Plan for success
with the best business planning consultants in the game.
The 24 Hour Business Plan team are not your typical business planning consultants. We are senior-level business people with experience running high growth businesses as CEOs.
First and foremost, we’re experienced business leaders.
Each of our facilitators has been at the helm of significant businesses, from startups to multinationals. Collectively, we have deep business planning experience in almost every industry you can name.
Fresh eyes in wise heads.
We’ve faced crises, led transformations, fought competitors and secured results – with the stories to prove it. We’re now investors, advisors, Board Members and mentors. And we’re also now available to you, to help separate the signal from the noise, find patterns in the data and apply critical lessons from outside your own vertical. Our business planning consultant bios are below, but we’d much rather meet up for a conversation.
Andrew ‘Billy’ Baxter
Founder & Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Chair, board director, business advisor and marketing thought leader, Andrew is the Chair of Australian Pork, Deputy Chair of Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and a Non-Executive Director at BirdDog (ASX), Foresters Financial, GrowthOps and Hypetap. He is also a Senior Advisor at BGH Capital and the Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the University of Sydney, and has been the Senior Advisor to KPMG's Customer, Brand and Marketing business. Prior to this he was the CEO of two of the country's largest communications agencies, Publicis, and Ogilvy.
When he was running Ogilvy Australia, Andrew had 17 companies reporting to him, and at Publicis he had 12. He soon realised that to grow each company you needed robust business plans for each, which had to have an easy to understand strategy, and a clear and prioritised set of must-do’s to execute that strategy. In 10 of 11 years as a CEO, this discipline led to top-line revenue growth.
After stepping into a portfolio career in mid-2018, Andrew was approached by a number of companies to cast his eye over their operations as a business planning consultant. He decided that the best way to ensure accountability of his advice, was to develop a business plan framework that leveraged his years of experience. The result was the 24 Hour Business Plan, which Andrew has now run for over 100 companies in the past few years, with much success.
Ron Gauci
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Ron has developed a significant reputation as the “Go To” executive for organisations who are looking for significant growth, transformation, good governance, asset leverage and/or quality leadership. He has an extensive track record of major business transformations regardless of complexity or adversities. Ron has an innate ability to navigate organisations through realising their untapped potential.
His previous roles include Interim positions as CEO at AIIA, Fed Square, Melbourne Storm, and Melbourne Polytechnic (Formerly NMIT). As CEO & MD of the Melbourne Storm, Ron navigated the club to success post the Salary Cap scandal that rocked the sporting world. Ron also built and implemented a recovery strategy for the financially challenged Melbourne Polytechnic.
Ron has also held senior positions in some of the largest multinational and domestic technology organisations including Telstra, IBM, Microsoft and Verizon. He is a Graduate of AICD and has extensive Board experience across a variety of different industries including being the current Chairman of Vicsport, and a former Chairman of the Victorian Council, a former member of the International CEO Forum and he has held a position on the Board of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).
Nick Cleaver
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
An experienced CEO, board director and advisor recognised as a leading marketing thought leader and business transformation specialist, with over 30 years’ commercial experience in the communications sector. Leading the transformation of two world class marketing services groups to include multiple businesses across the creative, media, data, telemarketing, and technology segments. Providing best in class service delivery in the public, government, and NFP sectors. He grew, led and sold one of these groups to global network the Interpublic Group.
The prime architect of major business transformation strategies and communication campaigns for ASX 200, Fortune 500 and SME clients in major categories such as banking, insurance, funds management, FMCG, travel, tourism, food and beverage, entertainment, retail and automotive.
Nick is recognized as an expert financial and commercial leader with proven governance experience, consistently recognised for leadership from both a commercial and cultural perspective.
An entrepreneurial business thinker he created, grew, and sold, Cleaver’s The Organic Meat Company, Australia’s first organic brand of sustainably grown meat available in major grocery chains. A company that continues to operate successfully.
Nick is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a mentoring position with the Marketing Academy and is currently Advisor to rapidly growing customer experience automation technology company, Transformd.
