A Dedicated Team of Professionals

Board & Management

Board of Directors

 Christopher Bregenhoj

Christopher Bregenhoj

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, FAICD, FFIN

Chairman

Christopher is an Australian Chartered Accountant, bringing strong accounting, tax and corporate finance practices with over 45 years business experience in Public Accountancy, Investment Banking and the Private...

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Christopher Bregenhoj

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, FAICD, FFIN

Chairman

Christopher is an Australian Chartered Accountant, bringing strong accounting, tax and corporate finance practices with over 45 years business experience in Public Accountancy, Investment Banking and the Private Equity space, both in Australia and Hong Kong (1976 to 1989). Christopher was a Co-founder and Executive Director responsible for corporate finance, acquisitions, in-house legal and HR from 2002 to 2015, of what is now ASX listed oOh!media Limited [OML], which is now one of Australia’s largest out-of-home billboard media companies. In 2012, Christopher entered into a joint venture to acquire and redevelop the property “Astonia” on Cliff Street overlooking Lavender Bay, North Sydney. Astonia’s six house size apartments sold for $44.6 million in 2016, setting a lower North Shore record. He is currently part of a consortium developing a 24 storey 220 residential apartment complex on First Avenue, Blacktown.

Christopher has been Chairman of Vertua Limited since September 2014 and sits on various Boards in the investment banking, freight forwarding, IT and property development space and brings invaluable experience and leadership to the Vertua team.

 James Manning

James Manning

B. BUS (ACCOUNTING), M. BUS (FINANCE), FAICD

Director

James’ background in property development and professional services has given him a unique insight into both practical deliverables as well as complex regulatory and cross board transactions. James...

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James Manning

B. BUS (ACCOUNTING), M. BUS (FINANCE), FAICD

Director

James’ background in property development and professional services has given him a unique insight into both practical deliverables as well as complex regulatory and cross board transactions. James has a Master’s in Business Finance with a Bachelor of Accounting and has operated a Family Office for over 10 years. James’ earlier career exposed him to having owned and operated numerous successful Hotels in the greater Sydney region and brings unique experience in both the property and hospitality space. As the current Managing Director of Vertua Limited, James has successfully invested and managed a number of developments across Australia and New Zealand.

James is also the founder and the CEO of Mawson Infrastructure (former Cosmos Capital) (Inc), a global leading–edge distributed asset infrastructure company, established to leverage an opportunity which currently exists in the marketplace.

Darron Wolter

Director

Darron began his career in the hospitality industry by managing Hotels in Sydney back in 1987. Darron’s management strategy led him to successful ownership of a Hotel and...

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Darron Wolter

Director

Darron began his career in the hospitality industry by managing Hotels in Sydney back in 1987. Darron’s management strategy led him to successful ownership of a Hotel and 34 room motel in Far North Queensland, in addition to Asset Managing various resorts and Management Rights Businesses. Having extensive experience in analysing business insights, Darron has developed and effectively implementing strategies to streamline and consolidate operations into an enterprise solution. Through leadership Darron has been able to inspire the behaviour and ethos of the Vertua management team to adopt these best practices which has grown the Vertua Opportunity Fund over the last 5 years.

Executive Team

 Olga Shtifelman

Olga Shtifelman

MBA, BBIS, MAICD

Chief Operating Officer

Olga is the Chief Operating Officer in Vertua Group. Olga has had over 7 years’ experience in the banking & finance and property sectors,...

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Olga Shtifelman

MBA, BBIS, MAICD

Chief Operating Officer

Olga is the Chief Operating Officer in Vertua Group. Olga has had over 7 years’ experience in the banking & finance and property sectors, with strong people management and organizational skills. Olga has a Bachelor of Management and Business Information Systems and has completed her MBA program with a finance specialisation at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Olga is responsible for formulation and execution of the business strategy in collaboration with other senior management, overseeing company’s administrative and operational functions including designing policies, regulatory compliance and implementing technology solutions, ensuring operational excellence company-wide.

 Kathleen Howell

Kathleen Howell

B.Business, B.Sc (Psychology)

Company Secretary/Head of People and Culture

Kathleen brings a strong people and management background with more than 10 years of management experience across a number of industries including hospitality, health...

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Kathleen Howell

B.Business, B.Sc (Psychology)

Company Secretary/Head of People and Culture

Kathleen brings a strong people and management background with more than 10 years of management experience across a number of industries including hospitality, health and professional services. Kathleen is also our Head of People and Culture and has completed her AICD Company Secretary Course.

 Michael Bregenhoj

Michael Bregenhoj

B. COM (ACCOUNTING), CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Group Financial Controller

Michael is Vertua’s Group Financial Controller, managing the group’s financial operations and reporting. Michael has over 15 years’ experience working across a wide range...

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Michael Bregenhoj

B. COM (ACCOUNTING), CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Group Financial Controller

Michael is Vertua’s Group Financial Controller, managing the group’s financial operations and reporting. Michael has over 15 years’ experience working across a wide range of industries including Public Practice Accounting, Corporate Advisory/Private, FMCG and General Business.

 Utkarsh Saxena

Utkarsh Saxena

BBA (finance & marketing), Master of Accounting, CA

First Equity Partner

Utkarsh is a partner at first Equity. With over 12 years of experience in providing advisory & tax services to wide range of industries....

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Utkarsh Saxena

BBA (finance & marketing), Master of Accounting, CA

First Equity Partner

Utkarsh is a partner at first Equity. With over 12 years of experience in providing advisory & tax services to wide range of industries. As a trusted advisor I work closely with my clients to understand their goals and provide tailored strategic advice to ensure their success. I primarily focus on providing leadership and management support to clients as well as utilising the business advisory and tax skills. By partnering with clients I get to share their journey and make valuable impact in their growth and success.
In addition I have extensive experience in working with wealthy families and assist in the family office function. I am passionate about technology and enjoy using my knowledge in delivering value add services.