Our People

Bangarra Family Office is a private family office founded by Jeff Chapman in 2000. It has global reach, with core Australian businesses operating alongside businesses in Europe and the US.

While the Group’s individual businesses are managed autonomously by their respective executive teams, the Group’s broader interests are managed by the Group’s Executive Team.

Board of Directors

Meet the Board of Directors

Jeff Chapman AM

B.Juris., B. Bus. (Acc), MBA, FCPA

Founder Director

Carena Shankar

B.A. (Hons) Econ

Non Executive Director

Jeff Chapman and Carena Shankar are the Founder Director and Non Executive Director, respectively, of Bangarra Family Office. It is Jeff and Carena’s philosophy, their philanthropy and their drive for personal improvement and social fairness that provide the fuel for Bangarra Family Office and the ecosystem that has developed around it.

Though they started out in very different parts of the world, common to Jeff and Carena’s experiences are the values of sportsmanship – no individual is greater than the team, our actions must uplift and support each team member, every team member’s contribution is valued. When applied to communities and business, these values prove their worth again and again.

Likewise, Jeff’s personal mantra of ‘no risk, no magic’ is the central ethos behind Bangarra Family Office’s continued success. It has resulted in a culture of striving to be the best in every field they play on, pursuing excellence through collaboration, taking every opportunity to contribute to and improve the lives of those around them.

As of February 1, 2024, Jeff Chapman has officially retired from day-to-day activities. All of the correspondence and calls directed to him are being processed by Emily Harrington, Chief Executive Officer – Bangarra Family Office. Emily can be contacted via [email protected]

Hon. Phil Honeywood

B.A. (Hons), MAICD

Non Executive Director

Phil Honeywood is a Non Executive Director of Bangarra Family Office and the Bennelong Foundation.

In addition to serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), Convener of the National Council for International Education and a member of the Tuition Protection Service Board, New Colombo Plan Roundtable and the Education Visa Consultative Roundtable, Phil brings his long service as a Member of the Victorian State Parliament.

Phil’s perspective is further informed by his time as Victorian Minister for Tertiary Education, Training and Multicultural Affairs.

Anil Nair

B.A. (Econ), MBA

Executive Chairman

Anil brings over 25 years of international experience as CEO and has successfully led large organizations with diverse interests in construction, real estate & hotels, media & alternative investments. His key strengths include driving organizational change & growth. After a stint with the original Bennelong Group on its senior management team, Anil continued his career overseas. He has rejoined Bangarra Group after 17 years.

Executive Team

Brett Mawdsley

B. (Comm), Commerce. Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants ANZ

Chief Financial Officer

Brett Mawdsley is the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Bangarra Family Office. Brett has over 16 years of professional experience working with private companies, large corporate groups and not-for-profits. Prior to joining Bangarra, Brett was an Audit Partner of Deloitte where he focused on private companies providing both audit and corporate transaction advice.

Brett brings a breadth of experience both from audit, tax, transactions and compliance to the Office and plays a key role in supporting the various investments and the Bennelong Foundations in Australia and the UK.

Brett has a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University and is also a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Emily Harrington

Chief Executive Officer

Emily Harrington is the Chief Executive Officer of Bangarra Family Office.

Emily Harrington has over 13 years’ experience working with high-net-worth families in the Luxury Retail space. Emily leads by example with a positive approach to every day. Emily has a Bachelor of Health Sciences, Deakin University and a passion for Health and Wellbeing.

Christopher Lynch

B.Bus, CFA

Senior Manager

Chris Lynch is a Senior Manager within Bangarra Family Office and he supports a range of initiatives across the group.

Chris brings broad corporate finance experience from his background in advisory and leveraged finance. Chris holds a Bachelor of Business (With Distinction) from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a CFA Charterholder.