Archie Fraser
Senior Advisor & SALES DIRECTOR
Business Plan
Archie has a wealth of experience in executive and leadership roles within major sports organisations, including the AFL, NRL, A-Leagues, and Football Australia. His tenure as CEO of St Kilda FC was marked by significant restructuring and improvement, leading to a period of stability and progress for the club. In 2016,
Archie took on the role of CEO at Optiscan Ltd (OIL), an ASX-listed Meditech company, where he successfully increased market capitalization from $4 million to $50 million by 2018. Under his leadership, Optiscan collaborated with Carl Zeiss Meditec to deliver a breakthrough product to the Neurosurgery market, following the successful completion of QA, CE, and FDA testing processes.
For Archie, every successful project and role requires leadership, alignment, and the development of a clear, actionable plan.
David Rebetzke
Senior Advisor
Marketing Plan
With over 20 years of brand experience across the world in senior marketing leadership roles, Dave has an exceptional track record of delivering strong business and brand growth within major multinationals such as Colgate Palmolive, Nestle and Unilever.
In his more recent Global Marketing Director roles in Unilever, he was responsible for building inspiring visions for growth, setting strategic plans and executing against them.
David is known for simplifying the complex and converting consumer insight into sustainable growth. He has a strong passion for understanding everything about the consumer and crafting ideas that can deliver for them and the business.
Bronwyn Powell
Senior Advisor
Business Plan | Marketing Plan
Bronwyn is the CEO of The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI), a CMO/senior marketer, board director and senior advisor, who is known for big brand reinvention. She has over 30 years’ experience transforming and positioning brands for growth, with a focus on global food brands across Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) to Retail/Quick Service Restaurants (QSR). At the heart of her success, has been her ability to develop take insights and turn that into innovative new products and services with commercial success. Driven by strategies and bold communications that connect with consumers and change businesses.
She has close to 10 years’ experience as Global Marketing Director and Chief Marketing Officer for YUM Brands - KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut – where she grew the brand globally from Canada to the Europe to Asia. Coupled with many years locally at McDonald’s Australia.
Her experience in strategy development and execution extends beyond transformation and growth to customer experience across all touchpoints including digital, especially within Retail/QSR. Her passions are brand purpose and innovation and she loves’ breathing life back into brands and categories. Some of these include time at Kellogg, Mars, Tip Top, Smith’s Snackfoods, to name a few FMCG brands.
Bronwyn is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Certified Practicing Marketer/Fellow of AMI and a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing- UK (FCIM). Her passionate is ensuring marketing executives continue to lead organisations for growth, with brands that connect with the hearts and mind of our consumers.
Jarther Taylor
Senior Advisor
Business Plan | Marketing Plan
Jarther is a strategic marketer, an educator and an entrepreneur. It’s these three complementary perspectives that inform a comprehensive view of the business landscape – and your growth opportunities within it. He understands the craft, recognises the importance of real-world impact and spends his time on the cutting (and learning) edge.
Jarther has worked in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific with some of the world's most successful brands such as Telstra, IBM, HP, Saatchi & Saatchi and most recently KPMG.
Businesses from the scale of IBM to growth-stage start-ups like Yellow Canary have benefitted from Jarther’s strategic approach. Students at AGSM @ UNSW Business are learning from his expertise.
As 24 Hour Business Plan's Virtual CMO and Strategic Advisor, he brings a customer-centric lens to the development and execution of business planning.
Michael Laps
Senior Advisor
Business Plan | Marketing Plan
Michael is a born strategist with over 15 years of experience working with executives, senior leadership teams and entrepreneurs to drive revenue for their companies.
An award-winning marketer, in 2014 Michael founded and was CEO of what became one of Australia’s premier independent digital agencies, Yoghurt Digital. By the time he exited in mid-2022, Yoghurt had a team of 35 across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and had worked with household names like ANZ Bank, H&R Block, P&O Cruises, Converse, the NRL and many more.
Since then, Michael has launched a growth advisory focused on building effectivemarketing strategies in parallel with strong operational capabilities to deliver not just growth - but scale.
In his spare time, Michael is a Non-Executive Director at both Marriott Support Services and Family Life, a guest lecturer at Macquarie University and UNSW, and a trainer at Australia’s peak marketing body, the Australian Marketing Institute.
Steve DOHerty
Senior Advisor
Business Plan | Marketing Plan
Steve is a seasoned professional who has worked in senior executive roles of multi-national companies and is now a successful business owner and advisor. With a distinguished career in both B2C and B2B domains, he excels in assisting organisations driving growth through new product and service offerings, customer programmes, culture development, marketing and operational efficiency strategies.
