people at arcem
Phil is a specialist tax advisor with more than 16 years' experience serving for corporate groups, large family businesses and small-cap ASX listed companies.
Phil has previously held roles as a partner in a mid-tier firm, heading up the tax consulting division and a director at a Big-4 firm, servicing small-cap listed companies and large privately owned groups.
As an active member of the tax community, Phil is a state councillor of The Tax Institute and a member of the ATOs Property and Construction Stakeholder Forum and was the winner of the 2021 SME Tax Advisor of the Year award.
Gemma Harris brings extensive experience to Arcem Advisory, with a background that includes senior roles at a Big-4 accounting firm. There, she advised high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and large private businesses on complex tax and succession issues, building a foundation of expertise in tax and accounting compliance, governance, and strategic planning.
Her work with high-profile clients in these areas equipped her with the skills to address intricate family office needs, navigate multi-jurisdictional tax landscapes, and provide insights that drive sustainable, multi-generational growth.
Gemma understands the importance of clear governance and succession protocols for preserving family wealth. She draws on her experience in advising some of Australia's leading family-owned businesses to implement structures that define roles, streamline decision-making, and establish succession plans that respect family values and long-term goals.
With over three decades of experience across professional services and private banking, Ashley is known for building deep, enduring relationships with clients, particularly families navigating the complexities of business, succession, and legacy.
Ashley was a partner at a Big-4 firm for 11 years, where he advised some of Australia's most significant family enterprises and business owners. He has deep experience advising and supporting family offices across governance, intergenerational wealth transfer, investment oversight, and structuring.
He is a former Chair of Institute of Chartered Accountants' National Education Board, and Ashley is a recipient of their Meritorious Service Award for outstanding professional contribution. He is currently Chair of the State Opera of South Australia. As an Adjunct Professor at the Adelaide University he has taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in family business, finance, accounting, and global wealth management.
Peter brings three decades of extensive experience from a Big-4 firm, where he served in various capacities such as head of tax, member of the Australian National Board, and National Executive Committee, including a position on its Global Middle Market Executive.
Transitioning from the Big-4 in 2015, Peter embarked on a career focused on Governance and Advisory. His governance roles encompass chair positions with prestigious organizations like RAA, RAA Insurance, Electricity Industry Superannuation Scheme, Hood Sweeney, and Robern Menz. Additionally, Peter serves as a non-executive director at ECH.
Peter's involvement extends to numerous Board Committees, including Investment, Finance and Audit, Governance and Nominations, and Risk. He provides strategic counsel to private and family-owned groups on critical matters such as Governance, Strategy, Succession Planning, and business enhancement.
Michael brings over 20 years of experience advising and leading entrepreneurs, family offices, investment firms, and growth businesses across the United States, Australia, and India. Known for his strategic clarity and hands-on leadership, he works with families and enterprises to navigate transformation, align financial and operational structures, and steward long-term value across generations.
As Head of Finance at Cascade Investment, the private investment office of Bill Gates, Michael held a senior leadership role within one of the world's most sophisticated single-family offices. There, he oversaw complex investment structures, operational risk, and governance frameworks, gaining deep insights into the design and execution of family office strategy at the highest level.
Michael's broader career includes roles as SVP of Business Operations at BentallGreenOak, Partner at MCNW Group (Merrill Lynch), and CFO of Tribridge Residential, a U.S. real estate investment firm. He has also worked closely with family-led and founder-driven businesses, including as an advisor to emerging enterprises across sectors such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, energy, insurance, and aerospace. Michael is the founder of Waite Partners.