Our Team
Marissa Bennett
Director Business Services, Tax & Corporate Compliance
Marissa started with Marsdens in 2000 and was admitted as a Partner in 2003. Marissa is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has a Double Major in Accounting and Finance from Edith Cowan University and also has a Masters in Taxation from the University of New South Wales.
Marissa has a real passion for people and using her deep tax knowledge to help clients to structure the business or project correctly and legally minimise the tax position.
Leveraging her experience, Marissa works closely with clients to get the most out of their business incorporating a strategic review of their KPI’s and margins as well as proactive cash flow management. Marissa understands that positive cash flow is the life blood of a business and helps clients to successfully plan the optimum exit from their business via sale, transition or inter-generational transfer.
Marissa heads up the accounting, taxation and business advisory services for Marsdens. In addition she has a talent for working with listed entities and providing the Accounting, Tax and Company Secretarial support for those seeking to list and those that are established public companies.
Prior to joining Marsdens, Marissa worked with a middle tier chartered accounting firm, commencing as an Accountant and working her way up to Business Services Manager over a 7 year period.
Marissa’s clients include a range of small to medium businesses including those in mining, finance broking, wine making, production and exportation, veterinary services, retailers and wholesalers, and building developers among others.
Email Address marissa.bennett@marsdens.com.au
Mobile Number 0400 304 003
Alec Blacklaw
Director Business Improvement & Strategy
Alec joined Marsdens in December 2009 as a Partner.
Alec holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and is a CPA and is a lifelong learner of what the best businesses and individuals have done to excel in their space. Alec has a strong tax background, coupled with deep commercial acumen blending practicality, listening and the ability to think laterally to deliver solutions.
Alec has a passion for working with business owners to make their business more profitable, valuable and enjoyable. Alec has extensive business credentials gained from working in Commerce with a leading Multinational and in Retail with a global fashion brand. In addition, Alec has sat on many Boards, and has been a business owner, coach, mentor and business advisor for over the last 24 years.
Founder and Managing Partner of a leading boutique Accounting Practice in Melbourne in 1990, he built a high performing business that has been acknowledged as entrepreneurial and forward thinking in the Accounting Profession.
He has consulted to many businesses and industries at various stages of their business cycle – from start -ups to those that are established and need a kick start or re-alignment.
As a strategist at heart and with an entrepreneurial spirit, Alec has a focus on Implementation, leveraging the core beliefs and attitudes that drive and enhance business performance.
Alec has developed and owns significant Intellectual Property including leading Business Improvement Programs for the SME market and has run many programs and focus groups for Clients and their Teams. This I.P. and programs can be tailored for any industry and run anywhere from 1 hour sessions to 3 day live-in programs.
Alec is a regular Key Note Speaker.
Email Address alec.blacklaw@marsdens.com.au
Mobile Number 0408 351 403
James Shadbolt
Director Business Operations
James joined Marsdens as a Director in December 2009.
James has a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Business Management and minor in Human Resources.
James has formerly held similar roles as a Business manager for a mid tier Accounting Firm and before that with leading Legal Practices in Western Australia.
He has dedicated himself to the management of professional services firms and applies this performance improvement experience to all facets of the business, our team and with many of our clients.
James has experience in accounting, legal and human resources industries and is absolutely focused on improving efficient and effective work systems and processes, thus enhancing the performance and profitability of the organisation.
James provides this business operations and management expertise to many of our clients helping them run a much better business – particularly as it grows and develops requiring improved systems, processes and documentation.
In earlier years James has worked in number of different businesses, and has owned his own business in legal support and was a scuba diving instructor for many years.
This blend of diverse business experience combined with attuned people skills has allowed James to bring out the best in people, enhance their personal development and increase their contribution to the business.
Email Address james.shadbolt@marsdens.com.au
Mobile Number 0414 011 019
David Lennon
Client Manager
David holds a Bachelor of Business (Edith Cowan University) and is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.
David began his accounting career at a mid tier firm in Perth in 1993, before travelling to London to work for some time, gaining valuable experience along the way. Returning to Perth, David spent 10 years as Business Services Manager with a mid tier firm and joined the Marsdens team in early 2010.
David provides tax and business strategy advice to a wide range of clients in all types of industries, trades and professions and is committed to the sustainable development of client businesses.
David is passionate about superannuation and has a deep knowledge in this specialist area and enjoys finding solutions which deliver outstanding results for clients in their accumulation and pension phases.
David takes pride in being able to deliver value to our clients by going the extra mile to ensure his work is of the highest standard and is continuously looking for opportunities to assist with the growth of their business.
Not limiting himself to the workplace, David believes in sharing his knowledge and resources with the wider community, where he is actively involved. David has been a guest speaker a number of times for Local Chambers of Commerce where he has presented topics on accounting techniques, understanding financial statements and also on the dynamics of making a business successful.
Email Address david.lennon@marsdens.com.au
Mobile Number 0410 458 008
Darren Taylor
Client Manager
Darren holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Curtin University of Technology) and is an experienced member of CPA Australia.
Darren joined Marsdens in early 2010 and has over 16 years experience working with individuals and businesses and is focused and passionate about helping clients achieve their potential, delivering value and service of a consistently high quality.
He has developed and honed a thorough knowledge of the Australian Tax system and the various nuances & applies this daily to help clients efficiently and effectively apply what works best for them in their business and in their personal affairs.
Darren’s personable advisory style provides a forum for our clients to share their goals, allowing us to plan their business structure to optimise the results they seek, consistent with their objectives.
Darren is committed to developing close client relationships based on trust, integrity leveraging his diverse skills in accounting and tax. Darren specialises in income and capital gains tax matters, tax structuring and proactive tax planning for small to medium size business. In addition Darren works with our clients to correctly structure their property investments mindful of capital gains tax, negative gearing and maximizing their tax deductions.
Darren utilises his financial management skills to the accounting information that clients present and has a good understanding of what is important for the success of people in business – explaining things in simple English with no jargon.
Email Address darren.taylor@marsdens.com.au
Mobile Number 0417 989 267