His unique blend of strategic acumen, creative vision, and business development expertise combined with an open-minded and curious nature makes him a great facilitator and contributor to any business plan.
Steve’s industry experience spans FMCG, Telecommunications, Automotive, Defence, Finance, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Media, Government, Sports, and Tourism.
As a business owner, he intimately understands the pressures, challenges and opportunities of growing and managing a business. In his advisory capacity, he generously shares his wealth of knowledge, helping organisations from all backgrounds navigate the complex terrain of growth and expansion. With a track record of fostering success across diverse industries, Steve is a trusted partner for your organisation to innovate and thrive in the business world.
Adrian Smith
Sales Director
Business Plan | Marketing Plan
Adrian is a 30 year veteran of the advertising industry having held senior roles in both Media Agencies and Owners in Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore. With a genuine passion for client service and training in Trusted Advisor (New York – IBM University) Adrian has developed many ongoing relationships with clients past and present with his focus on value exchange and dependability. It is this skillset that was critical in defending and retaining the $80M Singtel media account in Singapore six months after his arrival in a highly competitive market.
Adrian’s career includes 12 years with GroupM at MediaEdge (now Wavemaker) in Australia and Asia where he rose to the role of Managing Director as well as 3 years with Australian Radio Network as National Sales Director. He consulted to DBC2 Automotive Marketing consultancy where he was seconded to their largest client in an advisory capacity.
Adrian sat on the board of the Media Federation of Australia and has worked with various charities including Variety Children’s Charity and Look Good Feel Better Breast Cancer charity.
Tim Stanford
Senior Advisor
Business Plan | Marketing Plan
Tim Stanford, a seasoned marketer with a remarkable track record spanning over two decades, stands as a beacon of profitable growth amidst market disruptions. His prowess has led to an impressive $500 million in incremental recurring sales, showcasing his strategic acumen geared toward fostering growth. His approach combines an inspiring, creative touch in marketing with data-driven insights that steer decisions toward profitability.
With roles as Marketing Director at Cadbury, Darrell Lea, and Nando’s, alongside his own venture in marketing data analytics, he's honed a skill for disruptive strategies that deliver ambitious outcomes within constrained budgets. His expertise extends across various sectors, from Fast Casual dining, where he amplified value propositions at Nando’s, to revitalizing icons in FMCG like Darrell Lea, pushing revenues from $100M to $300M.
Moreover, Tim’s proficiency in leveraging data for profitable growth spans finance and insurance, where he transformed insights into potent performance marketing strategies. At Cadbury, his innovative approach reinstated their leadership position, securing the brand as the #2 most trusted in its category. His focus lies not only in creating marketing strategies but in sculpting offerings that define a business’s caliber, ultimately shaping successful ventures across diverse industries.
Paula Allen
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Paula is a highly accomplished CEO, Director, and advisor known for her leadership and ability to manage difficult conversations. She has a proven track record of scaling and growing organisations, turning them into efficient, customer-centric, technology-driven businesses with a strong focus on governance and risk management.
Paula successfully led the transformation of LUCRF Super into one of Australia’s fastest-growing businesses. She later led Bellwether Group, which was acquired by Contango under James Packer’s leadership. Paula has also served as a director for State Trustees, Open Universities, and VicTrack, where she played pivotal roles in repositioning and refocusing these organisations.
Paula is one of 25 individuals globally to have a quasi-judicial role for the Chartered Financial Analysts, serving on the Disciplinary Review Committee. She is also a foundation judge for the Telstra Best of Business Awards and holds key positions in oversight committees for various organizations. Paula’s qualifications include Chartered Financial Analyst (USA), Fellow Chartered Accountant, Certified Technologist, Graduate AICD, and Mastering the Boardroom Advanced Diploma. Her continued education includes studies in VUCA Leadership, new technology, big data, and ethics, both in Australia and overseas.
AnDREW Purchas
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Andrew Purchas is a seasoned CEO, board director, and trusted member of company finance and audit committees. With over 30 years of executive leadership across various industries in Australia and the United States, Andrew brings a wealth of experience in law, banking, technology, consulting, and fast-moving consumer goods.
His executive roles include serving as CEO of Intelligent Fleet Logistics, a cutting-edge AI-based last-mile logistics startup, and as Global Commercial Officer for Hivery, an innovative AI-driven retail space and assortment application. Previously, he held the position of Chief Security Officer at Westpac Banking Corporation and served as a Principal Consultant with CSC Index in San Francisco.
