Craig Blair

Executive Director

Craig's role is to source investments and partnerships, and to establish and support the management teams within netus' investments.

Craig has experience in private equity, investment banking and management consulting, and has played key roles in operating online businesses in Australia and the UK. For example, prior to joining netus, Craig was Head of Leisure Investment Banking at Macquarie Bank, where he led principle investments in private and listed companies. He also provided transactional support for the bank's investments in the childcare, taxi, business banking and funds management sectors.

As part of the initial management team of the online travel company, Expedia Australia, Craig worked closely with the Managing Director to write the business plan, recruit the management team, and develop the technical specifications. He also played a key role in the call centre and operations outsourcing.

As Corporate Development Director of travelselect.com, one of the first online travel companies in the UK, Craig was responsible for raising private equity finance and international expansion through joint ventures and acquisitions. In addition, he led the sale of the business to lastminute.com in 2002 in a transaction, which generated substantial returns to founders and investors.

Craig also has 3 years experience with Kalchas, a strategy consulting firm founded by partners from Bain and McKinsey & Company in London and New York. While at Kalchas, Craig worked with CEOs of blue chip companies to develop their strategies. His particular focus was on the consumer retail and online sectors, and on providing deal support for private equity clients.

In addition, Craig has been an angel investor in several start-up and SME businesses, and continues to provide board level support to these businesses.

Craig has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Sydney and a Masters of Business Administration from INSEAD, France.