Theo Sathananthan
I began my career as an undergraduate with Pitchers’ predecessor firm, KPMG Peat Marwick Hungerfords in December 1987 during my “sandwich year” at RMIT, working in the PBS Group 2 – Audit, Accounting and Tax. I was originally based in Nauru House, before the firm relocated to 161 Collins Street. My primary motivation was to become a Chartered Accountant and to develop a deep understanding of accounting, finance and the key drivers of successful businesses.
After returning to RMIT to complete my final year, I was fortunate to be offered a permanent role. During this time, I had the privilege of working with an outstanding group of people led by partners Terry Benfold, Don Rankin, Peter Riley and Sid Catlin, and managers Damian Connellan, Paul Dillon, Kaye Kidd and Barbara Holland. I was part of a wonderful team, (Peter Jose, Alex Cocchiara, & Gerard Savage) and far too many more to name individually. Their guidance inspired me to always go the extra mile. Reflecting on my professional highlights, working with Terry and Peter on Sonic Technologies Ltd (when it was a client) stands out as a particularly memorable experience.
Many of these relationships have endured well beyond our time at the firm. A number of my Pitcher Partners colleagues have become lifelong friends for my wife Carolyn and me, particularly Paul and Lauren Toner, Peter and Michelle Jose, Gerard and Barb Savage, the Burges, Cocchiara’s, Wenlock’s, and Laing’s
In November 1991, I was very fortunate to be one of 160+ staff and 14 partners who left KPMG to form Pitcher Partners. I spent a total of five and a half years with Pitchers and its predecessor firms. The technical expertise, business skills and professional values I developed there were truly foundational and have shaped the mindset and structure of my entire career in industry. I left Pitcher Partners in June 1993.
In March 2025, I was headhunted from T2 to join Carman’s Fine Foods as Chief Financial Officer – one of Australia’s most successful and recognisable privately owned food brands. I now have the privilege of working closely with founder Carolyn Creswell and an inspirational executive leadership team led by Lainie Tayler.
Across a 38+ year career, I have spent more than 20 years as a CFO and COO, progressing through roles in manufacturing (Amcor), a US technology company (Tandem Computers), and various Australian and internationally owned retail businesses, including Freedom Furniture, The Reject Shop, Jag/Adelle Palmer and T2 (previously owned by Unilever before being sold to CVC Capital as part of the Lipton Group).
I also spent 17 years with the iconic Australian brand Lonely Planet, founded by Tony and Maureen Wheeler, as Group Financial Controller, CFO and COO, managing teams and offices across six countries.
While the past two decades have required leading large, cross-functional and geographically diverse teams across multiple disciplines, I have consistently relied on the strong Chartered Accountant training and technical foundations I gained at Pitcher Partners. Beyond my technical skillset, one of the greatest benefits of my career with Pitchers has been the lasting friendships. We’ve shared engagements, marriages, the births of our children, becoming grandparents (for some of us!), and are now — eventually – starting to think about retirement. This close circle of friends has always been there for Carolyn and I.
Looking to the future – professionally I still have plenty of petrol in the tank and look forward to continuing as a CFO and senior business leader, helping drive value for everyone associated with Carman’s, even as age slowly starts to catch up with me!
Personally, my wife and I are incredibly fortunate to have two beautiful grandchildren, and we love spending time with them. Alongside that, we enjoy travel, friendships, and – eventually – looking forward to retirement.