Andrew's commitment to community extends to his roles as a director of ACON Health Ltd, Sydney University Sport and Fitness Association, International Gay Rugby, Sydney Convicts Rugby Club, St Paul’s College, and Bingham Cup Sydney 2014. He actively contributes his expertise to numerous advisory and finance committees, notably chairing ACON Health’s finance and audit committee for a decade.
A passionate advocate for equality in sports, Andrew was honored with the Order of Australia in 2017 for his outstanding contributions to rugby and his dedication to promoting social inclusion for LGBTI communities.
Andrew is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds prequalification from NSW Treasury to serve on NSW Government Finance and Audit Committees.
Adam BEAUPEURT
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Post-exit founder, Adam was the co-CEO of one of Australia’s most sought after digital transformation agencies, growing the business to 60 people across Australia before it was acquired by the McCann brand. A strategist by trade, he has led transformations, growth strategies and commercial partnerships, working as a trusted advisor for the executive branch, across almost every sector.
Since exiting, he took on the role of COO of one of Australia’s future unicorns, a business that he has advised since its conception, and helped the CEO-founder shape the trajectory of its growth through commercial, operations and cultural stewardship. This was in parallel to his advisory and board positions on a number of startups seeking to disrupt the status quo through innovative thinking and differentiation.
Adam is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an alumni of The Marketing Academy, and previous lecturer, and has led a number of M&A transactions, both sell and buy side, across the technology and marketing sectors, for businesses under $25M, working in an advisory capacity post-sale to help consolidate the transaction.
Robert Kinkade
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Robert specialises in developing disruptive strategies and change programs for leading businesses and governments; with primary focus around integrating customer experience, supply chain and operations – powered by digital innovation, experience design, data analytics and anchored in tangible performance improvement. Robert has worked directly in start-ups and held regional digital leadership roles with both EY and Accenture.
Robert is also a successful startup founder having co-founded two companies. BeerLove is now in scale up mode after a successful pre-seed round and Robert is supporting the business part time as a Executive Board Chair, primarily focused on building strategic partnership with craft beer breweries. Robert also co-founded FORMM, a modern consulting business focused on e-commerce, digital transformation and new ventures. After serving as the founding CEO and raising capital to establish the core capabilities, Robert has transitioned to NED and is working on plans to spin-out core IP related to a generative -AI startup to disrupt the professional services industry.
Prior to working in advisory Robert held senior management positions with Nordstrom, considered a global leader in customer-centric and omnichannel retail. While at Nordstrom Robert led various initiatives within a highly successful technology-enabled business transformation program (Project Oxygen), and had early involvement with multi-channel operations and customer experience (early 2000’s).
Cameron Gregson
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Cameron has over 30 years of experience in the property and finance sectors. He has worked in and on some of the smallest and largest retail and mixed-use properties and portfolios in Australia, from regional neighbourhood villages through to vast CBD precincts and super-regional properties.
Most recently, he established and grew a property fund from conception to a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio through a focused strategy of acquisition, development, and joint ventures.
Cameron has also built and led small, nimble teams and larger multi-disciplined teams and enjoyed a long period of mentoring emerging industry leaders.
Today, Cameron runs a property consultancy where he advises small-medium sized real estate business developers, occupiers, investors and funds with the energy, appetite, and agility to grow into something far more relevant and meaningful.
Caroline Banhidy
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Having started selling snowballs at the age of eight then hitting the floor of the Australian Stock Exchange at fourteen, Caroline has a long-standing passion for doing business.
Currently Chair, board director and senior advisor, Caroline has worked in senior executive roles across multiple industries to facilitate major business transformation and growth initiatives. With experience in capital markets, financial services, apparel and manufacturing to professional services and member-based organisations, Caroline specialises in identifying the intersection between organisational strategy, value proposition and business model to deliver operational excellence.
As interim CEO, COO, and consultant for over 25 years, Caroline focussed on planning for change as a mechanism to de-risk business during times of accelerated growth and the uncertainty inherent to such growth. This includes major projects for multinationals and ASX listed companies to future proofing privately held businesses and professional partnerships.
Caroline transitioned to a portfolio career in 2019. She brings a risk management, governance, and sustainability lens to the business planning process. This allows for rapid growth with the necessary accountability mechanisms and measurable outcomes to track progress.
