HLB Mann Judd Appointed Four New Directors
The accounting and advisory network has expanded its leadership team across Australia and New Zealand.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in People
HLB Mann Judd has appointed four new directors to support its focus on technical capability and client service. The new leadership team includes three internal promotions and one external hire from EY.
Why it matters
The firm seeks to bolster its technical expertise and client service capabilities to drive sustainable growth. This leadership expansion follows a strategy of developing internal talent while integrating specialized external experience.
The firm appointed four new directors, including three internal promotions and one external hire. The broader HLB Mann Judd network currently encompasses nine independent member firms operating across Australia and New Zealand.
The players
HLB Mann Judd
This is a network of nine independent accounting and advisory firms operating throughout Australia and New Zealand.
EY
This is a global professional services firm that provides assurance, tax, consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients.
David Ravida
He is one of the four newly appointed directors who has been with the organization since 2016.
Hannah Waller
She is a newly appointed director who brings 19 years of professional experience to the firm.
Gaurav Vasnani
He is an external recruit joining the leadership team after previously working at the global services firm EY.
The details
The new directors include David Ravida, Tom Peskett, Hannah Waller, and Gaurav Vasnani, with appointments distributed across firm offices in Melbourne and Adelaide. Three of the appointees were promoted from departments including business advisory, wealth management, and corporate tax, while Vasnani joined the network from EY.
Timeline
David Ravida began his tenure at the firm in 2016.
Tom Peskett joined the business in 2021.
Hannah Waller joined the firm in 2023.
The new directors were appointed in September 2026.
Market Landscape
This move aligns with the Australian accounting industry's focus on talent retention and internal succession planning. The firm is positioning itself to compete against larger global networks by balancing internal mentorship with specialized external recruitment.
Clients of the firm may experience enhanced specialized service delivery as a result of the expanded leadership roles in corporate tax and advisory departments. The appointments reflect an effort to maintain service continuity and technical depth for existing business advisory and wealth management portfolios.
The takeaway
Firms often leverage a mix of internal promotions and strategic external hires to balance cultural continuity with fresh expertise. Readers should note that such organizational changes are typically designed to stabilize long-term client service and improve technical capacity.
Further reading
For more information on industry leadership shifts, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Financial Standard.
