Our People

Director

Alexandra Abeyratne

Alex has more than eight years’ experience in corporate communications and investor relations in both the London and Australian markets. Alex works with listed and private companies on investor communications strategies, including through transactions, capital raisings, and reputational crises.

Prior to joining Citadel -MAGNUS, Alex was a Senior Consultant at FTI Consulting in London, working with financial services clients in asset and wealth management. In London, Alex was also previously at Moorgate Communications, specialising in transaction banking and trade finance.

Senior Managing Director

Peter Brookes

Peter is a Senior Managing Director, based out of the Sydney office. He leads the transaction practice across IPOs and M&A and has 20 years’ experience as an adviser to ASX listed companies across financial corporate communication.

Peter has led complex transaction projects, including cross-border deals, and has advised on numerous high profile public listings and trade sale processes. He also worked as a communication adviser in the UK, and prior to that was a OTC derivatives dealer for TulletPrebon.

Senior Managing Director

Brett Clegg

Brett specialises in strategic communication, issues management, business innovation and capital markets transactions. He was the founder of Kadia Partners, which merged with Citadel-MAGNUS in 2020, and his career has spanned professional services, investment banking, publishing and the technology sectors. Brett spent more than two decades in senior executive and editorial roles in the media industry, responsible for some of Australia’s leading news brands including The Australian Financial Review, where he rose from cadet journalist to the position of CEO and Publisher, as well as The Australian and The Daily Telegraph.

He is Chair of Sydney Dance Co, a former board director of hipages group and Council Member of the University of Technology Sydney.

Director

Ashleigh D’Alessandro

Ashleigh has more than nine years’ experience in corporate communication, public relations and stakeholder management. She is experienced in developing crisis communication plans, implementing community development initiatives and brand and reputation management. Ashleigh is skilled in content creation, having completed the Content Marketing Certificate from the Association for Data-driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA), and has a passion for writing.

Ashleigh previously worked in the public sector as an advisor for a member of WA State Parliament and prior to joining Citadel-MAGNUS was the PR and Communication Coordinator at Australia’s largest private residential land developer.

Ashleigh holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communications Studies) from the University of Western Australia.

Advisor

Martin Debelle

Martin was a founding Partner of Citadel-MAGNUS.

He specialises in corporate issues management, transactions, government and regulatory affairs with more than 25 years’ corporate communication experience across resources, energy, manufacturing, retail and real estate, with listed and unlisted companies.

Previously he worked as media director to NSW Premier and government, a news reporter and foreign correspondent for 15 years.

Manager

Jackson Eldridge

Jackson is based in Citadel-MAGNUS’s Sydney office where he provides corporate and financial communications support to a diverse range of clients.​

​Jackson joined Citadel-MAGNUS from a Senior Adviser role at leading commercial law firm, Clayton Utz where he was responsible for managing some of the firm’s key client accounts. He has well-honed communication skills and his expertise lies in tailoring communication solutions to meet the specific needs of each client. ​

​Jackson has experience in conducting in-depth research to understand clients’ target audiences, competitors, and industry landscape, allowing Citadel-MAGNUS to develop bespoke communication plans that resonate with their client’s stakeholders.

​Jackson earned a Bachelor of Media (Communication and Journalism) / International Business, University of New South Wales. 

Office Manager

Monika Fairclough

Monika has over 15 years’ experience in corporate administration and is currently Citadel-MAGNUS’ Perth Office Manager.

She has developed valuable skills in customer service, stakeholder management and accounting having worked for some of the world’s largest engineering and oil and gas companies, and now in corporate finance.

Monika supports Citadel-MAGNUS with a broad range of activities, bringing a professional and friendly approach to managing the Perth office.

Office Manager

Stacey Finley

Stacey is an accomplished Executive Assistant with several years’ experience providing high-level C-suite support in various industries including Media, Real Estate and Entertainment based in both Sydney and London.

She supports the five Sydney based Partners and is the Office Manager. Stacey is tasked with overseeing the smooth day-to-day operations and fundamental administrative requirements of Citadel-MAGNUS. Her ability to think outside the square for solutions, coupled with her meticulous organisational and time management skills, Stacey ensures the Citadel-MAGNUS team are always prepare and focused on exceeding client expectations.

Stacey also holds a current real estate licence issued under the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002.

Senior Director

Cameron Gilenko

Cameron joined Citadel-MAGNUS with eight years’ experience in equity capital markets both in Australia and London, drawing on this expertise to work closely with small-to-mid cap companies as part of the investor relations team.

Prior to Citadel-MAGNUS, Cameron worked as an Analyst for Barclays Capital in London, having spent significant time with a major Australian financial advisory firm.

He brings in-depth knowledge of the financial markets, corporate transactions, investment strategies and facilitating secondary market trade execution. Cameron has an interest in all market sectors with a particular passion for the resources industry.

Cameron holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Management) from Curtin University and is RG 146 qualified.

