August 24, 2025

Fancourt Capital Group and Wingate bankrolls start-up lender Kashcade

Leave a Comment / News / By Nati Meltzer

By Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport – The Australian Financial Review Sydney’s Kashcade, a three-year-old business that lends to start-ups, has secured Wingate as an investor for a new $50 million warehouse facility that will help it double its active loan book by Christmas. Wingate is leading the senior tranche of Kashcade’s new […]

Fancourt Capital Group and Wingate bankrolls start-up lender Kashcade Read More »

About Us

Fancourt Capital Group (FCG) is a high conviction investment firm with a long-term ownership mindset, dedicated to building outstanding financial services businesses.

We partner with entrepreneurial founders and management teams to build financial services platforms where we are able to contribute significant value, leveraging our extensive track record, strategic growth expertise and access to long-term, patient and flexible capital.

FCG, named after the brother of Charles Orde Wingate, builds on Wingate’s history in sponsoring and incubating financial services businesses and fund managers over two decades. Companies incubated under this strategy currently manage in excess of $10bn of assets.

FCG is committed to the key tenets of partnership, patience, deep knowledge, alignment and risk mitigation.

Our Key Tenets – The Fancourt Way

Partnership

We are driven by long-term, trusted relationships. We feel a deep sense of personal responsibility and pride in the performance of our investments.

Patience

Building a community of co-investors requires consistent performance, trusted relationships and a commitment to core values. There is no shortcut to building a multi-decade track record.

Knowledge

Deep domain knowledge underpins our investment approach. We have a deep understanding of market cycles and employ effective systems and processes to actively manage risk.

Alignment

We believe deeply in the importance of alignment of interests between our shareholders, management teams and co-investors.

Risk Mitigation

We start with a risk assessment and do not proceed if we cannot gain comfort. We strive to identify and understand all risk and then take active steps to reduce it. Only then do we focus on returns.

Partnership

We are driven by long-term, trusted relationships. We feel a deep sense of personal responsibility and pride in the performance of our investments.

Patience

Building a community of co-investors requires consistent performance, trusted relationships and a commitment to core values. There is no shortcut to building a multi-decade track record.

Knowledge

Deep domain knowledge underpins our investment approach. We have a deep understanding of market cycles and employ effective systems and processes to actively manage risk.

Alignment

We believe deeply in the importance of alignment of interests between our shareholders, management teams and co-investors.

Risk Mitigation

We start with a risk assessment and do not proceed if we cannot gain comfort. We strive to identify and understand all risk and then take active steps to reduce it. Only then do we focus on returns.

Our Team

Farrel Meltzer
Chairman

Farrel Meltzer founded Wingate and Wingate Capital, the predecessor of Fancourt in 2004 after a career as an investment banker, including positions as head of ANZ Private Bank and Group Managing Director of Investec Bank (Australia) Ltd.

Recognised as one of Australia’s outstanding specialised financial service innovators and business builders, Farrel’s experience spans property investment & financing, corporate & consumer finance, private credit, private equity and listed equities.

Farrel serves on several boards, investment & risk management committees. He is a board member of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Chairman of Straight Bat Private Equity and an advisor to and confidant of many of Australia’s substantial private investment groups and families. He credits Wingate/Fancourt Capital Group’s success to it having been guided by a measured approach to risk and a deep sense of responsibility to co-investors, partners and clients.

Yoni Cukierman
CEO

Yoni led Wingate’s principal investment and growth equity activities for a number of years prior to his appointment as CEO of FCG.

He brings 12+ years of experience across private equity, M&A, financing, strategy and capital markets. Yoni previously held roles in Credit Suisse’s investment banking group and subsequently held leadership positions at Toll Group, both in Australia and Singapore. He has experience across c. $10 billion of M&A, IPO and leveraged finance transactions and strategic situations in both private equity and corporate contexts.

Yoni is a Board Director of FCG’s portfolio companies including ORDE Financial, Talaria Asset Management, the Fancourt Specialised Finance Fund and Fifo Capital, among other board positions.

Yoni previously completed an MBA with IE Business School, where he was President of the Private Equity & Venture Capital Club and graduated with Dean’s List honours.

