Geoff Thomas is an Investment Manager and a member of the Paspalis Innovation Investment Fund (PIIF) Investment Committee

Geoff is a Responsible Manager under our companies Australian Financial Services License and has had a trusted relationship with the Paspalis Corporation for over 20 years.   Geoff brings to our Investment Committee a great depth of experience in the management of start-ups, early expansion investment funds, venture capital, private equity as well as mergers and acquisitions.

In his role as Investment Manager for PIIF, Geoff brings significant value throughout the full deal management process from due diligence, negotiation, and document preparation through to post investment management of our deal portfolio.  When combined with his previous experience as Managing Director of Paragon Private Equity, Geoff has both contributed to and led the acquisition of, or investment in over 16 companies as well as multiple divestments to both listed and private companies.

Geoff’s career began in the Defence industry in Australia where he was Director of Operations for Vision Defence, a Top 10 Defence company in Australia, which concentrated on electronic warfare and spatial databases.  In his Defence industry career he has worked for periods in the USA, the UK, France and Israel.  He joined Vision Defence as one of five professional staff.  After 30% CAGR over 13 years, it was sold to Tenix Defence Systems for $74 million, with a $90 million order book, and 180 staff, most of whom reported through him.

Geoff is Chair of the Thylation group, which protects native mammals through the supply of high technology feral cat traps.  He is a former director of listed companies Invitrocue (ASX : IVQ) and BresaGen (ASX: BGN), and many private companies.

Geoff has been a State Councillor of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in South Australia and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  He has a Masters in Business Administration, First Class Honours in Electronics Engineering, and a Bachelor’s Degree in information technology.