This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
Despite no longer being a director of Kebbel Investment Group now known as Finchley Funds Management, founder Richard Beck, remains a larger than life figure in the group’s Perth head office.
In an exclusive interview with Propertyreview.com.au, Beck admitted that he “calls into” the Finchley offices “on a time to time” basis because he remains a consultant.
“I stepped down from the board of Finchley (Kebbel) and I am no longer a director,” Beck told Propertyreview.com.au yesterday.
He admitted the reason Kebbel changed its name to Finchley virtually overnight was due to the adverse media caused from the collapse of Westpoint and his group’s active involvement….
“It was in the best interests of the company to change the name and for me to stand down,” Beck added.
Despite previous denials in The Sydney Morning Herald that he was no longer part of Finchley, Beck readily took Propertyreview.com.au’s call at the Finchley head office yesterday.
Beck told Propertyreview.com.au that Kebbel Funds Management was never involved in raising buy cheap diazepam online money for Westpoint and it was Kebbel Capital state offices in New South Wales and Victoria that was involved with Westpoint.
Amazingly, the former Kebbel Capital office in Melbourne recently changed address and phone number, but still answer the phone and calls itself Kebbel Investment Group.
The Melbourne office is still run by former Kebbel Capital director Sally Jobling.
When asked about the changed name for Kebbel Investment Group, a curt “no comment” was the response.
Shortly after the Westpoint Collapse, overnight, Kebbel’s website was pulled down and within days was raised as Finchley Funds Management.
According to the West Australian, Beck and his wife have busily moving personal assets out of their own names and into family trusts.
Beck, who was a director of Westpoint until late last year, also recently stood down as chairman of the Prime Retirement and Aged Care Trust.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is currently continuing its investigation into the collapse of Westpoint.
By Nelson Yap