Ian Ludski
Finance Director

Ian has more than a decade of finance and accounting experience, including leadership roles at Fawkner Property, a property syndication group. Previously, he held positions in the Business Advisory and Assurance division at Pitcher Partners.

Ian is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Law with Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce.

Ian is actively involved in community engagement, currently serving as the Treasurer of Leibler Yavneh College. Ian formerly served on the Board of Young UIA and as President of the Maccabi Ajax Cricket Club.

Adele Sung
Associate Director

Adele is an Associate Director in FCG’s investment team. Adele has 9+ years’ experience across investment banking, growth equity, and venture capital, both in London and Australia. Adele previously held roles in Citigroup’s investment banking group and the Business Growth Fund in the UK.

Adele has an MBA from London Business School as well as a BA in Neuroscience and Behaviour from Columbia University.

Brittany Baddeley
Executive Assistant

Brittany Baddeley is an Executive Assistant at FCG.

She has over 10 years of experience across the medical, commercial property and investment sectors.

Board & Advisors

Franco Dogliotti
Non-Executive Director

Through the course of his career, Franco initiated and advised on transactions valued at many billions of dollars in corporate finance, M&A and capital markets.

Franco is a trusted advisor to large family groups and oversaw the development of Wingate’s corporate development, financing and capital management activities. He was previously a Partner at PwC for 18 years and a key member of its Corporate Finance leadership team.

Franco is on the Board of FCG, holding key roles in its investment, risk and governance activities. Franco works with Farrel, Yoni and the FCG team to guide the development and growth of FCG

Antony Cohen
Non-Executive Director

Antony is a highly recognised corporate finance leader with 32 years’ of experience.

During his 28 years at KPMG, he held leadership positions as a Partner including Head of Valuations, Head of M&A, Head of Industry Restructuring & Privatisation, Head of Energy & Natural Resources and a member of the Board.

He was formerly CEO of Better Place Australia, an electric vehicle recharge network operator, having previously been its CFO.

Antony has played a major role in Wingate’s investment and governance activities, having served as a member of its Board as well as key investment and trustee committees.

He maintains deep philanthropic involvements including Chairman of AUSiMED, Council member and former Treasurer of Bialik College, Council member of Questacon, former Member of the Solar Flagships Council and former Director of the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce.

"We are driven by long-term, trusted partnerships with entrepreneurial founders and management teams"

Rob Bazzani
ORDE Financial, Chair & Advisor

Rob was appointed as Independent Chairman of ORDE Financial in February 2021.

He was formerly a top-level Partner with global consulting firm KPMG, where he served in multiple leadership roles including as a member of KPMG’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which oversaw and was responsible for the firm’s turnover, strategic decision making, profitability and operations.

Rob has significant hands-on experience in running and growing large scale and complex businesses, and is skilled in business strategy and management, governance, accounting, and law. He has worked extensively in corporate finance and advisory roles across a range of industries in both Australia and Asia Pacific.

Rob is a board member and/or Chairman on several public and private companies across finance, automotive, global logistics and property. His other current directorships include:

Chairman. Mach7 Technologies (ASX: M7T)

Non-Executive Director. OFX Group Ltd (ASX: OFX)

Chairman. Natrio Asia Pacific Ltd.

Rob holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Science (BSc.) from Monash University.

Richard Blumberg
Advisor

Richard Blumberg is a seasoned financial services executive with over 25 years of experience across credit markets, structured debt, consumer lending, and private equity.

His career has included senior roles in Australia and internationally, where he built a strong track record in successfully establishing and growing financial services businesses.

Richard, a former Wingate senior executive, is the co-founder with Wingate and Executive Chairman of NOW Finance, a business he has led for more than 13 years.

Under his leadership, NOW Finance has grown into a leading non-bank lender in the Australian consumer credit market, known for its disciplined approach to credit, customer-centric products, and consistent growth.

Larry Rudman
Investment Committee Chair

Larry has over 20 years’ of experience in finance, operations, technology and business strategy. He is the founder of Lincoln Ruby, a specialist consultancy.

