Meet the team

Next Step PMD was born from the merger of two Financial Planning practices, PMD Financial Advisers and Next Step Financial Strategies. The founding partners of both firms, Tim Donohue, James Esselmont, Roxy Kruger and Roger Ellingworth, have combined their industry experience and expertise to bring a leading and comprehensive wealth solution offering to the Melbourne market.

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Roger Ellingworth

Authorised Representative of Consultum / Director Financial Adviser

Roger is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and has been in the financial planning industry since 1983. Roger has predominantly specialised in Retirement Planning. Along with the responsibilities of the strategic direction of the practice and management of staff, Roger's primary role is to assist clients in achieving their financial and lifestyle goals in retirement.

Roger likes to stay fit and participates in yoga regularly.

Download: Roger's Adviser Profile
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Matthew Smith

Authorised Representative of Consultum / Financial Adviser

Matthew has been working in the financial services industry since completing his Bachelor of Commerce in 2011. He initially joined the team as a paraplanner and technical specialist where he was responsible for providing technical support to the financial planning team. Matthew also holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning).

Download: Matthew's Adviser Profile
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Tim Donohue

Authorised Representative of Consultum / Director - Private Client Services

Beginning his professional career as a Certified Practising Accountant at PWC, Tim joined the financial planning industry in 1987. Tim’s area of speciality is providing advice to high income executives, private family businesses, and high net worth investors.

Importantly, Tim’s chartered accounting background combined with his extensive expertise in financial planning means he can offer all clients a complete range of advice to help them achieve their financial and lifestyle goals.

A wonderful endorsement of Tim and the team’s professionalism and expertise was Tim’s ranking as one of Australia’s Top 50 Financial Advisers as released by Barron’s/The Australian.

Download: Tim's Adviser Profile
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James Esselmont

Authorised Representative of Consultum / Director - Private Client Services

James deals with a range of clients, including many successful business owners and high net worth individuals. James started his career in financial services in 1997 and has worked for a range of key financial planning businesses including Outlook Financial Solutions and St Andrews Wealth Management, a subsidiary of Halifax and owned by the Bank of Scotland. James is highly qualified with a Bachelor of Economics degree, an MBA and is a Certified Financial Planner (highest standard in financial advice)

James is passionate about helping his clients to achieve their goals and aspirations through robust holistic financial advice. He believes in maintaining long-term relationships so clients can maximise the benefit of quality advice.

James is married with three young children so his professional golf career is on hold for the time being! He likes to keep fit so he can keep up with the kids and values the importance of family.

Download: James's Adviser Profile
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Alex Cao

Paraplanner

Alex is responsible for providing technical support to the Financial Planning team. Since completing his Bachelor of Commerce at Swinburne University, he has been working in financial services and has a great knowledge and passion for the industry. Alex is committed to continuous improvement and is currently completing his Diploma of Financial Planning.

Alex loves watching Manchester United’s games and playing badminton with friends in his free time. Also, he enjoys taking his beautiful dogs out for a walk after work.

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Melinda Smith

Client Services Manager

Melinda is well known to many clients. She has been working in the financial services industry since 1998 and has built up a wealth of knowledge and experience. Melinda applies this knowledge and experience to help coordinate practice staff and planners to provide a high level of service to our clients.

Melinda likes dining out with family and friends in her spare time and also enjoys practising yoga and pilates.

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Roxy Kruger

Director - Private Client Services

Roxy joined the original business in March 2006 after previously being in the financial services industry for around ten years. Roxy assists the Financial Advisers with the researching, preparation and construction of financial plans, and she has an excellent understanding of each client’s needs and objectives and ultimately, where the funds are invested and how they are managed.

Roxy is the first port of call for many of the administration requirements of our clients, and she has an experienced team assisting her to ensure our clients receive a high quality of service from PMD Financial Advisers.

In her spare time, Roxy loves watching her boys play their team sports, plays tennis herself and continues to improve her bridge game. Being a Grand Master will hopefully one day become a reality!

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Josh Parrott

Adviser Assistant / Paraplanner

Josh joined the team after holding a couple of roles in substantial superannuation and accounting practices and through experience and studies, has gained a strong understanding of wealth management.

He is also completing university degrees (majoring in financial planning) which will further underpin his career progression.

His role as an Advisor Assistant/Paraplanner involves providing support to the advisory team as well as dealing directly with clients on a range of client servicing issues.

When he has some free time, Josh volunteers with the National Project Team of a National Charity (Neighbourhood Connect Inc), and also enjoys hiking in the Victoria alpine region.

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Susan Shaw

Business Development Manager

Susan’s career expertise in financial services covers both corporate/credit banking but also her key area of professional interest, financial services business development and marketing.

The experience and skills she has developed are key to her role at PMD where Susan is responsible for working with the team to develop marketing and business development plans to achieve business growth.

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Alannah Crook

Client Service Officer

Alannah has worked in the financial services industry for several years and is currently studying a Bachelor of Business with a major in Financial Planning. The opportunity to meet new people and her enjoyment of face-to-face interactions with clients are key reasons for Alannah to pursue her chosen career path as a financial planner. These skills will be well-used as Alannah works closely with our Adviser team to provide customer service support to PMD clients.

Alannah is a Storm supporter who loves dancing and spending time at home with her cat and dogs.

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Dana Bonnici

Receptionist / Client Service Officer

Dana is starting her professional career after working 7 years in customer-orientated retail roles while completing her Bachelor of Arts degree.

In her spare time, Dana enjoys working alongside publishers to complete book reviews and proofreading.

Many of you will quickly get to know Dana, as she will be calling clients to organise planning meetings on behalf of the Adviser team as well as assisting with many client service activities.