Our Team
Columbus was established in 2003. We are an independent, Australian owned
and managed company. Each of the principals has a direct management role
in the company. There is, therefore, a very clear business focus and
alignment of interests.
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One of the strengths of Columbus is the significant depth of experience, overlapping skills and understanding of the financial services industry provided by our staff and responsible officers.
Bleddyn Gambold
Bleddyn has a degree in accountancy and is a member of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. From 1982 – 1990 Bleddyn worked for
the Bank of Bermuda in Bermuda, London and Hong Kong. He held senior positions
within the Bank and specialised in the provision of a full range of trustee
services, including settlement, custody, accounting, valuation and unit holder
registration services to a significant number of international fund management
companies. In 1990, Bleddyn joined LGT Asset Management in Hong Kong. He moved
to Sydney in 1997 where he was responsible for the management and administration
of LGT’s operations in Australia.
Bill Tootill
Bill is a solicitor admitted to practice in the United Kingdom and in Hong Kong.
In 1982, after 10 years as a practicing solicitor in England and Hong Kong, Bill
joined Jardine Fleming. As Group Company Secretary he had company secretarial,
legal and compliance responsibilities for the Group’s activities throughout
Asia. In 1991, Bill established and headed a new department providing legal,
regulatory and compliance support functions for Jardine Fleming’s investment
trusts, funds management and mutual fund activities. Bill joined Ord Minnett in
Sydney in 1997 as Group Company Secretary and joint Head of Compliance.
Tom Cottam
Tom has over forty years experience in the funds management industry having held
senior funds management positions both internationally and in Australia. In
1981, after 14 years with leading investment management and securities houses in
the UK, Tom joined the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, UAE as senior investment
manager. He had overall responsibility for equity and bond investments in the
European markets. In 1987, Tom joined Australian Mutual Provident Society in
Sydney as Chief Strategist. He had overall responsibility within AMP for
formulating and implementing all asset allocation decisions covering
international and domestic shares, bonds, property and cash. After a further
period with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority from 1991 – 1993, Tom joined NSW
State Superannuation and then in 1997 he joined INVESCO Asset Management
Australia as Chief Investment Officer. From 2000 – 2004, Tom was Head of
Investment Research with Van Eyk Research Limited with responsibility for
investment strategy and for stock selection.
Jenny Wily
Jenny was a partner in the law firm Deacons for over twenty years where she specialised in Managed Investments, AFS Licensing, IPOs and general corporate and commercial law. In May 2007, Jenny established Wily Legal and Consulting and now provides legal services to clients primarily involved in the financial services industry. In addition to her role as a non executive director of Columbus, Jenny is on the Board of a number of funds management companies. She is highly regarded in the funds management industry for her technical expertise, her in-depth knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in Australia and her clear and practical advice.
Jenny has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons 1) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and a Bachelor of Civil Laws from Oxford University, England.
Andrew Fong
Andrew has over
nine years experience in the investment management industry and
has considerable experience in all the major asset classes. Andrew was
previously with County Investment Management in a number of roles, ranging from
Quantitative Analyst to Assistant Investment Manager responsible for Balanced
Funds and International Equities.
Andrew holds the degrees of BSc (Hons), and MBA from the University of
Melbourne. Prior to joining the investment management industry, Andrew was
employed in Information Technology in diverse roles ranging from Software
Development to Project Management.
Attila Fekete
Attila
has over twenty-five years experience in property design, development, real
estate investment and asset management. He has a Diploma in Valuation from
the Australian Property Institute and is a Licenced Real Estate Agent. In
addition, Attila holds the Diploma of Financial Services and satisfies the
requirements of ASIC Policy Statement 146. Attila has held senior positions
with the Investa Group, Macquarie Bank, Bailluie Knight Frank and Knight
Frank (NSW). Attila advises Columbus on property related schemes.
Peter Fuller
Peter is a qualified CPA and a member of Chartered Secretaries, Australia. He
has worked in senior positions in the financial services industry for over 20
years. From 1983 to 1995 Peter was Company Secretary of Credit Lyonnais
Australia, with responsibility for head office accounting, administration and
personnel. From 1995 to 1997 he was Manager, State Administration NSW for
Challenge Bank. In 1997 Peter joined INVESCO Australia as Financial Controller
with responsibility for all aspects of the group’s finance and administration in
Australia.
Robyn Allam
Robyn has had an extensive career in accounting and office administration. She
has a Commerce and Accounting qualification from TAFE, NSW. Robyn was with Newman & Pengilley, a large regional firm of Solicitors, for ten years as Senior
Accountant. After a break to pursue family interests, Robyn ran two successful
commercial enterprises in Retail Sales.
Lynne Rando
Lynne
has over thirteen years experience in financial services specialising in
compliance, managed funds and insurance. Lynne obtained certification under
PS146 and provided general and personal client advice as an authorised
representative. In addition to her financial services experience, Lynne also
has considerable accounting experience gained in a variety of roles in
manufacturing and distribution.
