Path to Partnership

Hosted by Steve Cole

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Mar 2026

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About the show

The Path to Partnership podcast is an interview series where I, Steve Cole sit down and talk to Partners of accounting, legal and advisory firms about their individual career journey on how and why they became a Partner.

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24 recent

March 10, 202631 min

With Wayne Plummer- Head of Tax at newly formed, PE backed, Horizon Nexus Partners & Ex Senior Tax Partner at PWC

In this episode, of the Path to Partnership, we sit down with Wayne Plummer, a long-time leader in the Australian tax profession, to discuss a career shaped by longevity, unexpected resilience, adaptability, and constant reinvention.Wayne reflects on his decades at PwC, where he built a diverse career across client advisory, technical leadership, and risk and quality roles. He explains how setting clear goals and continually changing focus kept his work engaging over the years.We also discuss the disruption that hit the profession in 2023 and how it forced a major career reset. Wayne shares what that period taught him about trust, loyalty, and adaptability and how navigating uncertainty ultimately strengthened his confidence for an unexpected next stage of his career.The conversation then turns to his move to Alvarez & Marsal and his new role as Head of Tax at Horizon Nexus Partners, the new entrant in the Australian professional services market who are financially backed by BGH. Wayne explains what attracted him to the opportunity to help build something new and how the firm offers an alternative to the traditional Big Four model.Along the way, Wayne shares insights on mentoring, the increasing complexity of the partner role, what aspiring partners should focus on to stand out, and why established partners shouldn’t feel pressure to achieve everything quickly.

February 3, 202640 min

With Peter Saccasan – Ex Partner of RSM, Guild Accountants and Co-Founder of Saccasan Bailey Partners

In this episode of the Path to Partnership podcast I am delighted to spend some time and chat with Peter Saccasan. Peter is a Sydney accounting legend and someone I have known for 20 years. Peter was Co-Founder & Partner of Saccasan Bailey Partners (est in 1992), a high profile boutique accounting firm based in Sydney who at the time was one of the best boutique firms in Sydney. In 2006 SBP became part of the Guild Group and became Guild accountants, 5 years later they merged the business into RSM. Peter is a brilliant example of how developing a niche and doubling down on that niche can bring huge success. Peter is known as the Pharmacy expert having advised in that industry for nearly 30 years. During our chat we talk in depth about business development, what that means to Peter and how you should go where your clients are such as industry events. We talk extensively about building trust with clients, and how clients don’t just want an advisor to understand the numbers, but also the business itself and the things that impact the success of a business. As well as the importance of mentoring, personal brand, leveraging technology and leadership, having recently transitioned away from the RSM Partnership we also talk about Peter’s latest venture, his own consulting firm PSE Advisory where he advises Partners & leaders of accounting firms on strategies to implement change, technology, or process. Peter is genuinely one of the nicest guys in the industry, so if felt like a really warm, insightful chat. Thanks Peter, for your time.

December 16, 202556 min

With Arlene Kristianto – Business Advisory Partner and National Lead for Diversity Equality and Inclusion at RSM

In this episode of The Path to Partnership Podcast we welcome Arlene Kristianto, Business Advisory Partner and National Lead for Diversity Equality and Inclusion at global mid-tier, RSM. Arlene has had a super interesting journey to Partnership, from beginning her career in a boutique firm, to moving to a global mid-tier with RSM, to her valuable experience as an internation secondee to her Path to Partnership.We cover lots of subjects in this chat:The value of an international secondment for her career then, and now.Having those initial chats about Partnership and looking up thinking “there isn’t anyone that I can relate to.” Arlene is really passionate about the importance of representation which lead her to one of her current roles as National lead of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at RSM.We talk about the challenges of balance. How to manage the pressures of team and client expectations and being present at home, a challenge that is constant of course.The importance of mentors in her career to-date.We talk about AI, how it’s impacting the market now but how if could impact the professional services landscape over the coming 2-5 years. This was a great episode where Arlene gave candid insights into career journey, as well as real advice on the journey for others. A must listen for anyone on that Path to Partnership.

October 21, 202541 min

With Tim Loh – Assistant Commissioner at the ATO.