Senior Director

Jack Gordon

Jack has 7 years’ corporate communications and federal government experience. Jack has advised listed and private companies across Australia through M+A, reputational crises, capital raisings and profile raising activity. Jack Joined Citadel-MAGNUS from one of Australia’s leading corporate communication and government relations firms. Prior to working in communications Jack was on the staff of a senior federal senator.

Jack holds a Masters degree in strategic communications from the University of Sydney and an undergraduate degree in communications from UNSW.

Managing Director

Matthew Gregorowski

Matthew leads the Sydney investor relations practice. He has more than 17 years’ agency and in-house corporate communications experience in Australia, the UK and South Africa, running holistic investor relations programs for public companies spanning a range of sectors.

He has also advised on several corporate transactions including IPOs, capital raisings and M&A.

Before emigrating to Australia, Matthew was Head of Media Relations for FTSE 100 financial services company Old Mutual plc and a Partner of international corporate communications firm Instinctif.

Director

Emma Handreck

Emma has a strong understanding of the Australian broadcast media landscape, with 7 years experience in the news industry. She has worked in radio and television, holding Senior roles at both Network Seven and Ten, including as Executive News Producer of Sunrise.

Prior to joining Citadel-MAGNUS, she was a Senior Media Officer with the NSW Government, where she advised on reputation management and developed crisis communication strategies.

Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) from Curtin University.

Managing Director

Helen McCombie

Helen is a Managing Director and has extensive expertise in corporate communication and issues and crisis management across numerous sectors.

Helen has a strong understanding of the Australian media landscape having previously worked in journalism for 25 years including roles as Business Editor of Sky News and with Channel 9’s Business Sunday Program.

She also provides presentation and media training to senior executives and company Boards.

Associate

Sara Naghizadeh

Sara supports the delivery and production of communication collateral for investor relations and corporate reputation enterprises at Citadel-MAGNUS.

With a keen interest in fostering relationships with clients, Sara assists with organizing roadshows, financial calender events and media monitoring for the team.

Sara is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in International Business) and a Bachelor of Communications (majoring in International Media) at Macquarie University.

Director

Lisa Newns-Smith

Lisa Newns-Smith joined Citadel-MAGNUS from MFS Investment Management where she was responsible for company and industry analysis on a team and individual basis. Prior to her Investment Research work at MFS, she headed up the MFS APAC Client Service Team, responsible for all clients and team members in the region. Lisa trained as a Chartered Accountant with Grant Thornton (Ireland) and also has experience working with Royal Bank of Scotland in London and BNP Paribas Asset Management in Sydney.

Director

Genevieve Norton

With over 15 years of experience in professional services firms, Genevieve is a skilled Design Director specialising in creating visually stunning and impactful design solutions for stakeholders in the corporate world. With a strong focus on corporate design, presentation design, and report design, Genevieve has a proven track record of delivering effective visual communication strategies that engage and inform audiences in both internal and external settings.

Genevieve holds a Bachelor of Design and Technology (Industrial Graphics) from Western Sydney University.

Associate

Jacky Pfenninger

Jacky joined Citadel-MAGNUS from KPMG where she was an ESG Due Diligence Analyst. She brings an in-depth knowledge of sustainable finance and ESG from five years working in asset management in her native Geneva, Switzerland, where she was a Product Specialist in the Multi-Asset team at Lombard Odier Investment Management.

Jacky holds a Bachelor in Finance and Marketing from the University of Mount Union in Ohio, and a Master in Wealth Management from the University of Geneva. She also holds the CFA Certificate in ESG Investing.

Senior Director

Russell Quinn

Russell has almost 20 years’ media and communication experience in Australia, providing advice to listed and unlisted entities across the public and private sectors after a successful career as a senior business journalist and editor.

He has extensive expertise in corporate communication, public relations, community engagement, government relations and reputation management, having worked across various industries in challenging regulatory and stakeholder environments including banking and finance, insurance, health and gambling.

Russell holds a Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication) from Curtin University and is pursuing a MBA with the University of Western Australia. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the Perth Fashion Festival.

Senior Director

Peter Rekers

With over 30 years’ experience, Peter Rekers is professionally recognised as being one of the most experienced and polished crisis management specialists in Australia. His experience stretches from developing crisis management communications plans, systems and risk management systems for companies, to operational experience in war zones as a senior communications officer, to coordinating the communication strategy for Tropical Cyclone Larry for the Queensland Government.

He has held senior management roles at Brisbane City Council and State and Federal Departments and was appointed as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he lectured in crisis and issues management from 2008 – 2011.

Peter was a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve and completed two operational postings in 2003 to Iraq as a Public Affairs officer including being deployed to Baghdad to as the Coalition Media Director at the Coalition Press Information Center, coordinating all media relations, media conferences and services for the Coalition in Iraq. This included media management during the 2003 UN Headquarters bombing.

