Senior Team

The team at Portunas have extensive experience in corporate advisory and investment in Australia and internationally.

Portunas’ advisors are multi-disciplinary, with Australian and international experience in strategic consulting, operational management and analysis, business building, investment banking and management accounting.

Peter Bartels – Chief Executive Officer

Peter has had a 20-year career as a corporate advisor and investor in New York, London and Australia.

He is a former member of KPMG Corporate Finance and founded and led KPMG’s Strategy Group for Mergers and Acquisitions. He has led teams advising on pre-deal strategy for both government and corporate entities. Most recently, Peter has advised the Victorian state government on the recent changes to Victorian lottery licenses, and a leading Private Equity player in their assessment of opportunities within the ASX 200.

Peter has strong experience in mining and resources and has assisted companies on strategic operating functions including exploration to ASX 100 companies.

Amongst other investments in the USA and Australia, Peter has built successful industrial businesses from start-up and advised on deals and organisational change to many organisations including Newscorp Ltd to and The World Bank.

Peter holds a B Eng. from Melbourne University.

John Clayton – Head of Advisory

John has worked in the corporate advisory industry for more than 15 years in Australia and London, and was formerly Head of Strategy, Transaction Advisory Services, KPMG Australia.

John has advised on a wide range of mergers, acquisitions, and divestments for companies and governments, and has led project teams in several large scale programs involving major business change. He has been involved in some of the most significant merger integration programs in the Australian market, including BHP Billiton’s acquisition of WMC Resources, Linfox’s hostile takeover of Mayne Logistics, and deal strategy and commercial advice for Qantas and IBM.

John holds both a B Eng and Master of Information Systems from Monash University
and a Master of Applied Finance and Investment from FINSIA.

Barry J Driscoll - Senior Advisor

Barry has over 35 years experience in all aspects of marketing, management and product development in the Investment Banking and Finance Industry, including several years as a self-employed corporate advisor. Prior to August 2008, he spent 13 years with The Bank of New York Mellon identifying business's who have potential to sell their products, technology and services on the international stage and then assist them to identify the appropriate vehicle to access the US Capital Markets.

Barry has an intricate network of contacts and key figures crucial in the process of raising funds in the cross boarder capital markets. Prior to his role at The Bank of New York he spent 5 years as Finance Director/Group General Manager of a private banking and financial services organisation. Previously he spent time with Citibank Ltd, Hambros Ltd, Euro Pacific Ltd and Scandinavian Pacific Ltd.

Barry holds a Diploma of Accounting and is a graduate of the Mt. Eliza Business School obtaining several professional memberships including The Finance and Treasury Association and Australian Institute Company Directors.

Jonathan Shakes - Director - Debt Advisory

Jonathan has in excess of 12 years experience in the finance industry. Prior to joining Portunas Jonathan was a director of Asset Syndications, a boutique debt advisory business. Previous roles include Chief  Executive Officer of SME Commercial Finance, a specialist asset finance business, Executive Director of Assetsecure Pty Ltd, a niche working capital solutions financier and Executive Director of GE Commercial, a specialist asset based financier, having started  with that business as a green field site in 1998. Prior to working in the finance industry Jonathan spent 10 years as a chartered accountant with Ernst and Young and Deloitte.

Jonathan’s experience spans a wide range of industries and finance products including structured debt solutions, working capital facilities and equipment finance to Australian and International companies.  

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Economics from Adelaide University, a Master of Business Administration and is a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Sanjeev Nair – Associate Director - Corporate Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions

Sanjeev has in excess of 5 years experience in the corporate advisory industry. He is a former Associate of Deutsche Bank (Mergers & Acquisition, Transaction Services).

As a mergers and acquisitions and investment advisory specialist Sanjeev has worked for several blue chip global companies across the mining and resources, healthcare, telecommunications, infrastructure and industrial markets industry sectors across Europe, USA ,Middle East and Australia.

Sanjeev has a Master of Business Administration (Honours), HHL, Germany and a Bachelor of Engineering, RMIT, Melbourne.