citadel's
partners and consultants are highly regarded specialists with strong media and investor relationships. We have an established track record of experience for successfully managing high profile communications for Australia’s largest companies and most complex transactions. Citadel partners include:
Martin Debelle
Martin specialises in corporate issues management, transactions and government and regulatory affairs with 30 years experience in journalism, government and corporate communications. Recent projects include Noble Group's takeover of GCL, the proposed merger of Qantas and British Airways and strategic communications adviser to ASIC. He was lead communications advisor on the Midwest takeover defences, the Airline Partners Australia offer for Qantas, Toll's successful bid for Patrick, Cemex's takeover of Rinker, Alinta's MBO defence, QGC defence and the Dyno Nobel float. In 2008, Martin resigned from Cannings after five years as Managing Director and a partner for ten years. He worked as a long-term strategy and communications advisor to Telstra on regulatory, media and public issues management and on the T1 Telstra privatisation. Martin was principal Media Director to the Fahey Government in NSW (1991-5) and spent 11 years with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a television, radio and New York correspondent.
Peter Brookes
Peter has worked as a media and investor relations consultant advising senior management and public company boards for the past 12 years. Prior to that he worked in the derivatives capital markets in Sydney and as a communications consultant in London. Since becoming a founding Partner of Citadel in 2008 Peter has advised on successful M&A transactions, including Noble Group on its takeover of Gloucester Coal, Archer Capital's takeover of MYOB, and Heinz's takeover of Golden Circle. Over the past 12 months Peter has also been involved in some of the high level fund raising activities of Australia's biggest companies, including providing advice to Tabcorp on the successful launch of its retail Tabcorp Bonds, and providing CEO and Board counsel to OneSteel, APN News & Media, and Transurban, on their recent capital raisings. Previously, Peter was communications adviser on the takeover defences of Symbion Healthcare, Dyno Nobel, APN News and Media, and Sydney Attractions Group, the successful bid for Consolidated Minerals by Palmary Enterprises, Archer Capital's takeover of Rebel Sport, Tabcorp's takeover of NSW TAB, and its bid for Unitab, Transurban's takeover of Hills Motorways and Sydney Roads Group, and Burns Philp's takeover of Goodman Fielder. Peter also provides ongoing media and investor relations advice around financial calendar activity and major announcements. Current and recent clients include Ansell, Tabcorp, APN News & Media, Gloucester Coal, and Noble Group.
Helen McCombie
Helen is a seasoned communications practitioner backed with 25 years of experience in Australian journalism. Recent projects include repositioning Infigen Energy as a leading wind energy generator post its separation from Babcock and Brown, managing communications on the MYOB takeover of Archer, providing strategic and communications advice to ASIC and assisting IFFCO in its AACo board campaign. As a senior consultant at Cannings, Helen advised St.George Bank on its proposed merger with Westpac, Medibank Private on its bid for Australian Health Management, PT Bumi on its takeover offer for Herald Resources, and Sydney Attractions Group on the Village Roadshow takeover. She has provided strategic communications advice to Ansell, Bravura Solutions, Allco Finance Group, Allco Equity Partners, White Energy and daVinci Funds Management. Helen also advised on the successful listing of PrimeAg. As a senior finance and business journalist Helen reported for Channel Nine's Business Sunday, ABC News finance and Lateline Business and Sky News as Business Editor. For the last two decades, Helen has worked on the major business news stories and with leading Australian corporate figures. Helen's long experience in the broadcast media as a reporter and program producer gives her particular understanding about managing the particular approaches and requirements of Australian business television. Helen provides specialised preparation and media training for Directors and senior management ahead of major announcements or public events.