about the author

Hello. I’m Gordon Pender.
My work includes preparing business plans for SME, and investment reports for fund managers and governments.
I have raised more than $20 million in capital – both equity and debt – for 15 businesses, including start-ups – plus a few plans that did not deliver.
I have worked with many good, quiet Australian entrepreneurs and have an extensive network of business contacts.

My areas of expertise:

• Raising risk capital including equity, debt and government grants and loans
• Preparing comprehensive, professional Business Plans and Feasibility Studies
• Preparing ‘due diligence’ reports for fund managers and government authorities
• Financial modelling and general business management consulting assignments

I managed a portfolio of unlisted investments for Australian Ethical Investment Limited for a period, as contract investment manager, and have undertaken due diligence and investment appraisals for fund managers and government authorities.
My 24 years as an independent consultant is backed by 20 years’ prior practical experience in production, QA, marketing, finance and business management. I work with some clients over many years. More than half my work is now repeat business.

Achievements

Gordon Pender and Company has worked with some 95 clients on 130 assignments over 24 years to prepare practical business plans and to raise risk capital. The emerging Australian venture capital industry since the 1980s has not been kind to small enterprises seeking capital, particularly those in manufacturing and in regional Australia. I am proud of my success in assisting and raising capital for my clients in a difficult market, and providing professional advice to many larger organisations.
I have gained a wealth of experience from working with some of Australia’s best entrepreneurs on practical projects to create new enterprises and new employment. I have a good understanding of how small business works, and how it should work.

Raising Risk Capital

Business Plans which have raised risk capital totalling more than $20 million include:

• Business plans for Lang’s Meats to build a new abattoir and to buy an existing one
• Financial modelling for a financial services consortium including Macquarie Bank
• $3 million for S.D Reid and Sons to grow Japanese variety cherries in Tasmania
• A $2.9 million government grant to support Netball Tasmania’s strategic plan
• $2 million in equity for Strathclyde Pty Ltd from NSW Investment Corporation
• Start up equity and bank loans for Parle Foods Pty Ltd and a grant for expansion.
• Commonwealth Development Bank equity funding for Bidgee Valley Produce
• A grant and an Austrade loan for Fletcher International’s wool processing plant
• Two capital raisings plus government funding for Cowra Export Packers Limited
• Innovative Agricultural Marketing Program loan for Glenmore Exports Pty Ltd
• Business Victoria establishment grant for Cedenco Australia
• loan finance for restructuring the trust which owns Namoi Rural Traders
• $0.4M equity, $0.4M loan and $0.2M grant for Huon Valley Mushrooms
• a government grant for expansion and job creation for Retorque in Tamworth

‘Due Diligence’ and Business Analysis Reports

Gordon Pender and Company reviews business plans and investment proposals, and prepares other business analysis reports, for a number of finance providers including:

• Contract investment management of unlisted equities for Australian Ethical Investment Limited
• Due Diligence reports for CVC Investment Management’s various funds
• Investment appraisal report for Deutsche Asset Management
• Investment recommendation report for van Eyk Capital
• Reports on loan recipients for NSW Department of State Development
• Preparation of Commercial Referee’s reports on applications for R&D Start loans
• Preparation of Commercial Referee’s reports for Austrade concessional loans
• Review of economic development plans in Broken Hill for NSW Premier’s Dept

Academic work

• Lecturer to final year MBA and B.Bus students, University of Technology Sydney
• Enterprise Workshop: program adviser and lecturer (NSW and Tasmania); mentor to winning teams in the national final (1988) and NSW final (1988 and 1989)
  

NON-COMMERCIAL ASSIGNMENTS

• Strategic Plan for employment of disadvantaged people for Northside Enterprises
• Financial advisor to Newton’s Restaurant - a WorkVentures community project
• Strategic Planning for the Barker College Foundation and School Council
• Project Planning for Oasis Youth Care Centre for the Salvation Army
  
• Member of Management Committee and Treasurer –  Stretch-a-Family Inc