Our Team
Nick Dignam - PARTNER
Nick has more than 15 years of private equity experience, focusing on growth capital and lower mid-market buyouts in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to establishing Fortitude, Nick was the Head of Growth Capital in Blue Sky’s Private Equity division, and prior to this as an Investment Director with Catalyst Investment Managers. Before Catalyst, Nick spent three years with Ernst & Young in the transaction advisory division.
Nick is a director of current Fortitude investee companies Aura Medical Group, Birch & Waite, HS Fresh Food, GM Hotels, Nomad Breads and Nutra Organics. He was a previous director of exited investee companies Better Medical, Hospital Pharmacy Services, Quality Foods & Beverages and Readify.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland, and a Masters of Applied Finance from Queensland University of Technology.
Nick Miller - Partner
Nick has 16 years of private equity experience. Prior to establishing Fortitude, Nick spent six years as an Investment Director in Blue Sky’s Private Equity division, Sovereign Capital, a UK mid-market private equity firm that specialises in buy-and-build investments.
He has also worked in the principal investment arm of Babcock & Brown and advising on M&A at ABN AMRO in Sydney after commencing his career as a civil engineer.
Nick is a director of Fortitude investee companies Aged Care Decisions, The Energy Network (TEN), Machines 4 U, Active Adventures, Aquila, Digital Lifecycle Group, ORIGO Education and Shorthand. He also serves on the Board of Orange Sky, a not-for-profit organisation.
Nick has a Masters of Business Administration (Distinction) from London Business School, a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland.
Bryan Brown - PARTNER
Prior to establishing Fortitude, Bryan spent four years as an Investment Manager with Blue Sky’s Growth Capital division. Bryan’s prior experience includes a further six years at KPMG Corporate Finance in London, Sydney and Brisbane. Bryan advised on several transactions across a variety of industries including financial services, healthcare, education, media, telecommunications, logistics, agriculture and industrial services with a primary focus on mid-cap sell side transactions.
Bryan is a director of current Fortitude investee companies Active Adventures, Aquila, Birch & Waite, Nutra Organics and ORIGO Education. Bryan was a previous director of exited investee company Quality Foods & Beverages.
Bryan has a Masters in Applied Finance, is a Chartered Accountant, and has completed a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Business from the University of Queensland. Bryan has also completed Harvard Business School’s Private Equity and Venture Capital Executive Education course.
Benedict H. Ryu - Executive Director / Asia Head
Benedict has more than 23 years of global investment experience, focusing on private equity and venture capital investments in Asia-Pacific Region. Prior to joining Fortitude, Benedict was the Managing Director in Mirae Asset Securities Hong Kong, the renowned Financial Group from South Korea. Prior to this, Benedict was the Chief Executive Officer in Mirae Asset Securities Singapore and held a Chief Executive Officer position in Mirae Asset Capital Markets India.
An investment banking expert with more than 23 years of global experience and comprehensive investor networks in Asia-Pacific Region, Benedict has successfully completed over 200 Capital Raisings (Equivalent to USD 20 Billion) so far. Elsewhere, Benedict has worked in Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Indonesia, USA and South Korea.
Benedict holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Economics and a Master of Commerce in Macro Econometrics, both from the University of Canterbury. He also completed a Global Investment Banking Diploma from Seoul National University, City University of London (Cass School) and New York University (Stern School).
Sam O’Connor - PARTNER
Prior to establishing Fortitude, Sam spent five years as an Investment Manager in Blue Sky’s Growth Capital division. Sam’s experience includes corporate finance and transaction advisory services at PwC where he was involved in mid-cap and large-cap buy and sell side transactions, including IPOs with a focus on energy, resources and consumer services.
Sam is a director of current Fortitude investee companies Aura Medical Group, Digital Lifecycle Group, GM Hotels and Shorthand. Sam was a director of exited investee companies Better Medical, Foundation Early Learning, Hospital Pharmacy Services and Shopper and Sunfresh Salads prior to its merger with Houston's Farm.
Sam has a Masters of Applied Finance (Dean’s List) from Queensland University of Technology and his Chartered Accountant’s qualification (CA), and a Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance, Accounting with Distinction) from Queensland University of Technology. Sam has also completed Harvard Business School’s Private Equity and Venture Capital Executive Education course.
peter taylor - investment MANAGER
Prior to joining Fortitude, Peter spent over four years in the Transaction Advisory Services division at EY, advising on several buy and sell side transactions across a range of industries including healthcare, agriculture, retail, energy, construction and real estate.
Prior to his time at EY, Peter worked in external audit with Pitcher Partners.
Peter is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) and Journalism, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from the Queensland University of Technology.
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Steve Mazzarelli - Head of Distribution
Prior to joining Fortitude, Steve spent 15 years at AMP Capital in wholesale distribution and strategic management roles. Steve’s most recent role was Head of Distribution across wholesale channels including family offices, multi managers, consultants, and advice networks; focusing on private market opportunities in Infrastructure and Property. Steve holds an Executive M.B.A (with Distinction), Bachelor of Business (Economics & Finance) and Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.
Henry Newton - Investment Analyst
Henry joined the Fortitude investment team in November 2021. Prior to this, Henry has a combined 3 years experience in transaction services and corporate restructuring services at FTI Consulting and PwC.
Simone Le Dilly - Investor Services and Office Manager
Simone joined the Fortitude Investment team in August 2022. Prior to this, Simone has 10+ years’ experience in client services and office management; holding roles across the tax accounting, liquidation, advisory and investment industries.
She has previously worked with KordaMentha, Trekk Advisory & Palisade Business Consulting and holds a Certificate IV in Business Administration and Work Health & Safety.
Chloe Hill - Investment Analyst
Prior to joining Fortitude in 2023, Chloe spent three years in Business Consulting at EY, where she advised clients in a range of industries including mining, agriculture, utilities, transport, retail and health care.
Chloe holds a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland.
Bowie huang - financial accountant
Bowie joined Fortitude following five years with Mazars Australia, holding roles across both the business services and audit divisions. Her experience includes managing high-net-worth individuals and small to medium businesses, providing audit and assurance services for various clients.
Bowie is a Chartered Accountant, and holds Masters of Business in Professional Accounting and Masters of Business in Applied Finance from Queensland University of Technology.
Philippa Bomba - Financial Controller
Philippa joined Fortitude in 2023 and brings with her more than 10 years experience in the funds management industry having previously held senior finance roles at CFMG Capital and RW Capital. Her experience includes financial management and team leadership primarily in the property and financial services industries.
Philippa is a Certified Practicing Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting and Banking & Finance from Queensland University of Technology.
Joseph Clay - Investment Manager
Prior to joining Fortitude, Joe spent over five years at UBS Australia in their Investment Banking Division. During his time at UBS, Joe advised on a number of public and private M&A transactions across a broad range of sectors including industrials, technology, healthcare, utilities, infrastructure and energy resources.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland.
NICK MCALLISTER - ACCOUNTANT
Nick joined Fortitude in 2024, bringing 7 years of experience in business services and advisory. His experience includes managing small to medium businesses across a range of industries including property development, trades and construction.
Nick is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in accounting from the Queensland University of Technology.