Julie Dormand
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Julie is a commercial business leader with a reputed track record of building company growth and managing through change. With over twenty years experience in Marketing, CRM/Customer Experience, Advertising and Business Management she has led and grown the leading CX Agency, MercerBell, through acquisition, buy-out and strategic merger. As agency lead, Julie has helped blue-chip brands such as Qantas, Mastercard and Purina to unlock their customer potential.
With a people-first leadership approach, Julie has a passion for creating human connections that unlock the potential of people, teams and businesses. A key industry contributor, her leadership has been acknowledged with the coveted AC&E Jon Clark Outstanding Contribution Award and Mumbrella Industry Leader of the Year 2019. Julie is also on the Board for ADHD Australia and Kimberlin Education and a mentor for Mentor Walks Australia.
Julie brings a mix of business mind and empathetic nature. She believes in daring leadership, the value of human connections and making business fun.
Mike Chuter
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Mike is passionate about mixing human brilliance with data, creativity, and technology to innovate and make an impact. His career has been focused on delivering business results through building relationships between brands & consumers in Australia, Europe, UK, and USA and is a past recipient of the Australian Marketer of the Year award. After years working in global agencies, he co-founded CUBED Communications, focused on improving customer engagement through the best use of digital & data driven marketing techniques. The business was sold to Publicis Worldwide, the world's 3rd largest communications group. He then co-founded Thankful, a social impact organisation to create positive action, and moved to New York for 3 years to bring Thankful to the world. Whilst in NY he was also Global CEO of a WPP-owned research-based consultancy.
Board Director positions include Australia’s largest marketing association ADMA, JDRF and Comic Relief Australia. He is also an adviser to JDRFi, Points4Purpose Loyalty and a mentor with Defy Ventures (US) for incarcerated men and women.
Nicki Anderson
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Nicki is an accomplished and highly recognised leader and director with deep experience in strategy, business plan consultancy, e-commerce, sales, marketing, licensing and innovation within world class branded fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) businesses both in Australia and internationally. A key element of her roles has been leading the business planning process at both an enterprise level and operational level and she brings this experience and skills to organisations she works with in her role as Senior Advisor to 24 Hour Business Plan. Nicki is always interested in and respectful of other people's point of view & will help teams by simplifying and creating focus on what will unlock the greatest value for an organisation.
Nicki is currently Deputy Chair of the Australian Made Campaign Limited; Non-Executive Director on ASX Listed Boards, Select Harvests and Funtastic Limited (who recently acquired e-commerce businesses Toys R Us and Babies R Us); Mrs Mac's Limited (Perth based, private family business); and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Above all, Nicki is a passionate, high energy leader who inspires people to achieve more than they thought possible. Nicki’s passion is giving back to her local community, balancing this with travel therapy.
Brett Charlton
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
As a CEO, Managing Director and Senior Advisor, Brett Charlton has held senior leadership roles across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia in the Pharmaceutical, Beverage and Food industries.
Brett has led growth programs in a gold standard suite of international companies including Diageo, Pepsico, Fonterra and Sanofi.
In 2014-2017, Brett led the $330M Sanofi Consumer Healthcare Australia business and built a $50M cross border ecommerce business into China.
As a Senior Advisor and business plan consultant to 24 Hour Business Plan, Brett brings a strong emphasis on governance and growth focus.
Mike Boyd
Senior Advisor
Business Plan
Mike has spent the past twenty years evolving from advertising and media agencies into the digital media era at the turn of the century, and then onwards and upwards with technology and operations at the core of everything he has done since.
The successful application of strategy and tech transformation has given Mike a unique perspective on the need and power of clear business planning and execution for businesses looking to extract the greatest value from their digital platforms.
Having done this for companies such as Tabcorp, Volkswagen, McDonald’s, and Castlemaine XXXX, Mike brings to 24 Hour Business Plan a wealth of business planning consultancy experience and knowledge when digital customer connections and technology are key growth pillars of your business.
A start-up founder with experience raising capital, building teams and products, and the experience of turning plans into actions and results.
Mike is currently leading eCommerce operations at News Corp Australia as they work to combine their huge daily digital readership with the power and immediacy of retail transactions.
Get in touch.
Get off the workshop merry-go-round and bring real strategic traction to your business planning. Contact our business plan consultants at 24 Hour Business Plan now.