planner of the year in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Damien has a Bachelor of Business (Finance), a diploma of Financial Planning (FAAA), numerous trading and advising qualifications.
Damien and Renaye have three young girls, Tara, Zoe and Emily.
Anthony Smith
CFP®, SAA, B.Bus, JP
Financial Adviser
Anthony has 20 years’ experience in financial services and whilst analysis and research are at the heart of Anthony’s technical skills, it is having a deep understanding of his client’s goals and objectives which he is passionate about.
Anthony is a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner, has a Bachelor of Business degree (Applied Finance). He has completed the Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Specialist Advisor Program and the Stockbrokers Association Professional Diploma in Stockbroking. Anthony is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
When away from work, Anthony enjoys spending time with family and friends. He assists and supports a number of charity groups and competes in various fundraising events. He also invests time on his health and wellbeing, competing in long distance triathlon races, mountain biking with his children and running.
Anthony is authorised to provide advice on Self Managed Super Funds, Deposit and Payment Products, Debentures, Stocks or Bonds, Derivatives, Investment Life Insurance Products, Life Risk Insurance Products, MDA services, Managed Investments Schemes, Securities, Superannuation and Standard Margin Lending.
Anthony is a director and shareholder of Private Wealth Partners Advisory Pty Ltd and PWP Accounting which provides SMSF administration services for Self Managed Super Funds. Anthony is authorised to recommend this service to clients where it is deemed to be in their best interest and is remunerated by PWP Accounting for services provided. Anthony as your PWPG adviser receives 100% of all fees/commissions and pays Private Wealth Partners Group a monthly expense recovery.
Matthew Oake
BSc, GradDipAppFin, DipFinPlan, JP
Financial Adviser
Matthew joined Private Wealth Partners in October 2016, prior to this he was a Financial Adviser at DWL Financial Services for over 13 years. Matthew has also held various positions in a major Australian Stock Broking firm followed by an advisory role in another boutique financial planning practice. Prior to working in Financial Services Matthew was a Geologist for some of the world’s largest gold and base metal mining companies.
Matthew provides advice to a diverse range of clients which requires him to be technically competent across all financial planning strategies. With a passion for investing and an ability to ascertain each client’s individual needs, Matthew has the necessary skills to ensure his clients have every opportunity to achieve their financial goals.
He holds a Bachelor of Science, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment, Diploma of Financial Planning and has completed specialist studies with regard to Self-Managed Superannuation Funds.
Cameron Taylor
MFinPlan, GradDipFinPlan, BBA BA-Psych, JP
Financial Adviser
Cameron entered the advice industry as a client relationship manager in a boutique financial planning practice in 2006. This initial exposure gave him an appreciation of the many components required to provide comprehensive, holistic and professional financial advice. Cameron has an experiential appreciation of truly understanding clients and their objectives which is enhanced through his studies in Psychology. Being a Financial Adviser allows Cameron to channel his skills and qualifications into helping people now and into the future where the true satisfaction of providing good advice becomes evident.
Cameron has a Masters & Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, Bachelor of Business Administration with a Bachelor of Arts – Psychology, Diploma of Financial Planning, Diploma of Business and Commerce, is a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia. He has also completed specialist qualifications in Self-Managed Superannuation Funds, Gearing and Margin Lending.
Outside of work Cameron plays a variety of sports including golf, tennis and triathlon. He spends time fundraising and supporting charities, is a keen traveler and enjoys watching cricket and rugby.
Ray Albrighton
BCom, DFP, CFP, JP
Financial Adviser
Ray has comprehensive experience in the financial services industry. For over 20 years Ray has worked in multiple positions as diverse as advising complex private clients, SME advisory and business coaching and leading a national retail advice team.
Ray’s passion is engaging with private clients and business owners to provide extensive holistic and complex financials solutions. Ray continues to thrive on delivering bespoke outcomes for his clients and utilising his professional network to deliver remarkable results.
Ray is a member of the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) and Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).
Ray is authorised to provide advice on Self Managed Super Funds, Deposit and Payment Products, Debentures, Stocks or Bonds, Investment Life Insurance Products, Life Risk Insurance Products, Gearing, MDA services, Managed Investments Schemes, Securities, Superannuation and Standard Margin Lending.
Kieran Brown
BComm Econ & Fin, Adv. Dip FP
Financial Adviser
Kieran has worked in the Financial Advice industry for over a decade. Prior to joining Private Wealth Partners, he was an Advisor at a boutique practice and has experience working with a wide variety of clients at various stages in their financial planning journey. Kieran thrives on assisting clients understand the complexities of financial markets and wealth creation strategies with the end goal of building clients confidence and knowledge in their financial position.