Manager

Stephanie Richardson

Stephanie supports the Citadel-MAGNUS team with media and investor relations, and corporate communication. She has prior experience in the Finance and Construction industries

Most recently Stephanie worked as an in-house Marketing and Communications professional in the Construction industry which encompassed the execution of strategic marketing campaigns, digital marketing, social media, stakeholder relations, event management and public relations.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Public Relations and Marketing) from Curtin University and Digital Marketing Certificate from the Association for Data-driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA).

Senior Director

Paul Ryan

Paul has extensive experience in communication, stakeholder engagement, and issues and crisis management, forged over a 25-year career in media and corporate affairs with major Australian organisations in the agriculture and energy sectors.

He has a strong track record of managing corporate reputation in challenging regulatory and stakeholder environments, providing strategic communication counsel across metropolitan and regional Australia, devising stakeholder engagement programs and effectively managing corporate and operational issues incorporating government relations.

Paul has worked for Seven West Media, major Australian agribusinessess and has held senior corporate affairs leadership positions in Woodside and Shell where he worked on major projects including the North West Shelf, the Browse Joint Venture, Shell’s Prelude Floating LNG Project and the integration of Shell Australia and QGC post the Shell-BG merger in 2016.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) from Edith Cowan University.

Analyst

Cooper Staines

Cooper supports the delivery of communication collateral and provides industry analysis to the Investor Relations team at Citadel-MAGNUS in Perth.

Prior to Citadel-MAGNUS, Cooper worked at Macquarie as a consultant in their Wealth Management team. He has a strong enthusiasm for all market sectors with a specific interest for the resources sector.

Cooper holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) from Curtin University

Senior Director

Matt Stevens

As one of Australia’s most experienced and respected business commentators, Matthew earned a market-leading reputation over a four-decade career in journalism. Matt worked as a business reporter, editor and columnist for major mastheads including The Age, Business Review Weekly, The Business Australian and The Australian. Progressive roles at The Australian included appointments as Victorian Business Editor, Victorian Editor, Europe Correspondent, National Chief of Staff and Editor of the newspaper’s flagship weekend edition. Matt returned to writing as a business columnist with The Australian in 2001 and, most recently, he was a leading columnist at The Australian Financial Review.

After leaving journalism in 2020, Matt established a private advisory business with clients including BHP. Matt is a recognised thought leader in the minerals, metals and mining industries with a deep knowledge of bulk minerals and energy commodities markets and their geopolitical interplay. He arrives at Citadel-Magnus with decades of high-level experience in infrastructure, retail, banking and business policy. He joins Citadel Magnus to offer tactical and strategic counsel to a range of clients as a Senior Adviser.

Senior Director

Catherine Strong

Catherine has more than 20 years of corporate communication and investor relations experience in both the London, Australian and US markets. With strong experience in growth companies across multiple sectors, including healthcare and technology, she has advised listed and private companies on investor relation and media strategies, supporting them with financial calendar activity, IPOs, capital raisings and M&A.

She also held in-house roles at global not-for-profit, JDRF and the UK’s peak biotech trade body, the BioIndustry Association. Prior to returning to Australia, she supported London Stock Exchange and AIM listed clients at London-based financial communication agency Buchanan.

Catherine graduated from the Australian National University with Bachelor degrees in Science and Arts.

Managing Director

James Strong

James is a corporate and financial communications specialist with 23 years’ experience providing strategic advice to clients.

James leads Citadel MAGNUS’ transaction and financial services practice and provides advice at board and executive level on transactions, IPOs, reputation and issues management, and has led the communications on complex domestic and cross border transactions.

Senior Director

Ryan Thompson

Ryan has worked for more than nine years in investor relations and financial communications both in Australia and London.

Prior to joining Citadel-MAGNUS, Ryan was based in London, leading investor relations for a FTSE-listed international specialty insurance company. Previously Ryan spent time working at a boutique financial communications consultancy in his native Sydney.

Ryan brings extensive capital markets experience, having developed and executed successful investor relations and strategic communications programmes for IPOs, M&A, and capital raising transactions. He has provided strategic counsel to senior executives and boards on complex and sensitive corporate matters, including litigation, crisis and issues management, media relations and public affairs.

Managing Director

Michael Weir

Michael has more than 25 years’ experience in investor relations and corporate financial communication.

A former senior finance journalist, Michael has also held in-house executive roles within the mining and mining services sector.

He has deep experience in corporate affairs, stakeholder engagement and capital markets. He has led complex communication around project development, capital raisings, corporate transactions and corporate strategy rollout.

Manager

Saskia West

Saskia leads the implementation of daily investor and media relations programs and supports on strategy. This includes managing investor relationships, organising roadshows and other financial calendar events, and assisting ASX listed companies with M&A, ESG and crisis communications. Saskia joined Citadel-MAGNUS in 2021.

Prior to Citadel-MAGNUS she spent several years as a customer success partner for a technology start-up where she fostered strong client and stakeholder relationships. Saskia graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Media in PR and Advertising.