ABOUT US
'Hands-on' Directors, highly skilled team
About Southgate Partners
Southgate Partners was founded in 2020 by Chris Taylor and Ed Rice, who both held senior roles in PwC's Mergers & Acquisitions team. Their goal was to bring the best-in-class methodologies, rigour and discipline of larger firms to privately owned businesses in the $10 million to $100 million segment. The team remains deliberately small—Chris and Ed are directly involved in every engagement, day to day, supported by a group of skilled advisory professionals.
Southgate Partners is fully accredited under Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) number 538392.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chris Taylor
Director & Co-Founder
Chris works with business owners and management teams navigating a sale, partial exit, or strategic investment, drawing on 18 years of corporate advisory experience. Before co-founding Southgate Partners, he spent 13 years at PwC, where he held the role of Director within the Mergers & Acquisitions team. Chris has worked on a variety of transaction types including business sales, corporate divestments, acquisitions, IPOs, and valuation assessments. Chris has well-developed networks across the business buyer, private equity and advisor communities.
Away from Southgate, Chris enjoys keeping active—with a keen interest in running, gym, golf and socialising with friends.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours) / Bachelor of Economics, Monash University
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program, Levels I & II
- AFS Licence Responsible Manager
Ed Rice
Director & Co-Founder
Ed has 17 years of experience across M&A advisory and industry, working with business owners and management teams to plan and execute transactions. His career spans M&A advisory roles at PwC and Macquarie Bank, as well as operational experience within a high growth automotive business. Prior to co-founding Southgate Partners, Ed held the position of Associate Director within PwC's Mergers & Acquisitions team. He has worked on a variety of transaction types across many sectors.
Outside of work, Ed enjoys fitness and sports challenges, with recent highlights including running the New York Marathon—combining his interests in fitness and travel.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Commerce, University of Melbourne
- Kaplan Professional, Mergers & Acquisitions subject
- AFS Licence Responsible Manager