Kieran has a Bachelor of Commerce - Economics and Finance, Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning and is a member of the Financial Advice Association Australia.
Kieran is authorised to provide advice on Deposit and Payment Products, Debentures, Stocks or Bonds, Investment Life Insurance Products, Life Risk Insurance Products, Managed Investments Schemes, MDA services, Superannuation, Securities and Self-Managed Super Funds.
Outside of work Kieran is a proud father of two children, a keen golfer and general sports fanatic.
Jasmine Theophile
CFP, B.Com, Grad.Dip FP, FAAA Aged Care Specialist, JP
Financial Adviser
Jasmine joined the Private Wealth Partners team in 2023 and joined the financial services industry in 2004. Jasmine has qualified as a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner since 2010 and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning and additional specialised qualifications in Self-Managed Superannuation Funds, Derivatives, Securities and Aged Care.
Jasmine is a member of the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) and is also accredited as an Aged Care Specialist (ACS) by the FAAA.
Attention to detail and a holistic approach to financial planning are at the heart of Jasmine’s personalised and tailored approach to each client that she advises.
Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys music, volunteering for charities and spending time with her family and friends.
Jasmine is authorised to provide advice on Self Managed Super Funds, Deposit and Payment Products, Debentures, Stocks or Bonds, Derivatives, Investment Life Insurance Products, Life Risk Insurance Products, MDA services, Managed Investments Schemes, Securities, Superannuation and Standard Margin Lending.
Ian Smith
BCom, MEc, MAppFin, CA, CFP
Financial Adviser
Ian has over 25 years of successful business experience in finance, stockbroking, funds management and banking. He has worked in capacities of Finance Director, Strategy Director and Head of Private Stockbroking for one of the world’s largest investment banks, Deutsche Bank.
Ian has experience in offering the full professional financial advisory services. This includes: Developing strategies to provide tax efficient income and capital growth for wealth creation, wealth retention, redundancy and retirement planning clients. Creating comprehensive strategic financial plans and investment structures for individuals, family trusts, private companies and self managed superannuation funds . Maximising tax saving opportunities and searching for low cost solutions. Maximising superannuation opportunities within complex government guidelines, including advising on and establishing self managed superannuation funds. Recommending appropriate investments to achieve clients’ objectives. Recommending risk management strategies and gearing opportunities. Partnering with tax and legal experts to manage complex estate planning, such as asset protection, minimising estate tax and wealth transfer issues. Facilitating premium stockbroking services.
Ian is a Chartered Accountant – Financial Planning Specialist and a Certified Financial Planner. He has attained the higher education degrees of Master of Applied Finance, Master of Economics, Bachelor of Commerce.
David Hunt
BBus (Acc), MTax (Syd), CA, CTA, SSA
Financial Adviser
David has extensive experience advising providing senior executives, private business owners and their families as Chartered Accountant and Financial Planner. David is advisor and confidante to some of the most senior executives in Australia.
David’s early interest in investments lead to commencing his career at Industrial Equity Limited (IEL) followed by Chase Manhattan Securities in London where he completed the London Stock Registered Representative exam.
David combined his love of investing and providing strategic solutions to private clients when he established his own firms, Hunt Strategic Advisors Pty Ltd and Hunt Strategic Capital Pty Ltd after being a partner in his family accounting and financial planning business from the year 2000.
David is a Chartered Accountant, a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Specialist Advisor and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Master of Taxation Law from Sydney University.
David’s significant experience and expertise are in the following areas:
Family business advising
Superannuation and retirement planning
Estate planning
Investments
Investment structuring
David is married with three children. His interests include all sport, particularly rugby, rugby league, golf and tennis.
Natalie Berrell
BCom, DIPFinPlan, DIP Fin & Mortgage Broking, JP
Financial Adviser
Natalie joined Private Wealth Partners in 2017 after working at Macquarie Bank for a number of years. She has over 10 years’ experience working in the banking Industry, bringing a diverse background of knowledge to financial services. Drawing on her experience across different relationship management roles, she understands the importance of solidifying trust, respect and approaching each clients’ situation in a non-judgemental way. Natalie is passionate about improving her clients’ financial literacy and believes this is key to achieving lasting financial stability.
