Non-Executive Director

Vernon
Powell

CA  ·  GAICD  ·  Former Deloitte Partner

Strategic adviser and board director with 30+ years driving transformational growth, leading complex M&A programs, and delivering governance excellence across multiple industries.

30+
Years Experience
$920M
Exit Valuation
50+
M&A Deals
154×
PE Return
Vernon Powell — Non-Executive Director
Vernon Powell
30+ Years of Leadership

A Board Director who creates value

Vernon Powell is a commercially astute Non-Executive Director and strategic adviser with a 30-year track record of delivering transformational profit growth, executing complex transactions, and guiding organisations through change across multiple sectors.

As a former Deloitte Partner and co-founder of the Lomond Group — scaled to a $920M exit valuation — Vernon brings deep operational insight to every boardroom engagement. He bridges strategy and execution, providing the rigour, challenge, and mentorship that boards need to perform at their best.

Vernon is particularly skilled in data-driven governance, championing Power BI analytics, AI use-case frameworks, and bespoke management information systems at board level to enable sharper, faster decision-making.

CA — Chartered Accountant
GAICD — Governance Institute
Former Deloitte Partner
Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
What Vernon Brings

Board-Ready Capabilities

⚖️

Governance & Oversight

GAICD-credentialled with proven experience providing independent challenge and strategic oversight, including during safe harbour and regulatory transition periods.

📈

Value Creation

Engineered profit growth from $8M to $90M through strategic margin enhancement. Delivered 154× return on private equity investment. Co-founded a business scaled to a $920M exit.

🔄

M&A & Transformation

Directed 50+ acquisitions, mergers, and disposals. Expert in integration, capital structuring, and unlocking synergies across diverse industries and geographies.

📊

Data-Driven Boards

Designed enterprise Power BI solutions, bespoke MIS platforms, and AI frameworks that translate real-time data into strategic board-level decisions.

🏗️

Interim Executive Leadership

Proven track record as interim CEO, CFO, and COO — stepping in with speed and credibility to stabilise, restructure, and prepare organisations for growth.

🌐

Cross-Sector Perspective

Deep experience across insurance, property, healthcare, disability care, mining, private equity, and technology — bringing patterns and best practice across boundaries.

Board Roles

Non-Executive Director Experience

May 2018 – Present
Animal Emergency Australia
Veterinary Services · $80M · 800+ Staff · 12 Locations
Non-Executive Director

Initially engaged as a corporate adviser, formally appointed to the Board in March 2023 following a major amalgamation. Contributing to national growth through strategic expansion, digital transformation, and data-driven governance.

  • Led acquisition and integration of clinics in Hobart, Bangalow, and Canberra
  • Supported greenfield start-ups in Perth and Melbourne
  • Championed Power BI analytics providing real-time performance visibility across all sites
  • Partnered with the executive team on growth frameworks and sustainable profitability
April 2020 – Present
Holistic Horizons Support Services
Disability & Aged Care (NDIS) · $13M · 160+ Staff
Non-Executive Director (also served as CEO Nov 2021 – Jun 2024)

Joined as strategic adviser, stepped into an interim CEO role to guide rapid expansion, then transitioned to non-executive following NFP conversion in February 2025.

  • Tripled revenue from $5M to $13M through targeted growth planning
  • Led organisational restructuring and built a high-performing management team
  • Ensured compliance and scalability under NDIS frameworks
  • Prepared the business for strategic sale and not-for-profit transition
Oct 2015 – Oct 2019
Corporate Protection Australia
Mining & Industrial Services · $45M · 500+ Staff
Non-Executive Director

Served on the board of a market leader in integrated security, fire & rescue, medical, and training services to the mining, oil & gas, aviation, and maritime sectors.

  • Guided successful tenders for multi-million-dollar mining and energy contracts
  • Introduced margin-based business planning, improving profitability across contracts
  • Launched key account management program strengthening B2B retention
  • Provided governance leadership during safe harbour protection
2010 – 2014
PHD Private Equity
Private Equity · Warrington, UK
Investment Committee Member

Member of the inaugural investment committee of a boutique PE fund, providing governance and investment oversight across the full portfolio lifecycle.

  • Evaluated and approved capital investments aligned with fund strategy
  • Monitored portfolio performance with disciplined risk management
  • Advised on strategic exits and reinvestment decisions
Executive & Founding Career

Built Businesses from the Ground Up

2009 – 2014
Lomond Group
Property Management · Edinburgh, UK · $920M Exit
Co-Founder & Group Finance Director

Co-founded and built Lomond Group into one of the UK's leading property management consolidators — from start-up to 1,900 employees and 50,000+ properties under management at exit.

  • Executed 50+ acquisitions and mergers to achieve national scale
  • Structured equity, debt, and mezzanine funding rounds to support aggressive growth
  • Implemented financial governance frameworks and IT infrastructure for seamless integration
  • Delivered a landmark exit valuation of $920M, establishing Lomond as a UK market leader
2004 – 2009
Paymentshield Holdings
Insurance · Southport, UK · 750,000 Policyholders
Group Finance Director (CFO)

Appointed following a £36M management buy-in backed by private equity. Redesigned the profitability architecture of one of the UK's largest mortgage protection insurers.

  • Grew annual profits from £4M to £45M through pricing and supply chain analysis
  • Developed a comprehensive MIS enabling granular profitability tracking by policy class
  • Led successful PE exit achieving a 154× return on investment
Core Expertise

What Vernon Does Best

Corporate Governance & Board Advisory
Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestments
Business Transformation & Growth Strategy
Financial Management & Value Optimisation
Data Analytics & Business Intelligence (Power BI)
Risk Management & Regulatory Oversight
Leadership in Change & Turnaround
Strategic Planning & Performance Improvement
Stakeholder Engagement & Investor Relations
Digital Strategy & Operational Innovation
Industry Experience

Breadth Across Sectors

Vernon has served in board and executive roles across a wide range of industries, applying consistent commercial rigour and governance discipline in every context.

Insurance & Financial Services
Property & Real Estate
Veterinary & Healthcare
Disability & Aged Care (NDIS)
Mining & Industrial Services
Private Equity
Technology & Software
Not-for-Profit
Professional Services
Logistics
Connect

Ready to strengthen
your board?

Vernon is available for Non-Executive Director appointments, advisory board engagements, and strategic advisory mandates. Based in Brisbane, QLD, with national and international experience.