In this episode of The Path to Partnership Podcast, we welcome Tim Loh, Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and a name (and face) many Australians came to recognise during the COVID-19 pandemic.Thrust into the spotlight as the public face of the ATO during a time of national uncertainty, Tim stepped far outside his comfort zone to lead public communications across TV, radio, and press. His calm, clear messaging and a style people resonated with, Tim helped guide millions of Australians individuals, small businesses, and tax professionals alike through complex support programs and changing tax measures.Tim shares how that experience reshaped his understanding of leadership, the importance of authentic communication, and what it takes to build trust at scale. He also opens up about his journey from private practice to public service, and how the ATO is working more closely than ever with practitioners to support a stronger, fairer tax system.This is a must-listen for aspiring leaders, partners-in-waiting, and anyone curious about what how the power of a personal brand can be leveraged.

September 16, 20251 hr 9 min

With James d’Apice – Business Owner / Lawyer at Gravamen

Delighted to have spent an hour in the presence of James d’Apice, he is a man with many talents, he’s host of two popular podcasts, he’s a rapper (!), author, social media celebrity and yet he still finds the time to be a leading commercial litigator, business owner, husband and father of 3!James shares his unconventional journey through law — from spending his informative lawyer years with the highly respected Makinson D’apice (MakDap) which has of course, strong family ties to James, to then forging his own career path, driven by his litigation specialism and desire to challenge the status quo, resulting in James launching his own firm Gravamen in 2023.We discuss his career pivots, the early seeds of Coffee and a Case Note, as well as the importance external mentors have played in James’s career across law and marketing.Inside This Episode:Why James resisted being part of the family firm for the long term— and what changed his mindThe origin of Coffee and a Case Note and its surprising slow burn successHow radio, rap, and rigorous case law came together to build his personal brand and shaped his marketing strategyThe reality of starting your own firm, balancing professional ambition and family ambition, and the values that drive his new business GravamenWhy brand doesn’t equal revenue (at least not at first) — and how that shifted over timeJames gets candid about, privilege, branding, his definition of “bricks and mortar” and finding your lane in a changing legal landscape. If you're in professional services, this is a must-listen….And yes, he’s as good a bloke in person as he comes across on camera!

September 2, 202546 min

With Samantha Lo – Newly promoted Business Advisory Partner at BDO

In this episode, we sit down with the newly anointed business advisory Partner Samantha Lo, to explore her unconventional and inspiring journey to the top. From her early days in the motor industry group at Deloitte to a slightly unplanned two-year detour working remotely from Hong Kong, Samantha's Path to Partnership is an inspiring one.We dive deep into:The Power of a "Non-Linear" Career: How her time in Cairns and Hong Kong, working with diverse clients like banana farmers and international corporations, shaped her into the leader she is today.The Foundations of Partnership: Samantha shares the crucial role that mentorship, personal branding, and building authentic relationships played in her progression from Assistant Manager to Partner.Redefining Success and Work-Life Balance: We talk about the myth of the "always-on" Partner. Samantha discusses how she managed to build a successful career and a young family, highlighting the importance of clear communication, trusted support, and making time for the things that matter.This episode gave us the prospective of a newly appointed Partner, the importance of mentors, family and how it feels when you get to Partnership. It is a must-listen for anyone on the Partnership track who wants to learn how to navigate their career with intention, self-doubt, flexibility, and a whole lot of determination.Thank you Sam!

August 19, 2025Episode 1533 min

With Sean Keegan – Head of Tax for Australia at Alvarez & Marshal (A&M)

In this in-depth episode, Steve sits down with Sean Keegan, the Head of Tax for Australia at Alvarez & Marsal (A&M). Sean takes us on a fascinating journey, from how he "fell into" a tax career at PwC to his time in the investment banking world in London and his return to M&A tax. He offers a transparent account of the challenges he faced, including rebuilding his professional brand after a stint overseas and the demanding transition to becoming a brand-new partner at a new firm.We also explore his move to A&M, where he and his Senior Partners have built a national tax team from the ground up. He shares why the unique opportunity to start with a blank sheet of paper, backed by a global consulting brand, was an offer he couldn't turn down.Listeners will get an inside look at:The "Three-Legged Stool" of a Successful Partner: Sean's unique take on the three essential attributes needed to thrive in a leadership role.Business Development Secrets: Why building trust and relationships is more crucial than selling, and how to start doing it from day one.Navigating Career Progression: Candid advice on dealing with frustration and why a bit of extra patience can make you a more successful partner in the long run.The Power of Personal Brand: How to leverage a global firm's name to build your own reputation and the critical role your personal brand plays in a new business.The Future of the Industry: A forward-looking discussion on how technology, particularly AI, is reshaping professional services and the importance of in-person relationships that can't be replaced.This is an essential listen for anyone in accounting, law, or consulting, offering practical wisdom and inspiration directly from a leader who has built his career by challenging the status quo.

