Prepare now to exit with confidence when you’re ready.

Dr Craig West is a strategic accountant who has over 20 years of experience advising business owners.

With a background as an accountant in practice and two master’s degrees, Craig formed a strong view that the majority of business owners (and often their advisers) were unprepared and unaware of the steps required to prepare for exit. He then designed and documented a unique 21-Step Business Succession and Exit Planning process to assist owners and their advisers in navigating this process.

Craig now acts as a strategic business and financial mentor for mid-market business owners. Craig has written four critically acclaimed books educating business owners on employee incentives, succession planning, asset protection, and exit strategies. Additionally, he has completed doctoral research on Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for succession.

Craig is a Member of the Forbes Business Council where he leverages his extensive experience to contribute valuable insights on helping business leaders navigate the complexities of growing and exiting their businesses.

In April 2024, the Exit Planning Institute admitted Craig to the International Exit Planning Circle of Excellence.

Kevin Gandiya is a seasoned finance executive with over 15 years of experience leading high-performing investment and finance teams across global markets. His expertise spans investment management, equity research, and the not-for-profit sector, where he has consistently delivered exceptional results.

Kevin combines robust financial acumen with strong leadership skills, and he is passionate about delivering high-quality outcomes for his clients. His strategic insights and innovative approaches have earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor to SMB owners, C-suite executives and high-net worth investors alike.

Kevin is a Chartered Accountant and is currently pursuing his MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Saurabh Phanse specialises in exit planning, value acceleration, and M&A deals. With over 20 years of experience in professional services, he has successfully built and sold multiple businesses, demonstrating his expertise in scaling and transitioning companies. Saurabh began his career in the education consulting sector, growing a business from one Sydney office to six offshore locations before a successful exit. He later founded a finance company, which was acquired by a major firm, further solidifying his business acumen. Saurabh holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and has completed advanced certifications in leadership, project management, and finance, including the AICD’s flagship course. His diverse experience and dedication make him a trusted advisor and leader in the business community.

Shweta is a dynamic professional with a robust background in financial services, operations management, and business development. With proven expertise in marketing, financial analysis, and stakeholder engagement, she leads teams to achieve organisational goals, implement effective strategies, and drive revenue growth.

Her experience includes building organisations, capturing market share, and fostering trust with partners. She excels in developing strategies based on market data, facilitating professional development, and ensuring positive customer experiences.

As a collaborative team player and values-oriented leader, Shweta focuses on communication, respect, and responsibility in the workplace, while building productive relationships with key stakeholders.

Mak has over 12 years’ experience managing Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Mak was previously working as Operations Manager for Employee Share Plans and Senior Client Service Manager for ESOP clients. He has managed ESOPs for ASX top 20 clients all the way through to small private firms. He was involved in the operation management of Australia’s largest employee share plan offering with over 100k employee participants. While he has managed some of the largest employee share plans in Australia, he also understands the needs of small to medium businesses. Mak is a keen data enthusiast and client service and applies this to his management of ESOPs.

Karnig is a Chartered Accountant with 40 years of experience in process improvement and innovation. He has founded and exited several companies and held senior positions at Deloitte, Solution 6, and CCH.

Currently, he is the Head of Sales at Succession Plus, where he leads sales strategies, drives revenue growth, and manages client relationships to achieve business objectives.