2026/27 ARITA Board announcement

13/05/2026

ARITA is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Hunter RITF to the Board following its recent Annual General Meeting in Sydney.

 

With Melissa Jeremiah transitioning to the role of ARITA Professional Practice Director earlier this year, Adrian joins the Board as the Vic/Tas representative.

A Partner at RSM Australia, Adrian has more than three decades of experience in the profession, having previously held positions at Brooke Bird, Deloitte, PPB Advisory and Ferrier Hodgson. He specialises in corporate reorganisation and insolvency advice, with particular expertise in managing businesses in formal insolvency, working capital and cash flow management, and business restructuring.

Adrian said his longstanding experience across the profession would help him bring a practical and commercially grounded outlook to the role.

“I’m pleased to join the ARITA Board as the Vic/Tas representative and contribute a perspective gained from more than 30 years working across restructuring, insolvency and turnaround. Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with businesses, lenders and advisors, and I look forward to bringing that experience to Board discussions,” he said.

“It’s important that the perspectives and experiences of practitioners in Victoria and Tasmania are strongly represented at a national level. I’m eager to engage with members across the division and ensure their views and challenges continue to inform ARITA’s direction and advocacy.”

Elsewhere, Chris Pearce RITP, Managing Partner of Blackwall Legal, moved from a 20-3 appointee to become the WA Division Representative, with Matthew Donnelly RITF subsequently vacating his position. ARITA acknowledges and thanks both Matthew and Melissa for their dedication and contributions as departing Board members.

 

2026/27 ARITA Board

Executive:

  • Mike Hayes RITF, Keypoint Law – President
  • Kathy Sozou RITF, McGrathNicol – Deputy President
  • Danielle Funston RITF, Maddocks – Vice President
  • Bruce Gleeson RITF, Jones Partners – Vice President
  • John Melluish RITF, ARITA – CEO and Company Secretary

 

Directors:

  • Michael Fingland RITF, Vantage Performance
  • Adrian Hunter RITF, RSM Australia – Vic/Tas Representative
  • Neil McLean RITP, Rodgers Reidy
  • Chris Pearce RITP, Blackwall Legal – WA Representative
  • Phil Quinlan RITF, KPMG – NSW/ACT Representative
  • Natasha Riach RITF, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers – SA/NT Representative
  • Kelly Trenfield RITF, FTI Consulting – Qld Representative
  • Rachel Burdett RITF, Cor Cordis – Immediate Past President (non-voting)
  • Robyn Erskine RITF, INSOL Representative (non-voting)