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Wyllie Group
Wyllie Group was founded in 1991 by the late Bill Wyllie after he sold his Hong Kong holdings. Rhonda Wyllie, Melissa Karlson and Luke Wyllie now direct the...
Wyllie Group
Wyllie Group was founded in 1991 by the late Bill Wyllie after he sold his Hong Kong holdings. Rhonda Wyllie, Melissa Karlson and Luke Wyllie now direct the firm from Perth. The family maintains a national perspective while keeping a flexible approach to asset location and structure. The firm deploys capital across direct equities, managed funds and property. It participates in both passive and active roles, often providing ongoing funding and board support. Confirmed holdings include Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hillarys Boardwalk Retail Precinct, Murray River Farm, 74 Castlereagh Street and North Kellyville Square. Wyllie also holds interests in managed funds focused on public and private equities plus alternative investments. Geographic exposure spans Oceania, Asia and Africa. Investment stages include distressed and turnaround situations as well as growth opportunities. The family office employs a compact team with no disclosed headcount. Additional vehicles include The Rhonda Wyllie Foundation and Be Giving. December 2025: John Van Der Wielen was appointed Non-Executive Chair. The group maintains memberships in Power 500 and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Wyllie Group operates with a concentrated shareholder base limited to three family members who align on every investment decision. This structure enables rapid execution on direct deals and board-level involvement without external LP constraints. The family also controls operating assets such as Corsaire Aviation and Black Angus cattle operations that sit alongside the investment portfolio.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
1991
Location
Region
Oceania
Country
Australia
City
Perth
Corporate office
19th Floor St Georges Square, 225 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Principals
Melissa Karlson
Managing Director
Rhonda Wyllie
Non-Executive Director
Luke Wyllie
Non-Executive Director
Altss tracks 1 additional named team member for this firm — including direct investment leads, IR, and operating principals not listed on the public website.
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Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Wyllie Group?
Melissa Karlson serves as Managing Director with Rhonda Wyllie and Luke Wyllie as Non-Executive Directors. All three family members must align before capital is deployed.
How does Wyllie Group source proprietary deal flow?
The firm relies on direct relationships built through prior property and turnaround investments. It also receives introductions via its board network and family connections in Western Australia.
Does Wyllie Group participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Wyllie Group allocates to both managed funds and direct equities or property investments. It maintains substantial holdings with domestic and international fund managers alongside its direct portfolio.
What investment stages does Wyllie Group typically target?
The firm focuses on distressed and turnaround situations as well as growth opportunities. It avoids early-stage venture capital.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The capital originated with Bill Wyllie's corporate turnarounds in Hong Kong during the 1980s followed by Australian real-estate and resources investments after 1991.
Does Wyllie Group maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The Rhonda Wyllie Foundation and Be Giving operate as separate registered charities. They receive funding from the family but sit outside the investment company.
What is Wyllie Group's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The firm acts primarily as a direct investor but can join co-investments when board representation or ongoing funding is part of the structure.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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