Melbourne-based Morrows promotes Kellie Stark to executive director

28 January 2025 Consultancy.com.au

Melbourne-based accounting and advisory firm Morrows has promoted Kellie Stark to executive director, as now one of seven senior professionals sitting below the management director team.

Stark joined Morrows as a senior business & tax advisor in 2015, after a decade between Hannah Direct and accounting boutiques Bell and 360 Partners, and jumps to executive director level after being promoted to principal at the end of 2023.

Currently based out of its Southbank office in Melbourne, Morrows is a member of the MSI Global Alliance and boasts a 65-year legacy, with a team of approximately 100 professionals serving clients on their tax and business advisory needs.

“We are dedicated to ensuring our business evolves to meet the needs of future generations,” stated Morrows managing director Graeme Marks. “Kellie’s appointment reflects that commitment. She embodies the values of our firm, and her passion for advisory and ability to foster meaningful relationships positions her to lead us into the next chapter as a key member of our executive team.”

Stark’s promotion to executive director is in line with Morrows’ recent leadership transition, which after having been originally established in 1959 last year saw six of its professionals – Adrian Fong, Archie Lygris, Chris Molloy, Kirsty McCormack, Kyle Brumley, and Lisa Wilson – also take the next step up, supporting Marks and fellow management execs Laurel Moulynox and Neil Yeoman.

Moulynox, who started out at Morrows as a graduate accountant more than three decades ago and is now recognised by Barron’s as among Australia’s top five dozen leading private financial advisors, said of Stark; “Kellie’s appointment strengthens our internal leadership and capacity to mentor emerging talent. It’s exciting to welcome another strong female leader to the executive team.”

Since joining from her CFO role at marketing & sales company Hannah Direct in 2015, Stark is credited with having helped drive the success of Morrow’s business and tax advisory division, through which she provides clients with advisory services on strategic planning, corporate structuring, asset protection, performance improvement, and taxation consulting.

“Becoming an executive director has always been an aspiration, and I’m proud to achieve this with a firm that truly aligns with my values,” Stark said of her appointment. “I look forward to working alongside the executive team to drive Morrows’ vision forward and make a positive difference for our clients by helping them achieve their goals and secure their financial futures.”

Leadership succession plan

Morrows sits just outside the top 50 accounting and consulting organisations of its kind in Australia, according to the annual list compiled by the AFR, generating annual revenues a shade over $18.5 million. The firm provides a range of services grouped around tax, SMFS and business advisory, accounting, legal, and wealth management to organisations and individuals in the mid-market.

Speaking on the firm’s broader leadership succession plan over the past year, Yeoman stated: “Myself and the other two managing directors, Laurel and Graeme, thought that we really needed to bring in some newer, younger people to keep us going into the future. We have a responsibility to our founders, clients and people to continue growing and driving our business forward.”