CEO Spotlight: Greg Johnson

This week we’ve decided to do something a little bit different by offering some insight into the team at Ascend Business Partners. Meet Greg Johnson, Principal Consultant and exit planning extraordinaire!

WHERE WERE YOU BEFORE ASCEND BUSINESS PARTNERS?

Before Ascend Business Partners, I held various senior leadership and management roles within several publicly listed Australian companies. These roles offered me a solid foundation of exceptional financial management and business transformation skills. With a keen eye and passion for financial analysis, I worked in roles where I could create substantial improvements in business performance. Eventually, I utilized my commercial experience and background in diverse industries to build Ascend Business Partners, where I now help my own clients build robust, valuable businesses.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE ASCEND BUSINESS PARTNERS?

My personal passion is making a difference in the lives of others. By specialising in exit and succession planning, I am able to help business owners increase their wealth and achieve personal goals. One of the best parts of the job is the ability to see my clients successfully move into the next phase of their life with a clear understanding of their purpose and how they can make the most of their “refirement”.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB?

I am passionate about creating outcomes for clients beyond their expectations. Most business owners underestimate their true potential. By empowering them to increase the value of their business, I am able to see my clients achieve personal and financial freedom.

WHO ARE YOUR MAIN CLIENTS?

My ideal client is:

* Turnover of at least $3M (Business value of $1M or greater).

* Minimum of 10 staff.

* Strong established growth pattern and history.

Ascend Business Partners focuses on helping companies with ageing owners. These clients are usually not aware of the potential value added by a detailed strategic succession plan and have previously relied on their accountant, lawyer or financial planner for advice.

My main clients are looking for:

* Trusted advisor;

* Certain directions and guidance;

* Implementation support; and

* Ongoing relationship.

WHAT DO YOU DO ON YOUR FREE TIME?

My other passion is my family. I have an amazing wife of 25 years and three amazing teenagers. Many of my weekends are spent watching my son play VFL football, or my youngest daughter playing representative netball. I am often out on the road with my 17-year-old as she works towards gaining her required 120 learner driver hours.

Apart from living vicariously through my children and wife, I enjoy dining out and enjoying various activities with our strong friendship circle. Somehow I even manage to fit in five or six hours of cardio workouts at the gym each week. Life is busy but I wouldn’t change a thing!