Alan is a former partner in Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens). He is particularly experienced in the corporate and commercial fields, having had extensive experience as a Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate lawyer.

EXPERIENCE

Alan has advised and acted for a wide range of private companies and unlisted and listed public companies in diverse industries, statutory bodies and charitable institutions. He has extensive experience in advising on a variety of business- critical issues and being involved in the development and implementation of business and strategic plans; the preparation of information memoranda and offering documents; the conduct of due diligence reviews; and advising on corporate governance issues and other strategic matters.

In recent years, Alan has been closely involved in a number of start-up projects and corporate restructures and a range of business and contractual advices, M&A work and varied drafting and negotiation roles. He has also acted as a mentor for a number of established business owners, as well as younger entrepreneurs and business developers.

DIRECTORSHIPS

Alan has held non-executive directorships in a number of listed and unlisted public companies and private companies.

In the not-for-profit area, Alan’s experience is extensive and he holds or has held numerous appointments, including:

Educational

• Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority, Department of Human Services*
• Victorian Institute of Teaching, Member, Hearing Panel Pool*
• Swinburne College
• Cooperative Research Centre for Cellular Growth Factors*
• Independent Schools Victoria
• Independent Schools Block Grant Authority
• Independent Schools Council of Australia
• Mentone Girls’ Grammar School

* Governor-in-Council appointment

Other

Former Member, Advisory Board:

• Tony Hitchin Foundation (now Foundation 49: Men’s Health)
• Allana & Madeline Foundation
• Worldwide Orphans Foundation, Australia
• Life Education Victoria

OTHER

On Australia Day 2022, Alan was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for governance and administration services to educational and charitable bodies, and to the law.

Ian Pyman joined Business Redirections in February 2002 as co-partner and principal with Alan Frees. Both had been partners and colleagues at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens). Ian had joined the law firm in 1975 after graduating from Monash University in Melbourne. He became a partner in 1983. He left the partnership on 31 December 2001 to pursue other business interests.

EXPERIENCE

Ian’s experience is in the corporate and commercial fields. He has advised and acted for a wide range of private companies, unlisted public companies, statutory corporations and educational and research institutions in diverse industries, as well as the directors and senior executives of various organisations regarding their personal obligations and liabilities. The breadth of his practice has required Ian to advise on a variety of business-critical issues and to take an active role in the development of business plans and information memoranda. He has also conducted due diligence programs and consulted on corporate governance issues and other strategic business matters.

His experience in mergers and acquisitions covers companies and businesses in the motor vehicle, financial services, manufacturing, food retailing and technology industries, among others. He has worked extensively as well in complex matters involving financing arrangements, debt restructurings, corporate insolvency and work-outs.

Ian’s commercial experience also includes intellectual property and technology, including projects with start-up and spin-off companies, commercialisation and a range of business and contractual advices, M&A work and the preparation of commercial agreements in relation to technology businesses.

Ian also has experience in human resources, being the manager of his former legal firm’s human resources function from 1995 to 1998.

DIRECTORSHIPS

Ian has been a non-executive director of several private and public companies.

In the not-for-profit area, Ian is a former Chairman of Brainwave Australia, a national body established to assist with the research and treatment of children’s neurological disorders. He is also a former President of his School’s past students’ association and was a member of the School Council.

Ian has been extensively involved for many years with his former university, Monash University. He was a member of the Council of the University between 2005-2014 and Deputy Chancellor 2010-2014. Ian chaired the Audit and Risk Management Committee, as well as being a member of the Membership Committee, and he represented the Council on the advisory board at the University’s Gippsland Campus. He has also performed governance roles with the Monash Law School. In 2008, Ian was a member as well of the University Council’s selection committees for the appointment of two Vice Chancellors of the University and for other senior executive and academic positions.

OTHER

On Australia Day 2016, Ian was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant services to the community, particularly education and health organisations, and to the law.

In the same year, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Monash University.