Jane Regan-Jefferson
Jane has over 20 years experience in the finance industry. Jane worked in retail banking with Westpac from 1985 -1990. She spent some time in the United Kingdom working in the Derivative Operation departments of Morgan Stanley, Bankers Trust, & Citibank. She returned to Sydney in 1996 where she worked for BNP Paribas Securities Services (formerly AMP Investments / Cogent Investment Operations) in Custody & Investment Operations, specialising in Equity Settlements, Corporate Actions and Managed Funds.
Bleddyn has a degree in accountancy and is a member of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. From 1982 – 1990 Bleddyn worked for
the Bank of Bermuda in Bermuda, London and Hong Kong. He held senior positions
within the Bank and specialised in the provision of a full range of trustee
services, including settlement, custody, accounting, valuation and unit holder
registration services to a significant number of international fund management
companies. In 1990, Bleddyn joined LGT Asset Management in Hong Kong. He moved
to Sydney in 1997 where he was responsible for the management and administration
of LGT’s operations in Australia.
Bill is a solicitor admitted to practice in the United Kingdom and in Hong Kong.
In 1982, after 10 years as a practicing solicitor in England and Hong Kong, Bill
joined Jardine Fleming. As Group Company Secretary he had company secretarial,
legal and compliance responsibilities for the Group’s activities throughout
Asia. In 1991, Bill established and headed a new department providing legal,
regulatory and compliance support functions for Jardine Fleming’s investment
trusts, funds management and mutual fund activities. Bill joined Ord Minnett in
Sydney in 1997 as Group Company Secretary and joint Head of Compliance.
Tom has over forty years experience in the funds management industry having held
senior funds management positions both internationally and in Australia. In
1981, after 14 years with leading investment management and securities houses in
the UK, Tom joined the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, UAE as senior investment
manager. He had overall responsibility for equity and bond investments in the
European markets. In 1987, Tom joined Australian Mutual Provident Society in
Sydney as Chief Strategist. He had overall responsibility within AMP for
formulating and implementing all asset allocation decisions covering
international and domestic shares, bonds, property and cash. After a further
period with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority from 1991 – 1993, Tom joined NSW
State Superannuation and then in 1997 he joined INVESCO Asset Management
Australia as Chief Investment Officer. From 2000 – 2004, Tom was Head of
Investment Research with Van Eyk Research Limited with responsibility for
investment strategy and for stock selection.
Jenny was a partner in the law firm Deacons for over twenty years where she specialised in Managed Investments, AFS Licensing, IPOs and general corporate and commercial law. In May 2007, Jenny established Wily Legal and Consulting and now provides legal services to clients primarily involved in the financial services industry. In addition to her role as a non executive director of Columbus, Jenny is on the Board of a number of funds management companies. She is highly regarded in the funds management industry for her technical expertise, her in-depth knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in Australia and her clear and practical advice.
Jenny has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons 1) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and a Bachelor of Civil Laws from Oxford University, England.
Andrew has over
nine years experience in the investment management industry and
has considerable experience in all the major asset classes. Andrew was
previously with County Investment Management in a number of roles, ranging from
Quantitative Analyst to Assistant Investment Manager responsible for Balanced
Funds and International Equities.
Attila
has over twenty-five years experience in property design, development, real
estate investment and asset management. He has a Diploma in Valuation from
the Australian Property Institute and is a Licenced Real Estate Agent. In
addition, Attila holds the Diploma of Financial Services and satisfies the
requirements of ASIC Policy Statement 146. Attila has held senior positions
with the Investa Group, Macquarie Bank, Bailluie Knight Frank and Knight
Frank (NSW). Attila advises Columbus on property related schemes.
Peter is a qualified CPA and a member of Chartered Secretaries, Australia. He
has worked in senior positions in the financial services industry for over 20
years. From 1983 to 1995 Peter was Company Secretary of Credit Lyonnais
Australia, with responsibility for head office accounting, administration and
personnel. From 1995 to 1997 he was Manager, State Administration NSW for
Challenge Bank. In 1997 Peter joined INVESCO Australia as Financial Controller
with responsibility for all aspects of the group’s finance and administration in
Australia. 
Robyn has had an extensive career in accounting and office administration. She
has a Commerce and Accounting qualification from TAFE, NSW. Robyn was with Newman & Pengilley, a large regional firm of Solicitors, for ten years as Senior
Accountant. After a break to pursue family interests, Robyn ran two successful
commercial enterprises in Retail Sales. 
Lynne
has over thirteen years experience in financial services specialising in
compliance, managed funds and insurance. Lynne obtained certification under
PS146 and provided general and personal client advice as an authorised
representative. In addition to her financial services experience, Lynne also
has considerable accounting experience gained in a variety of roles in
manufacturing and distribution. 
Jane has over 20 years experience in the finance industry. Jane worked in retail banking with Westpac from 1985 -1990. She spent some time in the United Kingdom working in the Derivative Operation departments of Morgan Stanley, Bankers Trust, & Citibank. She returned to Sydney in 1996 where she worked for BNP Paribas Securities Services (formerly AMP Investments / Cogent Investment Operations) in Custody & Investment Operations, specialising in Equity Settlements, Corporate Actions and Managed Funds. 