Sydney, Australia · Nexus Advisory

Commercial
finance,
clearly done.

I help founders and CFOs unlock growth capital, navigate deals with clarity, and cut through lender complexity, with a process that's direct, experienced, and built around your outcome.

20+
Years in Finance & Entrepreneurship
$5B+
Transactions Supported
SME
Founder-Focused
4
Companies Founded & Exited
Rich Coombes, Partner at Nexus Advisory
Rich Coombes
Partner · Nexus Advisory · Sydney
01

What I do

◈  Funding

Commercial Finance Advisory

Structuring and sourcing the right capital solution for growth: working capital, property-backed lending, trade/invoice finance and asset finance. With strong lender relationships, I help get the right-sized funding solution in place.

◈  M&A

Acquisitions & Deal Advisory

Working alongside founders and their M&A advisors to get deals done. I act as a trusted partner to secure flexible finance facilities supporting growth through M&A.

◈  Capital Strategy

Lender & CFO Engagement

I translate financial complexity into clear, compelling narratives for banks and private credit providers, working with CFOs and Accountants on funding strategies.

02

Who I work with

Referrers

Accountants & Professional Advisers

If you have a client with a funding need, acquisition in mind, or a balance sheet that needs restructuring. I'm the person you refer them to. I protect your relationship, keep you informed, and work alongside you as trusted partners.

Founders & Operators

SME Founders & Business Owners

You've built something valuable. Now you want to grow it, buy a competitor, or plan your exit. I help you understand the options, engage the right capital partners, and negotiate best outcomes.

Finance Leaders

CFOs & Finance Directors

Acting as an extension of your team for specific transactions, bringing lender relationships, market intelligence, and execution capacity when your internal bandwidth is stretched or the deal demands specialist input.

Capital Providers

Private Credit & Lenders

I present deals with discipline: well-structured briefing notes, accurate financials, and borrowers who understand their own numbers. If you want quality deal flow, I'd welcome a conversation.

"

Highly connected, commercially sharp, and simply great to work with. Rich brings a thoughtful, relationship-first approach to everything he does. I've really enjoyed working with him and value the trust and quality he consistently delivers.

Michael Chen Founder & Principal · Spring Capital
03

A bit about me

I'm a Partner at Nexus Advisory, based in Sydney. My work sits at the intersection of commercial finance, entrepreneurship, and strategic business advice, with a focus on the SME market where good advice is often hard to find at the scale founders actually need.

I've spent over 20 years working as an investment banker, entrepreneur and debt advisor. What I bring isn't just market knowledge and experience. It's the ability to read a room, structure a conversation, and get deals across the finish line.

Founded & Exited
Est. 2010
Batlow
Cider
Craft cider brand built on Australia's finest apple-growing region.
Est. 2012
Will & Co
Coffee
Specialty coffee roaster scaling from café to national wholesale.
Est. 2016
Capital
Brewing Co
Canberra's premium craft brewery, growing to become a national brand.
Est. 2019
Kaddy
Marketplace
B2B drinks marketplace connecting suppliers and venues across Australia.
Rich Coombes speaking at Accountants & Business Expo, Sydney
Rich Coombes finishing IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Taupo

Beyond the desk

When I'm not working on deals, I'm spending time with family and training. The structured discipline of endurance sports shapes how I approach my work: playing the long game, being consistent and embracing setbacks.

🏊
Triathlon · Age Grouper
🏃
Runner
🤸
Calisthenics
04

What clients say

"

As a startup / scale-up, we're not the easiest client to place, but Rich gets our world, and that makes all the difference. The irregular cash flows, the growth-before-profit story, the urgency. He doesn't try to fit us into a standard box; he takes the time to understand our business and finds lenders who understand it too. His broad network means we can be strategic, not just grateful for whoever will have us. What I value most is that he's unambiguously client-first. Every recommendation feels like it comes from someone who has your best interests at heart. He's responsive, easy to work with, and extremely patient. If you're a founder or finance leader looking for a broker who actually understands growth businesses, chat to Rich, you won't be disappointed.

Courtney Allen
Fractional CFO · Double Rugs, Brand.AI
"

Highly connected, commercially sharp, and simply great to work with. Rich brings a thoughtful, relationship-first approach to everything he does. I've really enjoyed working with him and value the trust and quality he consistently delivers.

Michael Chen
Founder & Principal · Spring Capital
"

I've had the pleasure of working with Rich across a few portfolio companies and strategic opportunities. His rare blend of debt market expertise, professional advisory experience, and founder perspective makes him an outstanding partner. As someone based overseas, I've found his insight invaluable in navigating the Australian market and enhancing how I support my local portfolio companies.

Andrew Stott
Founder & Principal · Stott Advisory
05

In the media

Podcast
The Dion Guagliardo Podcast with Rich Coombes
The Dion Guagliardo Podcast
Listen on Spotify
Video
The FMCG Working Capital Playbook with Rich Coombes
Made in the Factory: FMCG Podcast
Watch on Spotify
Podcast
Funding Growth Without Losing Control with Rich Coombes
Emajin Golf: Beyond The 19th
Listen on Apple Podcasts
06 · Get in touch

Ready to move forward?

Whether you have a client to refer, a deal to discuss, or just want to understand how I can help. I'm easy to reach and quick to respond.

Send an enquiry

No spam. No pitch decks. Just a conversation.

Thanks, I'll be in touch shortly.

Rich typically responds within one business day.