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.
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33:50
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33:50
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.
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51:25
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51:25
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.
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40:07
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40:07
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.
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59:36
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59:36
With Phil Evans, founder of Ambition Performance Coaching
In this episode, we’re joined by Phil Evans, founder of Ambition Performance Coaching. Phil is an executive coach with extensive experience advising leaders and Partners of accounting and professional services firms across Australia.Phil began his career in elite sport, working with professional athletes in sport science, so as an executive coach he links that high performance mind set and behaviours to the modern corporate and professional services world Phil shares plenty of insights into the journey of partnership, from those readiness conversations to the key attributes needed to become a Partner. We cover a lot in this chat, including, the importance of life balance, the need for consistency of character, what keeps Partners up at night, as well as the need for having good, supportive people around you throughout your career.I really enjoyed this chat, and not just because Phil is a scouser and Liverpool fan, but because it was great to hear that connection from elite sport to the corporate world and how Phil’s insights and advice relate to the path to partnership. So, whether you’re an emerging leader or a partner looking to elevate your practice, this conversation is packed with valuable advice. Up the reds!
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.
Ireland