Our People
Dr. Ian Smart
Managing Director
Sandy Forbes
Director
Peter Fritz AO
Director
Across an expansive career, Ian combines the creative and the analytical to develop compelling reasons for action in the face of complex problems. Ian is capable of taking on new challenges, distilling the core issues, and formulating a path to a resolution. He has done this across all government agencies for more than $5 billion in government programs. He has also used these capabilities in developing businesses in biotechnology and Information Technology. Ian has commercialised ventures in partnership with universities and hospitals, and has been extensively involved in social development programs.
Sandy is an experienced consultant in public policy, education, health and community service. Sandy offers extensive evaluation experience in mental health services, family violence, homelessness, disability services and community development programs. Sandy has led stakeholder consultations at local, regional and state-wide levels on highly sensitive public policy issues including planning for trauma informed services, end of life care, abuse prevention in disability services and reproductive health. Sandy has extensive governance experience and is the Chair of Kids First Australia. Clients and colleagues value her ability to maintain focus and build consensus.
Peter is one of Australia’s leading business people as Group Managing Director of TCG – a diverse group of companies – and a major contributor to public policy through his chairmanship of Global Access Partners (GAP). Over the last five decades, TCG has produced many breakthrough discoveries in computer and communication technologies with many successful listings on both the Australian and New York Stock Exchanges. GAP initiates high-level discussions on the most pressing social, economic and structural issues and challenges across a broad range of Australian economic sectors. Through its pioneering ‘Second Track’ program of initiatives, GAP seeks to fast-track solutions to key issues by fostering links between community, government and academia and guiding robust debate.
Peter Fritz also chairs a number of influential government and private enterprise boards and is active in the international arena, including having represented Australia on the OECD Small and Medium Size Enterprise Committee. He is the holder of seven degrees and professional qualifications, is a recipient of the Order of Australia (AM, AO), and has received many other honours.
Robert Crompton
Consultant
Alexander Benze von Fritz
Consultant
Jeremy Smart
Consultant
Robert had an initial background in strategy and economic impact consulting with a major Australian consulting firm with operations in Asia, as well as senior investment advisory roles in both a major bank and an international venture capital firm.
Subsequently, Robert was a strategic planning and new business development manager and a director for several Australian-based multinational corporations with operations throughout Europe, South East Asia and North America. He was also involved in the successful establishment of Optus, a second telecommunications carrier in Australia, and was a founding board director.
Robert’s government experience includes the Executive Director role in a major government agency in digital transformation and the establishment of an incubator for high-technology start-ups. This incubator received $13 million in Australian government funding, and a further $80 million in private co-investment. THis has produced several successful exits and stock market listings.
Alexander is a lawyer with a diverse career in legal services, entrepreneurial business development, consulting, and social programs. Alexander has worked in management consulting and legal firms, venture capital, audit and tax law, technology industry capital raisings and M&A transactions. Alexander is active in privacy and cybersecurity consulting, assisting a range of public and private sector clients to meet and exceed their compliance requirements. In addition to his business activities, Alexander has also been involved in human rights through a role at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, and promoting early childhood education as a board member of the Fritz Family Foundation.
Over the last decade, Jeremy has been engaged in helping government agencies to make the best decisions. Jeremy is a highly skilled facilitator and has guided the process of making the best decisions in more than 2,000 projects. Jeremy’s work is centred around the Investment Logic Map (ILM), a decision-support system Jeremy developed whilst he was an employee of the Department of Treasury and FInance. This tool has now become the core of the investment-making process within the Victorian, Queensland, Western Australian and New Zealand governments. The core skill required in these facilitation activities is to listen, question preconceptions respectfully but firmly and to drill down into the core problems that need to be addressed.
Jeremy has a background in economics and politics, and has previously worked with the Australian Communications Authority and the Australian Taxation Office.
Dr. Grace Lai
Consultant
Grace is a qualified medical doctor, business operational strategist and an entrepreneur. Gracecombines commercial experience as an ex-CEO, IT sales operations and marketing executive with caring professional experience as a clinician. Grace has helped companies secure important financial and strategic resources through preparation for funding, efficiency and operational excellence. Grace‘s drive is her interest in improving the health system and quality patient outcomes.