Our people – better the devil you know
Diablo Management Limited is jointly owned by Brett Ammundsen and Mark Talbot. Together we work with entrepreneurs, investors and their management teams to initiate and grow successful businesses based on intellectual property and technology. We do this by getting fully involved at the board and executive management level, where we apply our skills and expertise to ensure that all elements for business success are in place and optimised.
We have worked closely together with a number of technology companies since 2003. Brett and Mark’s skills are different but complementary, allowing us to offer investors and companies a breadth of experience and perspective.
In addition to Brett and Mark, Diablo retains a team of employees and contractors with skills in finance, management, administration, engineering and business modelling. Together we also have well established networks with investors, financial and legal services, government funding agencies, banks, businesses and universities, both in New Zealand and internationally.
Brett Ammundsen
Brett has been working with technology in business for the last 10 years. He has held chief executive, operational and management consulting roles in several early to mid stage technology companies. These have included companies active in renewable energy and materials technology, biotechnology, and software.
Brett’s expertise is in management, integration of technology with business objectives, and optimising the value of intellectual property in businesses. He has a PhD degree in chemistry and physics. In earlier phases of his career he worked in scientific research in both the academic and commercial sectors. This deep familiarity and understanding of science and technology, combined with extensive business experience, enables Brett to unlock the full potential of companies’ technologies, and to harmonise technology goals with commercial objectives in order to build successful businesses.
Mark Talbot
Mark has been providing financial and consulting services to technology companies and investors since arriving in New Zealand in 1999, including working in the role of Chief Financial Officer for biotechnology, software, and renewable energy/materials companies. He originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the UK. Prior to relocating to New Zealand he worked for several years in Bermuda with offshore hedge funds, investment holding companies and trusts, initially in the business services group of Ernst & Young, and later managing the Bermuda office of a Moscow-based investment bank. He also spent time with a NYSE listed company establishing a suite of investment products targeted at the Bermuda captive insurance market.
Mark’s expertise is in investment and financial management, and in working with executive management teams, boards and investors to optimise financial strategies for business growth. Mark was CFO of Proacta Therapeutics Limited in 2004 when it won the New Zealand Biotech Company of the year at the New Zealand Hi Tech Awards.
Mark is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA).
