People

Daniel Besen AM

Chair

Daniel founded BESEN in 2000 to support creative entrepreneurs in business and manage a property development portfolio with projects in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and New York City. Daniel is directly involved in every BESEN project - bringing strategic skills, commercial nous and consumer savvy. Brands he has helped steer to success include Sass & Bide, Seek, MIMCO, Boost Juice and Strike Entertainment.

Daniel's 30+ year career spans law, retail property development, the performing and visual arts, architecture, fashion and design.

Daniel has a lifelong passion for the arts. He was the Founding Chair of Collingwood Arts Precinct (CAP) - a major public contemporary arts incubator and adaptive reuse project in inner-city Melbourne and is currently Chair of the Tarrawarra Museum of Art.

Daniel was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List and recognised “for significant service to the arts and to philanthropy.”

Duncan Murray

Chief Executive Officer
Advisory Board Member

Duncan, together with the senior team and Advisory Board, is a driving force behind BESEN's investment approach. With a history as a hands-on operator, he combines practical experience and analysis with BESEN's intuitive investment style.

Duncan commenced his professional life as a lawyer and investment banker, although the majority of his 20+ year career has been spent as CEO and COO of public and private sector companies across logistics, construction, technology, media and private equity. He has also worked in the not-for-profit sector - as the inaugural and current Chair of Amy’s Foundation and Group CEO of the Noel Pearson founded Cape York Partnership.

A passionate cyclist who has raced bikes all his life, Duncan is the former Chair of Cycling Australia and the inaugural Chairman of AusCycling.

Jay Doherty

Chief Financial Officer

Jay's role at BESEN includes oversight of financial strategy planning, risk analysis, governance, financial reporting and process improvement.

Known for his skills as a negotiator in complex business deals, for assessing and managing risk, and as a leader of tight knit and high performing teams, Jay has previously held CFO and COO positions with the Bangarra and Burnham Groups.

For many years, Jay was the voluntary Director and Treasurer of Rainbows for Children Australia, which fosters emotional healing among children and young people who have experienced life-altering loss. He also sits on the Board of the Mentone Girls' Grammar School, chairing its Finance and Audit committee.

Simeon Goldenberg

Executive Director - Property Investments

Simeon oversees BESEN's real estate investments. Known for his integrity and strong commercial instincts, Simeon works closely with BESEN's property development partners to support the successful realisation of property projects, providing strategic oversight and the benefit of 25+ years' experience in investment, project finance and real estate.

Prior to joining BESEN, Simeon was Chief Executive of Kajima's Australian real estate investment division. He has also held roles at KPMG Corporate Finance (M&A), Gersh Investment Partners as well as non-executive roles in health, aged care, retirement, affordable housing, education, fintech, sport and construction.

Simeon is first and foremost a family man. He's also a self-proclaimed cricket tragic and a passionate pro bono contributor to the not-for-profit sector. He is currently a Director of Cabrini Health.

Tim Parker

Associate Director

Tim supports BESEN's direct business investments, working alongside founders and management teams to support the growth of portfolio companies as a long-term partner and supportive shareholder.

Tim rejoined BESEN after leading Corporate Development at Cloudbeds, a global hospitality software company headquartered in the USA, where he drove M&A execution, capital planning and strategic initiatives. He first joined the firm in 2018 as an Associate, having previously held M&A advisory and corporate finance roles at Grant Thornton and Flight Centre Travel Group.

Outside of BESEN, Tim advises start-up founders and loves the outdoors, escaping the city with his wife whenever they can to hike and explore.

Jake Hum

Senior Associate

Jake sources and evaluates new investment opportunities and provides ongoing support for a number of BESEN’s portfolio companies.

Jake was previously a management consultant at Partners In Performance advising ASX200 companies on operational improvements, post-merger integration and commercial due diligence. Additionally, Jake gained experience at a high growth start up where he was responsible for evaluating potential investments. Jake holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Computer Science.

Paula Bertoli

Executive Assistant - Founder

Paula is the focal point for matters relating to logistics at BESEN, ensuring the efficient running of the office and assisting Daniel with the array of business, philanthropic, pro bono and personal endeavours that make up his day.

An executive assistant and office manager with 15+ years' experience in Australia and internationally, Paula has worked across a range of industries including Top 20 ASX-listed companies, international law firms and private family offices. Paula's authenticity and professional, personable style are a source of delight for the many people with whom she deals each day, at BESEN and beyond.

Paula is a trained dancer, and can be relied upon to be the first to hit the dance floor when the music starts pumping. She also likes dining out, socialising with friends and reading biographies.

Tiffany Orchard

Executive Assistant - CEO

Tiffany works closely with BESEN's CEO Duncan Murray, managing administrative duties and providing executive support across day-to-day business operations.

A proactive administrative professional with a strong background in office, executive and project administration, Tiffany's career has focussed primarily on delivering high quality customer, colleague and client assistance, whilst working effectively and collaboratively within a team environment. Prior to joining BESEN, Tiffany held roles in a variety of industries including retail, hospitality, construction and most recently, the not-for-profit sector.

Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys functional training, creating in the kitchen and exploring the great outdoors.

Henry Lanzer AM

Henry is Managing Partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler, where he is responsible for the firm's overall management and strategic directions. Henry specialises in corporate law - including all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, joint ventures and ASX listings.

Highly regarded for his strategic and advisory skills, Henry has been a non-executive director of Premier Investments and The Just Group since 2008, and of Thorney Opportunities since 2013.

In 2015 Henry was awarded an Order of Australia for significant community service. He is Life Governor of Mount Scopus College Council, President of its Foundation and was a member of the Board of TarraWarra Museum of Art.

Dennis Broit

Dennis' experience in property development dates from 1969, with specific and considerable expertise in financing and structuring property development projects.

Dennis began his career in accountancy and later worked as a private consultant where he managed Mirvac Group's successful IPO in 1987. He stayed on as Finance Director until 2005, during which time the company's worth grew from $100million to $3.5billion. Dennis has been a director of numerous private property companies, including GPT Funds Management, St Hilliers and Retirement Villages Group.

Dennis brings to BESEN a refreshing mix of directness and diplomacy, a highly numerate mind, and wisdom borne of long experience.

Darren Steinberg

BEc, FAICD, FRICS, FAPI

Darren has over thirty years' experience in the property and funds management industry with an extensive background in property investment and development. He has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australia.

Darren is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the Australian Property Institute. He is a Life Member and former National President of the Property Council of Australia. Darren was Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Dexus Funds Management Limited from 2012 to 2024. He is Chair of IFM Real Estate Investment Committee and a Member of IFM Investment Committee, a Non-Executive Director of Sydney Swans Limited, Non-Executive Director of Qualitas Limited and Advisor to the BESEN Family Office.