Natalie has a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance and a minor in Commercial Law. She has a Diploma of Financial Planning, Cert IV in Finance & Mortgage Broking, is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia, the Tax Practitioners Board and is a Justice of the Peace.
Outside of work you will see Natalie walking her beautiful red and white border collie, running to work, playing netball and competing in anything that has endurance in the name. She has a passion for health and wellbeing.
Natalie is authorised to provide advice on Deposit and Payment Products, Debentures, Stocks or Bonds, Investment Life Insurance Products, Life Risk Insurance products, MDA services, Managed investments schemes, Securities and Superannuation.
Thomas Lyon
B.Comm (Acc & Fin.Plan), GDip.Psych
Financial Adviser
Thomas started his journey into Financial Services from the ground floor. After being accepted into a graduate program he has worked his way through roles such as Client Service Manager, Paraplanner, Associate Advisor and has now completed the formal accreditation required in becoming a Financial Advisor. Progressing clients to a position where their assets can support part of, or the entirety of, their lifestyle is a core driver for Thomas. When clients are in a position that they are confident their advisor is making the best decisions for them, they have the time to enjoy the things they value most in life, family, travel or their own personal ambitions.
Having completed a bachelor’s degree in commerce, majoring in both Financial Planning and Accounting, Thomas has also completed a post-graduate in Psychology. Combining his background in Finance and Psychology he aims to truly connect on a personal level with each and every one of his client’s and help them understand the way they think about their money.
If he is not in the office, you’ll find him Surfing at Manly, in the CrossFit gym or at any other outdoor activity that gets the heart beating. Thomas has visited 26 countries around the world (with Argentina being the favourite) and surfed in 7 of them.
Emma Hutchinson
M.Bus, DFP
Client Relationship Manager
Emma joined Private Wealth Partners in March 2019 after 3 years at a smaller boutique planning firm. She has over 15 years’ experience working within the Financial Services industry, mainly in Investment Management and Fund Administration.
Originally from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, Emma came to Sydney in 2014 to be closer to family.
Emma holds a Masters in International Business and a Diploma in Financial Planning.
Samantha O’Connor
Associate Adviser
Sam joined Private Wealth Partners in May 2014 after 18 years in the Early Childhood industry. Although a big career change, it was the challenge of a new career and the excitement of the financial planning industry that was greatly appealing.
Sam is part of PWP’s client management team and ensures that all client related tasks are completed promptly and efficiently.
Sam has travelled extensively throughout Europe, America & the Caribbean and spent 5 years living in London and Bermuda before returning home to Australia with her husband Luke to start a family. Originally from Melbourne Sam has been in Sydney for years and it is where she now calls home.
Outside of work Sam leads a busy life as a mother of three children, Sienna, Lincoln and Zali. Sam also loves all sport and plays netball.
Practice Leader
Lori Abbott
Lori joined Anthony’s team at Private Wealth Partners in March 2018. Lori has significant experience as a Client Relationship Manager and now leads as a Practice Leader in providing leadership and operational support for our client services team in delivering outstanding service for our clients.
Originally from Johannesburg in South Africa, Lori moved to Sydney with her husband and 2 boys in 2016. Before changing careers to work in the financial planning industry, Lori was a specialist hand therapist who ran her own private practice in South Africa, and worked in private hand therapy practices in Sydney.
Lori and her husband Neville are very involved in their sons’ sporting interests, and are generally found at cricket, rugby or soccer clubs.
Associate Adviser
Nicole Hibel
Nicole originally joined Private Wealth Partners in March 2020 as a Client Relationship Manager and has recently progressed into her Financial Advising career as a Professional Year practitioner.
Nicole has worked in the financial services industry for over 8 years, gaining experience in a range of areas including credit and lending, mortgage broking, stockbroking and superannuation. Wanting to combine her experience in various finance sectors, Nicole has progressed into the financial planning specialisation which has allowed her to take on a more holistic view of financial services.
Nicole’s experience in both client facing and operational roles has provided her with a deep understanding about the importance of communication with clients to not only understand their needs, but to also provide them with updates regarding their financial affairs. Seeing the life changing impacts financial advice has on individuals and their families provides Nicole with daily motivation to go above and beyond for all clients.
Nicole has completed a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Finance, and also the Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning.
Outside of work, Nicole enjoys hiking, spending time with her family and friends, travelling, cooking and reading. Nicole also has two mischievous furry friends in Mochi and Merlin.
