MezFi welcomes James Hardy to advisory board ahead of fund

MezFi has completed the formation of its advisory board with the appointment of banking and finance specialist James Hardy as it prepares for the closure of Fund 1.

James Hardy brings over 30 years of experience in banking and finance to the MezFi team, having held senior positions at major Australian institutions such as National Australia Bank, Suncorp, and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

His expertise includes a broad range of areas, notably commercial, property and retail banking, as well as finance, positioning him as a notable figure in the sector.

Throughout his career, Hardy has led strategic initiatives and contributed to the growth and development of these organisations, recognised for his analytical skills and deep understanding of complex market dynamics.

Commenting on his new appointment, Hardy said: "MezFi is redefining retail investors' access to mezzanine finance, and I'm eager to contribute to a platform that combines cutting-edge technology with the rigor of established financial practices. I look forward to working with Jerome, Daniel and the rest of the team to deliver exceptional value to our investors."

James Hardy joins Daniel Birner on the MezFi Advisory Board. The Birner name has longstanding recognition in Melbourne's property market, with more than four decades of involvement and a strong reputation in agency practice.

Daniel Birner is an honours graduate from Melbourne University and a licensed estate agent. He continues his family's involvement in property through ongoing development activities.

Birner has been responsible for projects valued at over AUD $250 million. He is recognised for his business acumen, attention to detail and understanding of market trends, which have resulted in positive outcomes for stakeholders.

MezFi Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jerome Dadon commented on the advisory board composition, saying: "Hardy and Birner are two of the most distinguished, experienced, and trusted names in Australian property and finance, and we are delighted to welcome them to the MezFi board as we rapidly approach the closure of Fund 1.

"While MezFi sets out to change the game when it comes to the democratisation of mezzanine finance investments with innovative tech and fresh thinking, it's crucial that we leverage the rigour and diligence associated with traditional finance, which is precisely what the MezFi advisory board has been hand-picked to do."

The first round of fundraising for MezFi Fund 1, which is open to both wholesale and retail investors, is set to close on 30 April. Details regarding the raise will be issued after the closure of the offer period.

Funds raised from MezFi Fund 1 will be held in an escrow account. MezFi's team of finance and property experts will begin considering mortgage investment opportunities in the Australian residential property development sector following the conclusion of the fundraising phase.

MezFi utilises a blockchain-powered platform to facilitate access to mezzanine finance investments for a broader range of investors in Australia, with the goal of making mezzanine finance more accessible beyond traditional channels.

Once the four-month fundraising window for Fund 1 closes or the minimum fund size is reached, MezFi will deploy capital through its network of mezzanine finance deal originators, investing in a series of projects.

Unit holders will have the option to transfer their interests prior to the end of the investment term, pending MezFi's ability to locate alternative investors interested in acquiring additional units.

The fee structure for the fund includes an up-front establishment fee of 0.55% plus GST and an ongoing management fee of 2% per annum plus GST on funds under management. Details of other charges associated with the Fund are outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

MezFi recommends that potential investors review the PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) to assess whether the Fund is suitable for their financial goals and risk tolerance, and suggests that personal financial advice be sought before investing.