board of directors

Emmanuel Cassimatis & Julie Cassimatis

Emmanuel and Julie Cassimatis form one of Australia's most successful partnerships. What has been created and built under their stewardship is one of Australia's leading financial services firms. Emmanuel and Julie are Storm's joint CEO's and they are both Directors of the company. Both Emmanuel and Julie's academic qualifications include a Master of Applied Finance degree and Julie is currently studying Commercial Law at the Master level.

They have a long and successful history in the industry with over 50 years service between them – a history rich in both outstanding quality of advice and service to clients and quantity of business written.

For a proven track record one need only look at Storm Financial for a clear indication of their influence, experience and success.

For more details about their backgrounds and the evolution of the company, see ‘The Storm Story’ multimedia presentation.

Tom Meakin

Tom Meakin provides a specialised focus as a Client Advocate on the Board of Directors at Storm Financial. Prior to his appointment to the Board, Tom fulfilled his role as Executive Director of ASX listed company Sedgman Limited, a leading provider of engineering services to the Australian coal industry. Included in his responsibilities as Principal Consultant, Tom assisted in the development, training and mentoring of new technical staff; the review and guidance of project feasibility work; the tendering of major project work; and the expansion of the relationships that the company has with its intensely diversified clientele. With such a vast history in the development of personnel and clientele, Tom has much to contribute in his role as Storm's Client Advocate.

Tom's history with Sedgman Limited began in 1980, when he joined John Sedgman and established the initial multi-discipline engineering team to support the firm's growing capability. From the late 1980's in his role as Chief Engineer, he directed a team that undertook a major feasibility study followed by project work in both the coal and metalliferous industries.

Following the death of John Sedgman in 1991, Tom stepped into the role of Director and shareholder, with its vast range of responsibilities including the management of materials handling, structural engineering and civil engineering along with corresponding project management functions. As Sedgman Limited flourished, the creation of management roles emerged in order to support a much larger, more diversified team. Throughout this time Tom continued to provide technical leadership, support and direction in these areas.

Tom brings his extensive experience and accomplishments into his Director role at Storm.

Peter Hutley

Peter Hutley is contributing to Storm's future growth and expansion via his expertise and extensive knowledge in the areas of regulation and compliance, risk management and corporate governance. Peter holds a myriad of qualifications including a Bachelor and Honours Degree in Political Science (Melbourne University), a Post Graduate Diploma (The Securities Institute of Australia) and a Diploma of Financial Planning (Tribeca Learning). Peter's last professional appointment was as a Director of KPMG's Risk Advisory Services practice, with the key focus on regulation and compliance. Peter currently manages his own compliance consultancy, Rovingstone Advisory Pty Ltd.

Sydney based Peter’s role on the Storm Board calls on his vast experience and human capital, enabling him to successfully deliver the highest quality advice.

Prior rankings include Head of Marketing and Client Service at Colonial First State Investment Managers; Executive Director and Executive Officer for The Investment Funds Association of Australia; Secondment with The National Companies and Securities Commission; and Diplomatic Service for the Department of Foreign Affairs (Canberra) including appointments in Seoul, Baghdad and Singapore.

Peter has achieved various prominent accomplishments, including a key involvement in ensuring over 60 companies preserve their operating licenses under the Financial Services Reform Act (FSRA); providing expert assistance to Retireinvest (part of ING group) as an ASIC-approved external compliance consultant and also assisting the company in successfully dealing with regulatory intervention; and completing co-authorship of Standard Reference Work on FSRA (now in its third edition).

Throughout Peter's hectic professional career he has successfully maintained a balance of work and family life, enjoying the company of his wife and three teenage children.

Stuart Nelson

Stuart Nelson has 20 years experience in financial services, executive management, corporate finance, and corporate and private legal practice.

Stuart's primary focus on the Storm Board is assisting with Storm’s rapid expansion. His previous roles include Head of Strategy and Planning at HSBC Bank Australia; implementing the Associated Planners acquisition and the corporatisation process at the Challenger Group; project managing the demutualisation and listing of NRMA Insurance; and leading that company’s corporate development group in Australia and offshore. Stuart's extensive CV reveals a depth of skills and experience invaluable to Storm during what is proving to be a sustained period of significant growth. Stuart draws on his many qualifications to assist in successful strategic corporatisation of Storm, including a Bachelor Degree in Economics (Sydney University); Bachelor Degree and Master of Laws (Sydney University); and a Post Graduate Diploma with the Securities Institute of Australia.

Stuart is currently the Executive Manager, Corporate, for the new specialist funds management group, Magellan Financial Group. Before joining Magellan, Stuart held senior executive roles with organisations, including HSBC Australasia, Challenger Financial Services Group, Insurance Australia Group and its predecessor NRMA Group, Allianz Australia, Australian National Industries and the Packer family’s Consolidated Press Holdings. During his career, Stuart has had executive responsibility across a variety of corporate and business functions, including strategy and planning, mergers and acquisitions, international business development, corporate affairs and investor relations, corporate services, risk management and compliance, general counsel and company secretary. While at NRMA Group, Stuart had overall responsibility at executive level for the development and implementation of the proposal to demutualise and list NRMA Insurance.

Stuart has a Bachelor Degree in Economics (Sydney University); a Bachelor Degree and Master of Laws (Sydney University); and a Post Graduate Diploma with the Securities Institute of Australia.

Throughout his busy career, Stuart has also maintained a commitment to his role as husband and father, with his wife and two young children a major factor in his every decision.

Geoff Williams

Geoff is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in the fund management sector. This experience includes having been a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers for 24 years, specialising in audit and business advisory services - in particular for the investment funds management industry over which he had national responsibility. Currently Geoff is a Director of Argonaut Resources NL including its Audit Committee (since 1999) and is a member of the Compliance Committee for Questor Financial Services Ltd (part of the Australian Wealth Management Ltd. Group).

Geoff’s considerable experience coupled with his qualifications (B.Com FCA) make him a great addition to the Storm Board of Directors, leaving him in a great position to help drive the company forward.