Claudia Follmi
Client Relationship Manager
Claudia has worked in the Financial Services Industry for the past 26 years. Claudia started her journey as a junior data entry administrator at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and then quickly progressed to Executive Assistant to a partner in the Financials Services Division. Claudia also has experience working as a Funds Administrator when she worked for a superannuation fund for a couple of years. For the past 20 years Claudia has worked as an Executive Assistant, Funds Administrator and in Client Services for two senior Financial Planners in a small Financial Planning practise.
It is Claudia’s extensive experience and knowledge in the financial services industry that allows her to provide the highest level of support and service to clients. Interestingly, Claudia is also a qualified chef!
Yvette Brown
Client Relationship Manager
Yvette joined Private Wealth Partners in February 2020.
She has been working in the financial services industry since 1992. Yvette is passionate about helping our clients realise their personal financial goals while delivering exceptional support to the team and making a significant contribution to the organisation.
Yvette lives on the Lower North Shore where she was born and raised. She enjoys travel, dining out and attending musical theatre.
Jack O’Donnell
Client Relationship Manager
Jack joined Private Wealth Partners at the start of 2023. Having completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, majoring in both Financial Planning and International Economics, he aims to become a certified Financial Advisor in the near future. During his studies, Jack was able to build his knowledge base in a range of areas including accounting, trade finance, sales, insurance, and superannuation.
Outside of the office, Jack enjoys watching and playing sport. Mainly Rugby League and Soccer. During the winter months he is often snowboarding or skiing on the slopes in Australia, Japan or Canada. Jack has travelled to over 20 countries, with Running of the Bulls in Spain being his favourite experience.
Client Relationship Manager
Henry Cameron
Having initially joined Private Wealth Partners in July of 2020, Henry is in his final year of a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in both Finance and Business Law. With a keen interest in financial markets, he undertook courses in algorithmic portfolio management, derivatives and options trading and analytical investment metrics. More recently he took time away from PWP to spend time interning with Sydney based hedge fund, Regal Partners, but has since returned to complete the remainder of his degree.
During his time at university Henry spent time as a Portfolio Analyst at Australian Students Asset Management as well as making continued contributions to the university’s private client consulting programs, mentoring classes and UTS’ student lead managed fund that launched in 2023.
Henry believes there is value in simplifying what can often be complex life decisions for clients and uses this to provide wholistic insight into the advice and investment process.
Outside of the office Henry is an avid Swans supporter and splits his time between seeing friends and family, and training for various upcoming Ironman events.
Andrew Riad
Client Relationship Manager
Andrew has over two years of experience in the financial services industry, where he combines a fresh perspective with a commitment to excellence. He holds a Bachelor of Business with a double major in Finance and Marketing, along with a Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, giving him a solid foundation in both the theory and practice of finance.
His journey in finance is driven by a passion for helping clients navigate financial complexities. Andrew believes in the importance of financial literacy and works to empower his clients to make informed decisions. With his approachable demeanor and strong communication skills, he fosters lasting relationships built on trust and transparency.
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys weightlifting and running. When he’s not focusing on his health, he values spending quality time with family and friends.
Lauren O’Doherty
Client Relationship Manager
Lauren started with Private Wealth Partners in September 2021. Being relatively new to the industry, Lauren is keen to build her knowledge in Financial Advice as quickly as possible. She has recently enrolled in her Graduate Diploma of Financial Advice, starting her studies in February 2022. Lauren strives to take both a proactive and reliable approach when dealing with our clients. She is passionate about building strong relationships, built on trust.
Lauren has completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Finance, Business Analytics and Economics. After university, she was accepted into the Graduate Program of one of Australia’s Big 4 Banks. She accumulated over 3 years of experience in the banking industry before joining the team here at PWP. During this time, she was able to build her knowledge base in a range of areas, including credit and lending, trade finance, foreign exchange, and commercial lending.
Lauren’s passion outside of work include family, travel and enjoying delicious food. She sees herself as a bit of a cocktail connoisseur and believes she has mastered the ratios to make the perfect negroni.
The next destination she has set her sights on is Japan, to combine her love of exploring new cities and her favourite cuisine, Japanese food.
Client Relationship Manager
Julia Williamson
With a career spanning over five years in the finance industry, Julia is a Client Relationship Manager committed to elevating the client experience. Her journey with our team since July 2023 is marked by a dedication to excellence.
Julia recently earned her Diploma of Mortgage Broking and holds a Certificate IV in Accounting & Bookkeeping.
Beyond the financial world, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, relishing spicy margaritas, and has her sights set on attending a rodeo in America for her next adventure.