About

As the managing director and founder of the Australian Pharmacy Group (AP Group). Rob built the company from start-up, to one of the fastest growing and most innovative B2B companies in the retail pharmacy sector. A business that now includes sales, finance and legal services to Australian pharmacies around Australia.

AP Group is the first member based business of its type in its industry, has grown to over 1400 members in the last 3 years and continues to grow daily.

A focussed team approach to building our business and assisting others to building value in their businesses is one of Robs’ passions and one of the core competencies he brings to his role as Managing Director.

Rob spent the early part of his career in pharmaceuticals at Genepharm which ultimately became Ascent Pharmaceuticals. At Genepharm his contributions were recognised through consistent promotion and moved ultimately to Operations Manager of the Pharmasave Group.

Prior to starting AP Group, Rob was responsible for franchise development at Terry White Management where his responsibilities included the introduction of new brand members, distress management of underperforming members, lease negotiations and growth strategy.

Rob is also the father of a young family. His wife is a pharmacist and an exceptional business woman in her own right.

Despite having a hectic work and family life, Rob is also a keen golfer and member at Huntingdale Golf Club with a handicap of 5.8.

With a career spanning a decade that includes roles in branded OTC products, generic and branded Medicines, brand development, store operations and pharmacy group operations – there are very few people in the industry with such a diverse knowledge of the pharmacy business as Rob.

If you would like any further information or just an opportunity to chat please do not hesitate to contact Rob directly.

Andrew Whelan is the latest addition to the AP Sales team and has unparalleled business management experience across both Australia and the United Kingdom. He is an expert in strategy development, profit and loss, financial management, cost analysis and forecasting.

Having spent the last ten years working in the Telecommunications and Media Industry, Andrew has held a variety of senior management roles at both Telstra Corporation and British Sky Broadcasting.

Since completing a Bachelor of Commerce and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance, Andrew spent 7 years at Telstra in a variety of management roles, most recently as the General Manager of Broadband Strategy. This role involved the management of a customer base of three million business and consumer broadband customers and the management of a multi-billion dollar P&L.

Andrew also spent three years in the United Kingdom managing the commercial function for the British Sky Broadcasting Telecommunications business. During his tenure British Sky Broadcasting was the fastest growing broadband provider in the United Kingdom.

Joining AP Sales to head up the Finance division, Andrew is highly experienced in financial management and forecasting. He has retained exceptional relationships in the finance sector and should be your first contact point when considering finance for your new business or refinance of your existing business.

Jack Brown has been a business owner for the last decade during which time he has purchased and sold multiple businesses within his portfolio. In addition to his own businesses, Jack has held roles in strategy and insights along with the exit planning and business sales for in excess of eight years

Prior to starting at AP Sales, Jack was a Strategic Consultant for ING where his responsibilities were to assess the existing asset portfolio, complete feasibility analysis’ and develop strategic modelling for future acquisitions.

Jack also performed and integral role at Right Angle Studios as a Strategist and Project Manager where his role was to formulate strategic insights that would inform the business strategy of large scale retail developments and how they would achieve their stated objectives both in relation to financial viability and ROI’s as well as community impact.

Over the last 15 years Jack has excelled in a number of senior roles including building, developing and selling businesses across all Industries. With experience in equity funding and exit planning, ground level operations and strategy, it is extremely rare to find someone like Jack who has excelled across multiple industries in multiple disciplines.

Whether it be a small greenfield start up or an established multi million company, Jack’s extensive experience means he is the first person you should talk to when thinking of buying or selling your Pharmacy.

Will’s varied professional background and experience endears him to clients and sets him apart from other brokers in the industry.

Exposure to small business development & P&L management through partnership in a hospitality business has given Will the ability to identify key elements of market opportunities and provide insights that are pertinent to business owners both current and future.

Will’s early career as an English teacher and journalist instilled in him exceptional communication skills and gave him the tools to analyse and present data in its most clear and meaningful form. He also cultivated a distinct ability to connect with people and manage personalities and this has encouraged clients to make him the face of their efforts whether buying or selling.

This unique set of skills has made Will a highly sought after expert in our sales team and enabled him to achieve excellent sale and acquisition results for his clients.

Nicholas is a corporate and commercial lawyer, with extensive prior experience working in litigation and insolvency.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Economics from Latrobe University and achieved a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Nicholas is highly experienced in the pharmaceutical sector, with a particular specialisation in the sale of pharmacy businesses.

This background has equipped him the unique insight and the skills necessary to deal with all the aspects of pharmacy businesses, transactions and matters concerning health professionals.

Overall, he brings a practical, pragmatic and solutions oriented approach in advising his clients on a broad range of matters.

Outside of work Nicholas is a passionate supporter of the Essendon AFL team. He is also dedicated to his training and fitness.

Phoenix is an IT consultant with over 15 years experience spanning the corporate, private and consultancy sectors in Australia, Asia and the USA.

He specialises in developing and implementing IT solutions that encompass front-end and back-end development, social media, CRM and ERP systems and infrastructure upgrades - transforming a business's productivity and efficiency.

During his career he has advised and assisted a range of leading companies which includes Sony Corporation, VH1, Macquarie Group, Fast Retailing Co. and Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd.

Phoenix is also an avid surfer and hopes that one day his daughter becomes the next Stephanie Gilmore.

Sarah Tipping brings a wealth of experience to her clients and, to AP Group. Commencing her career in Real Estate, Sarah enjoyed enormous success in the industry as Managing Director of a multi-office network. Sarah’s accolades include being Victoria’s first female Auctioneer, Barry Plant Real Estates first female Director and, Telstra Business Woman of the Year 2000.

Since selling out of Real Estate, Sarah has enjoyed success in consulting, the tourism industry and currently sits as ‘Chairman of the Board’ for prestigious private school ‘Yarra Valley Grammer’. Perhaps most importantly for her clients, Sarah is a mother and a home owner giving her a strong understanding of family budgets as well as excellent commercial acumen.

Sarah prides herself on providing exceptional, personalized service to her clients and AP Group are proud to have Sarah as part of the team.