Michael Oates joined Bastion as General Manager in July 2005. Michael is responsible for the day to day operations of Bastion and reports to the Directors.

Michael has over thirty five years superannuation industry experience and a blend of self managed superannuation, corporate superannuation and financial planning skills including:

• five years (1996-2001) successfully managing the self managed superannuation fund administration and consultancy business of one of the predecessor businesses that was part of the joint venture to form Bastion; and
• nearly four years with Mercer Australia and over nine years with Towers Perrin, both international Employee Benefit Consultancies and administrators of a significant number of Australia's corporate superannuation funds.

His tertiary qualifications include a Bachelor of Business - Accountancy, a Diploma of Superannuation Management and a Diploma of Financial Planning. Michael is a Certified Practising Accountant SMSF Specialist and also a Certified Financial Planner™.

A Chartered Accountant specialising in superannuation administration, advice and investment strategies for over thirty years, Ian began his career working for a large national chartered accountant firm, and later became Director of their separate financial services company, providing superannuation and investment advice.

In 1993, Ian joined Ellwood Barry McPherson as Director, and is now Director of his own financial planning practice, Davidson Financial Group.

Ian has lectured extensively on superannuation and financial planning for a number of financial institutions, and has been an active member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Committee for Continued Education.

A Certified Financial Planner™ and Chartered Accountant (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA) - Financial Planning Specialist), he holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, and was recipient of the State Corrs Westgarth Prize for Securities Industry Law.

Chris joined the Chartered Accounting firm of Bennett Partners (now SBB Partners) in 1991 and became a Partner in 1997.

He holds a Bachelor of Business and is a Chartered Accountant.  Chris is also a registered company auditor and approved SMSF auditor.

Chris has vast experience in taxation and accounting matters for small to medium sized businesses and has a particular interest in practice management and client workflow procedures.  He has specialist knowledge in self managed superannuation funds and is currently responsible for the audits of over 600 self managed superannuation funds.

Chris also has over twenty years experience in self managed superannuation fund administration.