Areas of Expertise:
- Startups, spin-outs, venture capital, private equity, incubators, accelerators, ecosystems
- Growth strategy, new business models, partners, funders.
Evidence of Expertise:
ICG client projects and activities:
- Strategy and business plan for a startup challenger bank that went on to raise large amounts of capital, obtain its full banking license, and list on the ASX in 2021 as Judo Capital Holdings
- Design, business plan, and team coaching, to set up an incubator/accelerator within a large payments systems player
- Accident repairs supply chain and joint venture review for a vertically integrated general insurer
- Business case for a new underwriting system for the insurance division of a retail bank
- Applying VC practices for deal-flow origination and screening, and portfolio management, in the corporate context (e.g. for corporate venturing, incubators, accelerators, M&A)
- Subject Matter Expert for ICG’s Insight Review, critically reviewing publications in the Innovation & Disruption, and Fintech categories (previously also Private Equity and M&A)
- Promoting the benefits of ICG’s model to private equity firms, for pre-investment and post-investment projects
- Participant in professional development and credentials courses (Strategy Execution, Blue Ocean Strategy) run by other ICG Accredited Professionals
Experience before and outside ICG:
- R&D Engineer: An early employee for a company spun out from his university that went on to IPO and grow to over 120 staff.
- Consultant:
- KPMG Management Consulting (2 years) in London
- Allen & Hamilton strategy practice (6 years) in Sydney
- Venture Capital & Private Equity
- “Deal Scout” for Electra Innvotec VC fund in London, including the British Gas corporate venturing fund in 1991
- Investment Director Amwin Innovation Fund, a $45M VC fund within Australian Mezzanine (CHAMP) in Sydney 1999 – 2001
- 17 years as a self-employed licensed adviser to Australian companies with proprietary technologies and global potential, on strategy and funding to scale-up to the next level, ranging from Series-A VC, to private equity growth capital and M&A.
Credentials:
- Bachelor of Engineering with 1st Class Honours, University of Western Australia 1986
- MBA, London Business School 1993
- AFSL 298916 held continuously since 2005
Community:
In addition to his professional work, Richard is heavily involved in the start-up ecosystem in a pro-bono capacity as co-founder and committee member of Sydney Angels, an angel group established in 2008. Its 120 members invest through a team-based process in innovative early-stage companies with high growth potential (83 to date, $33M directly invested, attracting a further $400M).
Contact Email:
lanretni