People

Alan Cullen (B.A (Econ), Dip. Law) - Director

Alan has had extensive experience in senior positions in the finance industry including CEO of the Australian Finance Conference, Executive Director of Midland Bank's Merchant bank and CEO of the Australian Bankers’ Association.

Alan's advice has been sought by listed and private companies, governments and their agencies and industry associations. His business advice has encompassed a wide range of business issues and he has been particularly active in assisting growth businesses of significant scale.

At Cullen Capital he has developed many structured finance solutions that have enabled the more efficient use of capital and changed the way in which a number of industries have traditionally funded their activities. Alan’s deep relationships with the banks have facilitated many productive collaborations providing superior outcomes for clients.

Alan aims to bring innovative ideas, the value of experience and commitment to quality of execution to deliver value added service to clients.

Alan has a B.A (Econ), Dip. Law from Sydney University.

Darren Lurie (B.Com (Hons) and B.LLB (Hons) – Director

Darren is an experienced corporate adviser who has successfully advised clients across a range of industries including manufacturing, food, agribusiness, printing, facilities management, importing and distribution, logistics and education. Clients often rely on Darren to take a hands on role in leading the negotiation of acquisitions and divestments, arrangement of the necessary funding and the co-ordination of other advisers and the transaction process. His advice to ASX listed and private clients extends to equity capital markets and structured finance solutions, mergers and acquisitions.

Darren’s financial expertise and background as a mergers and acquisitions solicitor enables clients to rely on him to negotiate and then supervise the transaction process to ensure highly successful outcomes of both large and small transactions. Darren has advised a number of ASX listed companies engaged in industry consolidations securing the required funding and negotiating a series of acquisitions enabling them to double in size.

Darren was previously a mergers and acquisitions solicitor with Andersen Legal and a founding partner of a boutique Melbourne commercial law firm. He graduated with Honours in both Law and Commerce (major – Accounting and Finance) at Monash University.

Michael Johns – B.Bus (Banking & Finance), Grad Dip (Applied Fin & Investment)

Michael is an experienced corporate financier and adviser who has successfully advised clients across a range of industries including transport & logistics, manufacturing, agribusiness, printing, importing and distribution. Michael has extensive experience in debt advisory, capital structuring as well as general corporate advisory for private and public companies. Michael has been involved in structuring and arranging funding for acquisitions, MBO’s, major capex, property development and a number of asset based structured finance transactions.

Prior to joining Cullen Capital he was a Director at Deloitte Corporate Finance and a corporate banker at ABN AMRO Bank.

Alex White – B.Bus (Economics/Finance) with Distinction – Analyst

Alex White is an Analyst at Cullen Capital providing detailed financial modeling, documentation and analytical services to Cullen Capital’s clients. These services are provided across a broad range of transaction types including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity structuring and funding.

Alex graduated from RMIT University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Business (Economics/Finance). He was awarded the School of Economics & Finance Prize in his final year, which is awarded to the student with the best academic results. He recently completed the Level I Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam.

Prior to joining Cullen Capital, Alex spent two and a half years working at Standard & Poor’s as a Credit Rating Analyst for bank and non-bank financial institutions in Australia and New Zealand.