News & insights

Investment and advisory firm Jarden today announced a strategic milestone in its 60-year history, expanding its service offering into the Australian market with the appointment of four leading Australian bankers and market specialists to drive Jarden Australia’s growth.

The appointments of Robbie Vanderzeil, Sarah Rennie, Dane FitzGibbon and John Spencer are the cornerstone of the firm’s strategy to extend its investment banking business deeper into the Australian market, with an emphasis on equity capital markets. Vanderzeil will lead the operations as CEO, Jarden Australia.

Since Jarden was founded in 1961, the firm has worked with some of Australasia’s largest companies and institutions. The firm has been on a growth and acquisition path over the past five years in New Zealand and its services now span investment banking, capital solutions, wealth management and direct broking.

Jarden Group CEO, James Lee, said the expansion in Australia is another milestone in Jarden’s history. “With Australia and New Zealand’s capital markets becoming increasingly synchronised, Jarden has for some time been looking at growth opportunities in the Australian market. We’ve moved now to take advantage of changes in the industry to enable us to establish a position of strength in Australia’s capital markets.” 

“This move also comes at a time when there is potential for our businesses and our economies to work even more closely together. Jarden has a 30-year strategic alliance with Credit Suisse and our two companies will continue to work collaboratively in the best interests of clients.”

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 “We’re excited by this opportunity to bring such a strong team together and we’re looking forward to working with them as we focus on growing Jarden in Australia.” - James Lee

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Executive Chairman Bill Trotter said: “Throughout Jarden’s history we’ve forged close relationships with great people and leaders within Australia’s financial and business community, based on our commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for clients. It’s exciting to be entering this next chapter of our Australia strategy.”

Incoming Jarden Australia CEO, Robbie Vanderzeil, said: “Jarden is the clear market leader in New Zealand and it’s logical the firm should expand into the Australian market. I’m proud and excited to be part of their plans and to be working with people who I respect greatly as we build a client centric business and attract top talent.”

The four foundation leaders in Jarden’s Australia team will start in their roles through 2020. They are:

• Robbie Vanderzeil will lead Jarden’s Australian business. Robbie brings more than 25 years’ experience in Australasian markets, including in his roles as UBS’ Chairman of Investment Banking, Head of Equities and prior to that Head of Hedge Fund Sales. He is renowned for his deep relationships, understanding of risk, pricing and capital markets
• Sarah Rennie was formerly Head of ECM at Goldman Sachs in Australia. Sarah is renowned for her considered approach and deep market relationships. Over a 20-year career she has led some of Australia’s most significant transactions, and currently is a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel
• Dane FitzGibbon was formerly Co-head of Capital Markets for UBS Australia where he was responsible for advising clients on a broad range of transactions across the capital structure, including equity, equity-linked, hybrid capital and debt. Prior to this role Dane led UBS’ investment banking coverage of Emerging Companies and domestic Private Equity
• John Spencer was previously Head of ECM Syndicate UBS Australia, with responsibility for the syndication of some of the largest and most complex transactions in the Australian market over the last 5 years. Prior to this he headed Equity Sales at UBS, where he was instrumental in the establishment of the market leading institutional block trading business.

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