Elizabeth Bergin

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Elizabeth Bergin

Elizabeth Bergin

Principal North America

Elizabeth Bergin is based in Washington DC, and is responsible for the USA operations of AFG Venture Group, specialising in mid-size cross-border mergers and acquisitions in the clean energy, agriculture, technology, financial services and medical sectors.

Ms. Bergin’s recent transactions include the acquisition of an Australian machine-to-machine telecommunication company by a Canadian publicly-listed entity.

Positive relationships with both clients and counter-parties are a priority to Elizabeth, who also has relationships with several high net worth family offices around the world. Technology- based businesses that possess unique intellectual property and emerging technologies – including in Australia’s emerging space sector, are particular areas of interest.

Prior to joining AFG Venture Group, Elizabeth was a lawyer in the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and has worked for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, as well as Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department. As an officer working on Australia’s aid program for Indonesia, Elizabeth had responsibility for government-to-government co-operation on human rights and education projects, involving both international legal and political advice and budget responsibility for multi-million dollar expenditures.

In the private sector, Elizabeth has helped a number of Australian businesses to develop their market share, and to navigate export markets, in particular into the Asian region.

Elizabeth has degrees in Law and Arts from the University of New South Wales.

Peter Church’s professional experience in Asia commenced in 1978 when he was the first Australian to practice law in Indonesia. Since then, he has continued to live and/or work throughout South East Asia and India as a lawyer and corporate adviser and has represented many of Australia and the world’s largest corporations in their activities in those markets.

Lindley Edwards has spent most of her professional career undertaking cross border transactions (debt, equity and M&A) with Asian based companies and individuals. For many years Lindley was a director of Asialink, which organisation also focuses on strengthening Australian and Asian ties and networks. Through these experiences Lindley has developed long term relationships throughout China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Singapore.

Michael Fay, who heads our Education and Skills Training division, has over 30 years of experience of the education and training sector in Australia and South East Asia. He was the co-founder and managing director of Insearch Education at the University of Technology Sydney UTS. Michael has a particular focus on Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam and has provided strategic advice to a wide cross section of Australian education stakeholders from schools, English language, skills training, higher education and EdTech. Michael has convened the ASEAN Australia Education Dialogue since 2018 which is a highly regarded regional platform linking Australia and ASEAN www.aseanaustraliadialogue.com

Garry Hersey has had many years’ experience working in senior executive roles with both listed and private companies in relation to their Australian and Asian businesses. He has a particular focus on Vietnam and other countries within ASEAN. He has significant experience working with companies facing strategic and financial challenges, undergoing significant external corporate developments or requiring debt and equity funding.

Sherman Mak is a multi-disciplinary strategic advisor, investor and entrepreneur. He has over 25 years of strategy, investment, banking and advisory experience. He has held senior appointments in global strategy, marketing, human capital and products with a range of international brands, such as Citigroup, HSBC, J.P Morgan and Westpac. He personally advises a number of Asian private family wealth offices, governments, DeepTech investment groups, one of South East Asia’s largest telecommunications companies and one of the world’s largest vertically integrated multi segment agri-food conglomerates (Charoen Pokphand Group of Thailand).