Our Team – Laguna Bay

Our TeamProdigy Plus2025-02-25T17:02:19+10:00

Our Team

Non-Executive Team

Merv Peacock

Independent Chair of the Fund, Investment Committee and Audit & Compliance Committee

David Foote

Non-Executive, Deputy Chair of the Investment Committee

Steve Hall

Non-Executive Member of the Investment Committee

Peter Knoblanche

Non-Executive Member of the Audit & Compliance Committee and Investment Committee

Executive Team

Tim McGavin

Founder & Managing Director

Scott Weitemeyer

Managing Director, Transactions

Ben Trickett

Managing Director, Assets

Matthew Bird

Managing Director, Funds & Chief Financial Officer

Robert Marshall

Investment Director

Sam Denman

Investment Director

Tracey Davern

Head of Legal & Compliance

Nikki Mortimer

HR and HSE & Safety Manager

Scott Weitemeyer

Robert Marshall

Want to find out more?

We’re always looking for talented agri-business teams and like-minded investors.

LB-Non-Executives_Merv-Peacock

Merv Peacock

Independent Chair of the Fund, Investment Committee and Audit & Compliance Committee

Merv is an investment professional with over 50 years’ experience across a full range of asset categories. A former Chief Investment Officer of AMP Capital Investors and a Director on numerous boards, including UniSuper, where he was also Chair of the Investment Committee.

LB-Non-Executives_David-Foote

David Foote

Non-Executive, Deputy Chair of the Investment Committee

David is a current Director of Cattle Australia, with more than 45 years’ experience in agriculture, including as Managing Director of Australian Country Choice one of the world’s largest family-owned, vertically integrated cattle and beef supply chain organisations. David is currently a member of the Australian Government Agricultural Trade & Market Access Group. and is a former Councillor on the Australian Meat Industry Council and Board member of Workplace Health & Safety Queensland.

LB-Non-Executives_Steve-Hall

Steve Hall

Non-Executive Member of the Investment Committee

Steve has built strong relationships across more than 30 years in the investment and funds management industry and brings an investor focused perspective to the Investment Committee. Steve was the Chief Executive Officer of Brookvine, and now heads up Redpoint Capital working with fund managers globally to bring innovative investment opportunities to market.

Peter Knoblanche

Peter Knoblanche

Director, Non-Executive Member of the Audit & Compliance Committee and Investment Committee

Peter has had nearly 40 years’ experience in wholesale and retail banking, having worked with various local and international banks across his executive career. His most recent role was as Regional Manager of Australia and New Zealand and CEO Australia for Rabobank, a leading global food and agribusiness lender. Peter was also a member of Rabobank’s global Wholesale and Rural Management Team and has a deep understanding of strategy, agribusiness, funding, commodity trading and risk management.

Executives_Tim-McGavin

Tim McGavin

Founder & Managing Director

Tim has been active in the food and agriculture sector for 35 years and a food and agricultural investor for over 20 years, founding Laguna Bay in 2010, with extensive networks across a wide range of food and agriculture sectors. Tim is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee.

Executives_Scott-Weitemeyer

Scott Weitemeyer

Managing Director, Transactions

Scott has over 25 years’ experience in food and agriculture joining Laguna Bay in 2020. Scott was previously CEO of Goodman Fielder. Scott leads the firm’s Transactions function and brings a wealth of experience having built and led several of the larger integrated FMCG and agribusinesses in the region, including by acquisition and joint ventures.

Executives_Ben-Trickett

Ben Trickett

Managing Director, Assets

Ben has been a funds management professional for more than 10 years and with Laguna Bay since 2016. Ben leads the firm’s Asset Management function, oversees the Legal & Compliance function and is a director on several investee boards.

Ben is actively involved in leading transactions and asset management and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and Audit & Compliance Committee.

Robbie Marshall 2021-website

Robert Marshall

Investment Director

Rob has over 15 years’ experience in managing large corporate and real estate acquisitions and divestments, with a background in private equity, real estate and real asset investments across various sectors. Rob is a Director on multiple investee boards.

Sam Denman

Sam Denman

Investment Director

Sam has been with Laguna Bay for more than 7 years and has experience in managing complex acquisitions. Sam has a background in financial modeling, analysis, and mergers and acquisitions through his previous roles at BDO Australia. Sam is a Director on multiple investee boards.

Executives_Tracey-Davern

Tracey Davern

Head of Legal & Compliance

Tracey has over 20 years’ experience as a legal professional having previously held a senior counsel role at Allens Linklaters and senior legal and governance roles with the Queensland Government. Tracey has advised on property, infrastructure, natural resources, construction and environmental law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. Tracey provides legal services to the Laguna Bay group of entities as well as overseeing its compliance function. Tracey is Company Secretary for Laguna Bay and its funds.

Matt Bird 2023-website

Matthew Bird

Managing Director, Funds & Chief Financial Officer

Matt has over 20 years’ experience in financial management including a previous role as Head of Fund Management - Global Alternatives EMEA and ANZ. Matt brings extensive experience from one of the world's leading alternative asset managers in the infrastructure, renewables, real estate, agriculture and private credit finance.

Executives_Nikki-Mortimer

Nikki Mortimer

HR & Health & Safety Manager

Nikki is an HR professional with more than 20 years’ experience in the UK and Australia, including 18 years’ experience in employee transitions. Nikki joined Laguna Bay in 2018 and works closely with Green Square our health and safety service providers who specialise in corporate agriculture.