Our People

Robert Costa

Chairman

Co-founder of the Australia’s largest grower and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables, Robert has extensive experience in the commercial aspects of the horticultural industry. Throughout the development years of the Costa Group, Robert managed the Group’s asset base and liquidity. This experience formed a strong knowledge base for his current position as Chairman of Costa Asset Management.

Liza Whitmore

Director/CEO

Liza is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Costa Asset Management and has been leading CAM since 2011. Previously she held a senior management role with the Costa Group having begun working with the Costa Family in 2002.  Liza is responsible for leading the investment strategy, managing the rapid growth of the business and engaging with our partners to achieve the highest results.

Liza also serves as a non-executive director on the boards of CAM’s partner companies and the Anthony Costa Foundation.

Liza is a member of CPA Australia, holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has a Graduate Certificate in Accounting.

Rhonda Arnott

Director/General Counsel

Rhonda joined the Board of Costa Asset Management in 2013, after providing legal advice to the Costa family for the 10 years prior, whilst the commercial partner in charge of corporate advisory and M&A division of B2B Lawyers, a boutique Melbourne legal firm. Rhonda now holds the position of General Counsel to CAM and provides advice in relation to all aspects of CAMs’ business including, loan and security arrangements, investment in joint ventures, divestment of assets including the IPO of Vitalharvest Freehold Trust.

Rhonda is also the Chair of the Anthony Costa Foundation, the family’s private charitable ancillary fund, which aims to make a positive impact in the communities where the Costa family lives and works.

Stuart Costa

Director

Stuart joined the Board of CAM in 2022 following more than 30 years in the horticultural industry with the Costa Group. During this time, Stuart played a role across all facets of the organisation including General Management roles responsible for a number of key vertically integrated produce categories.

Stuart also recently completed approx. 10 years on the Board of Foodbank Victoria, which is the largest provider of food relief to the underprivileged in Victoria.

Gary Meadows

Director

Gary has over 50 years’ experience working in the horticulture and logistics industries. As a teenager, he started working with Costa’s from their humble beginnings as a fruit shop in Geelong. Gary proved a key driver in the expansion of the Company’s operations from that point to the nation-wide network it has become. As General Manager, Gary was responsible for the establishment and subsequent business operations of all the Company’s branches.

In his role as director of CAM Gary brings all his experience to bear to ensure the Group selects the best assets and that they are managed effectively to deliver optimal returns.

David Costa

Director

After completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree David spent five years in the field of accounting and finance. With this grounding David joined the family business and over the following 18 years he assumed a broad range of responsibilities throughout the organisation which ensure him a solid grounding in management and marketing.

One of David’s major achievements was his pivotal role in the development of the truss tomato industry, working from his then base at the Guyra Tomato Glasshouse which is a state of the art facility.

Amanda Costa

Director

Amanda is an entrepreneur who built her own e-commerce business from the ground up and has been managing since inception. Her experience includes accounting, marketing and HR management.

Amanda has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, specialising in Accounting and Commercial Law.

Anton Whitehead

Director

Anton is married with five children and has been a Director at Bell Potter Corporate Finance since 2011. Prior to Bell Potter Corporate Finance, Anton was a founder and major shareholder of Corporate File, an advisory firm sold to Link Market Services, Head of Australian equities at Deutsche Bank (formerly Bain and Co in Australia), Led Bain and Co London office and Finance journalist for “The Australian” newspaper.

John Brazzale

Director

Prior to joining CAM, John held various senior leadership roles at Pitcher Partners serving as the Managing Partner of Pitcher Partners Melbourne until 2017 when he assumed role of National Chairman, a position that he still holds.

John has significant experience in advising both public and private clients on a broad range of commercial and taxation issues arising from structuring, restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions.

John has specific expertise in the property and construction industry. He sits on a number of Advisory Boards where he shares his expertise in business strategy, growth, business succession, estate planning and general commercial and business matters

Sally Campbell

General Manager – Portfolio

Sally Campbell joined CAM in 2022 and is responsible for the management of CAM’s investment portfolio including listed equities, fixed income, private equity, private debt and venture capital. Sally has over 20 years investment experience. Prior to CAM, Sally was an Executive Director at JBWere with responsibility for the research of managed funds, managed accounts, listed investment companies and exchange traded funds across all asset classes, as well as providing asset allocation and portfolio construction advice to advisers and clients.

Sally Campbell is a CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute, completed a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance, along with Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Charles Condro

General Manager - Finance

Charles is a qualified CA who has extensive experience within the Accounting & Finance domain. Knowledge has been gained within the Audit, Business Services, Agriculture and Investment Industries. He joined CAM in November 2012 and is responsible for the CAM Finance Team overseeing the financial administration, reporting and accounting compliance of the business.