Bill Cook

William Batters

Bill Cook is the third generation of his family to be involved in the family business – William Batters, a real estate agent located in South Yarra, Melbourne.

Like many successful business owners, Bill is constantly facing the challenge of integrating his decisions around business and personal finances. Another layer was added to that set of challenges as he looked to protect the legacy of his business, provide for his children and secure his own future.

For help, he turned to Fordham Partner Richard van der Merwe. Richard has worked with the Cook family for over 15 years. In fact, the Fordham / Cook relationship is even deeper, spanning some 60 years – Bill having also worked in the Fordham office during his high school years.

The successful solution to Bill’s challenge turned out to be the Fordham Family Office service, a powerful and integrated suite of services offered by Fordham and Perpetual, with a trusted adviser sitting in the middle.

"It’s a long relationship, and there’s loyalty on both sides. But now, to have the mix of business and wealth advice in the same place, well, it’s been invaluable."

- Bill Cook

Contact Partner

Richard van der Merwe

BBus, FCA, FBA, Specialist Accredited Adviser

Senior Partner

03 9611 6066

Contact me

Richard van der Merwe

BBus, FCA, FBA, Specialist Accredited Adviser Senior Partner

Phone 03 9611 6066

Email Contact me

Bio

Richard commenced with Fordham in 1984 as a graduate and progressed to partner level in 1997. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As a Specialist Accredited Advisor with Family Business Association, Richard has a deep understanding of family and business dynamics, succession planning and inter-generational wealth planning. Richard brings a unique perspective to family shareholder issues, succession planning, family office and governance. This includes valuations and transactions involving extraction of wealth from complex structures whether it is through succession, management buy-in, trade sale or corporate listing. He has been advising some client family groups for three and four generations.

Richard sits on the Finance Council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, it’s Investment Sub Committee and the Priests Retirement Foundation of the Archdiocese. He is Chair of his family’s Private Ancillary Fund, has previously sat on the Clark Rubber Franchising Advisory board and been Deputy Chair of a public offer superannuation fund.

Industry specialisation: Private businesses, their owners and wealthy families

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