Our People — Avangard Capital

Our Leadership Team

Alfred “Alf” Eggo

Chief Executive Officer, Portfolio Manager & Founding Director

Architect behind Avangard's proprietary investment system, A.L.F.R.E.D. (Adaptive Learning For Ranking Equities and Derivatives). Graduated with an Honours degree in Geology from Victoria University of Wellington in 1979, before joining the CRA/Rio Tinto Group in 1980.

In 1994 appointed manager of the Data and Information Visualisation and Geochemistry and Regolith Units of the CRA Exploration Information Group in Canberra, leading new methods to assess and visualise large scientific datasets, including research into Expert Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. His Percentile-thresholded lookup table for geochemical data remains in use around the world today.

From 1996 began applying this expertise to compile large commodity and financial databases. His research into the complex relationships between commodity prices, currencies, interest rates, and equity prices led directly to the quantitative methodology that underpins A.L.F.R.E.D. and Avangard's investment process.

In 2017 entered a joint venture with RVF Capital in Melbourne, ultimately leading to the formation of SensOre Limited, listed on the ASX in January 2022.

Jules Aknin

Chief Operating Officer & Founding Director

Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Avangard, responsible for the firm's operational infrastructure, strategic execution, and investor-facing functions. Since inception in 2025, he has led the development of the firm's operating model, overseeing budgeting, financial planning, compliance frameworks, and the implementation of scalable systems to support growth.

Works closely with the investment team to ensure alignment between portfolio activities and the firm's broader strategic and regulatory objectives. Leads investor relations and capital development, building relationships with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and strategic partners.

Brings over a decade of experience building and scaling businesses across the food and beverage, education, and construction sectors — with deep expertise in operational management, financial oversight, and client acquisition.

Completed the RG 146 certification in Financial Markets in 2025 and, in 2026, a Risk Management certificate through the New York Institute of Finance. He intends to pursue the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

Shareholders & Technical Advisors

Dr Dane Burkett

Research, Future Innovation & Founding Shareholder

Extensive experience in database management, statistics, and data science, along with expertise in ML frameworks. Highly proficient in "R" open source statistical analysis software, IBM's SPSS, and Python.

Holds a PhD in Geology from the University of New South Wales and was a recipient of the University Medal for his undergraduate studies. During his PhD he applied machine learning to geochemical data to predict rock types.

Dane and Alf have worked together for several years applying machine learning techniques to geo-scientific data from the mining and exploration sectors.

Aaron Gibson

Database Administrator

Responsible for the management of the large financial databases that underpin A.L.F.R.E.D.'s market modelling capabilities.

With over 25 years of involvement in the management of these systems, Aaron brings deep hands-on knowledge of the data-intensive backbone central to the integrity and continuity of the investment process.

He has also made contributions to innovations in modeling systems to A.L.F.R.E.D.

Advisory Board

Kim Ivey

Chair of the Advisory Board — Investment Strategy & Risk

Career in investment and financial services spans more than four decades, beginning at Merrill Lynch in 1985 as a Private Banker and encompassing senior roles at Citi, Willis Towers Watson, and Commonwealth Bank, before founding Vertex Capital Management in 1997 — one of Australia's earliest hedge fund managers.

At Commonwealth Bank as Head of Risk Management, Kim led a team conducting quantitative risk assessment, derivative overlay analyses, scenario planning, and performance attribution across multi-asset portfolios. Held delegated authority from the CIO and led a quantitative team managing an international equity portfolio in excess of $1 Billion.

At Vertex Capital Management pioneered Long Short Equity market-neutral investing in Australia. The fund's Relative Value strategy attracted sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and family offices across Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America. Vertex won the 2003 Best Alternative Investment Manager (Australia) Award.

Served as Chairman, then President of AIMA Australia from 2001 to 2012. Since 2010 has operated as an independent investment and risk adviser. Co-founded The Alternative Future Foundation in 2018, a charity that has raised and donated nearly $7 Million.

Dave Forsyth

Advisory Board — Securities Financing, Prime Services & Capital Markets

Capital markets professional with over 25 years of international experience across prime services, securities finance, and cross-asset sales — with roles spanning Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, and Sydney.

Most recently APAC Head of Prime Brokerage for Maybank Securities, having previously run the APAC Interbank Desk for Natixis. Before this held several senior positions at UBS, including leading APAC Prime Sales in New York and Singapore. Prior to UBS built and ran the research sales team at Eurekahedge.

Recognised as a leader in these fields, winning personal and group accolades including 3x Best Boutique Prime Broker awards from HFM and UBS' CEO and Equities franchise awards.

Andrew Kuruc

Advisory Board — Distribution Strategy & Investor Relations

More than four decades of experience in financial services distribution, investor relations, and wealth management — with a career spanning business development, practice development, operations leadership, and executive coaching.

Began his career with Colonial and Scottish Amicable in 1985, before spending eleven years at MLC across roles including State Manager and Manager for New Zealand. Subsequently worked as Senior Consultant at ipac, and served as Chairman and Head of Sales at Brightgreen.

At MLC Australia served as Senior Consultant for Practice Development across NSW and the ACT, and as Head of MLC Connect. Later served as Chief Operating Officer at Redwood Wealth Alliance and as Investor Relations Manager at Quadrant Investments.

Holds an Executive MBA from AGSM at UNSW Business School and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Sydney Business School.