He was previously COO and MD, Systems &Technology at Wingate, CFO at HBF Insurance and CFO and Deputy CEO at GESB Superannuation Fund.

Larry has previously served on several credit and investments committees. Larry has a Master in Applied Finance and is a Fellow of both the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Our Portfolio

Growing, innovative provider of residential and commercial mortgages, with $3.7bn of AUM

Backing a highly experienced, proven management team led by Paul Wells and Ryan Harkness. Majority-owned by FCG, alongside management

A global equities fund manager, with $2.6bn of AUM, oriented to consistent income generation over the long-term

Partnering with highly respected equities investors in Jamie Mead, Chad Padowitz and Hugh Selby-Smith in a minority position following a management buy-out in 2018

A leading automotive and consumer non-bank lender, with $1.4bn of AUM

FCG has a retained holding following a demerger in 2017 and maintains an ongoing investment relationship, including through FSFF

Growing, innovative provider of residential and commercial mortgages, with $3.7bn of AUM

Backing a highly experienced, proven management team led by Paul Wells and Ryan Harkness. Majority-owned by FCG, alongside management

A global equities fund manager, with $2.6bn of AUM, oriented to consistent income generation over the long-term

Partnering with highly respected equities investors in Jamie Mead, Chad Padowitz and Hugh Selby-Smith in a minority position following a management buy-out in 2018

A leading automotive and consumer non-bank lender, with $1.4bn of AUM

FCG has a retained holding following a demerger in 2017 and maintains an ongoing investment relationship, including through FSFF

A working capital non-bank lender in incubation mode

Acquired a majority shareholding in 2021 and currently capitalising on a sizeable market opportunity in SME financing

Fancourt Specialised Finance Fund

A specialist fund manager focused on asset-backed notes and structured credit investments in financial services businesses in Australia and New Zealand

A working capital non-bank lender in incubation mode

Acquired a majority shareholding in 2021 and currently capitalising on a sizeable market opportunity in SME financing

Fancourt Specialised Finance Fund

A specialist fund manager focused on asset-backed notes and structured credit investments in financial services businesses in Australia and New Zealand

Fancourt Specialised Finance Fund Profiled in Australian Financial Review

September 22, 2025

Fancourt Capital Group and Wingate bankrolls start-up lender Kashcade

August 24, 2025

Fancourt Partners with QuickFee

July 29, 2025

Fancourt Capital Group Featured in Mergermarket

July 16, 2025

We Build Financial Services Businesses of Enduring Value

Start a Conversation

If you’re a founder, adviser or co-investor, or may know somebody that is, please get in touch with us. We welcome discussion on new investment ideas and opportunities.

August 24, 2025

Fancourt Capital Group and Wingate bankrolls start-up lender Kashcade

About Us

Our Key Tenets – The Fancourt Way

Partnership

Patience

Knowledge

Alignment

Risk Mitigation

Partnership

Patience

Knowledge

Alignment

Risk Mitigation

Our Team

Farrel Meltzer Chairman

Yoni Cukierman CEO

Ian Ludski Finance Director

Adele Sung Associate Director

Brittany Baddeley Executive Assistant

Board & Advisors

Franco Dogliotti Non-Executive Director

Antony Cohen Non-Executive Director

Rob Bazzani ORDE Financial, Chair & Advisor

Richard Blumberg Advisor

Larry Rudman Investment Committee Chair

Our Portfolio

Fancourt Specialised Finance Fund Profiled in Australian Financial Review

Fancourt Capital Group and Wingate bankrolls start-up lender Kashcade

Fancourt Partners with QuickFee

Fancourt Capital Group Featured in Mergermarket

We Build Financial Services Businesses of Enduring Value

Start a Conversation

Farrel Meltzer
Chairman

Yoni Cukierman
CEO

Ian Ludski
Finance Director

Adele Sung
Associate Director

Brittany Baddeley
Executive Assistant

Franco Dogliotti
Non-Executive Director

Antony Cohen
Non-Executive Director

Rob Bazzani
ORDE Financial, Chair & Advisor

Richard Blumberg
Advisor

Larry Rudman
Investment Committee Chair