Gary McConaghy, Ross Barclay
Family offices are often spoken of as the natural destination for families of significant wealth, yet few people can say what one actually does. Gary McConaghy, Managing Director of McConaghy Properties, opens by setting the scene through the McConaghy story: how a family enterprise came to be served by a family office, what that office does, and the governance that holds it together. Ross Barclay, a third-generation family business leader and co-founder of FULFIL Advisory, then share his inisghts on how a family should test whether it needs one, and why succession and relationships matter as much as the balance sheet. Families leave with a clearer way to ask the question, and a sense of what the answer would demand of them.
Gary is the Managing Director of McConaghy Properties where he is responsible for the future vision and direction of the McConaghy Family Corporation including the McConaghy Family Office and the family’s current and future investments.
Gary oversees all Governance requirements for McConaghy Properties and the McConaghy Family Office. Prior to joining McConaghy Properties, Gary held senior development, design and construction roles within Lend Lease Australia.
Gary joined McConaghy Properties in 2004 and worked alongside Jim McConaghy, the Chairman and Founder. After 10 years working across and leading every department within the business, Gary commenced in the role of CEO in 2014.
Ross is a third-generation family business leader and strategy specialist with over a decade of experience across finance and aged care. As a co-founder and Director of FULFIL Advisory, he combines practical commercial strategy with deep psychological insights. He is currently completing a Masters of Business Psychology to complement his MBA. Ross is dedicated to solving the complex interpersonal and structural challenges of succession.
Georgia Barkell is a finance and investment professional with a strong grounding in financial strategy, complemented by a deep interest in people, relationships and the dynamics that shape outcomes over time.
She is the founder of Kinexis, where she works alongside families as a consigliere, helping to develop and implement right-sized strategy and governance. Her approach brings a risk management lens to the skilful stewardship of family values and wealth across generations.
Georgia brings 25 years of experience across Chartered Accounting, Investment Banking, Technology, Fund Management and Family Office, with a career spanning Australia and the UK and experience with organisations including Deloitte, Westpac and General Electric. She is an experienced Director, Executive and Investor.
A mother of three, Georgia’s deep connection to family is reflected in Anthony Brandt’s words: “Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.” Outside of work, she enjoys travel and languages, snow skiing, music and reading — interests that continue to shape her perspective and curiosity.