May 13, 2025Episode 1651 min

With Vincent Scali – Business Advisory Partner at Nexia

In this episode of the Path to Partnership podcast we are joined by Vincent Scali, Business Advisory Partner at Nexia in Sydney.This was a really great chat, perfect for this podcast as Vincent became a Partner just under a year ago so his path to partnership is fresh and new!Vincent talks very candidly about the transition from employee to Partner and the various challenges he faced, including the fact his father was a Senior Partner at the same firm, and as Vincent discusses, there were no favours for him in his partnership journey, in fact quite the opposite. So Vincents journey to Partner was far from conventional, we talk through the time, he moved firms and service lines and took it upon himself to go back to being a grad even with 2 years experience at PWC. In my view, an early sign of Vincents self-awareness and high EQ, no doubt.Beyond the Partner promotion itself, Vincent delves into the plan ahead as a new Partner, building his own client portfolio in a rapidly evolving market. He shares practical strategies for generating new business, leveraging his existing network, and the importance of embracing personal branding in the digital age.Finally, Vincent imparts invaluable advice for aspiring partners, emphasizing the importance of patience, mentorship and continuous growth. It was such an enjoyable and insightful chat, a must listen to anyone on that Path to Partnership.

April 29, 202540 min

With Alistair Marshall – Director of Professional Services BD

In this episode of The Path to Partnership, we're joined by Alistair Marshall — Amazon bestselling author of Grow Your Professional Practice, keynote speaker, and one of the foremost voices in business development for professional services firms in Australia.Alistair shares his journey from fast-moving consumer goods into the world of professional services where he quickly noticed a gap: highly qualified professionals who struggled to articulate why clients should choose them. From that observation came a mission — to help firms and individuals not just grow, but grow with purpose.We unpack:Why no one hires a generalist in 2025 — and how to position yourself as an expertThe real definition of business development (hint: it's not “selling”)Strategies new partners can use to attract better clients and talentThe importance of personal brand and building a visible, credible digital footprintWhy "you can’t build a great relationship from behind a desk"And how firms can stop relying on price as their only differentiatorThis episode is packed with practical advice, frameworks, and if you know Alister plenty of good humour, and is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their practice or stand out in a crowded market.

April 15, 2025Episode 1559 min

With Shane Bell – Co-Founder and CEO of NSB Cyber

In this episode, I chat with Shane Bell, Co-Founder and CEO of NSB Cyber — a leading Australian cybersecurity advisory firm. NSB stands for “No Steps Backward,” and once you hear Shane’s story, it’s clear that mantra has guided not just his business, but his entire career.Shane began his journey in the Australian Navy straight out of school — an experience he loved. From there, he made a bold move into the commercial world, starting out in HR admin at an IT company. That role opened the door to a position in their digital forensics and IT team, where he began building his technical skills.In 2007, Shane joined McGrathNicol as a Manager in their Digital Forensics team, helping to grow their Melbourne practice. After six and a half years, he moved to PwC to be part of their new and growing cyber practice — attracted by the opportunity to do what he described as “cool stuff” in the cyber space.Two years later, the chance to return to McGrathNicol and help build a dedicated cyber division was too good to pass up. Shane spent another eight years there, making Partner in 2017. Then in 2023, he took another leap — co-founding NSB Cyber, a business he’s truly passionate about.I’ve always admired people who take big career pivots, and Shane’s made several — from the military to tech, from tech to consulting, and from Director to Partner to CEO.This was such an enjoyable conversation — not just because of Shane’s story, but because he’s genuinely a great guy to talk to.