Our Team
George Lucas
Managing Director & Founder
George Lucas has over 35 years experience in the investment banking and fund management industry specialising in developing, managing and structuring financial products. George was previously a director of two listed investment trusts, the Chief Investment officer of Mariner Financial, the head of the London equity derivative trading and structuring department for First Chicago and the head trader of equity derivatives with Citibank in the United Kingdom.
George is responsible for managing Instreet, setting the strategy, in conjunction with the board, and developing and structuring financial products. He has extensive experience in product strategy, managing investment risk, portfolio management, and regulatory compliance. He is also experienced in using financial instruments to manage foreign exchange risk and interest rate exposure. George has consulted to hedge fund managers both in Australia and internationally and is a regular presenter at finance industry forums and Sky Business. He has also written books and tertiary courses regarding the use of derivatives.
George holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Brad Cuss
Director
Brad is a Certified Practicing Accountant and an ASIC Certified Financial Planner. Brad has a Bachelor of Business. He has over 18 years experience in the advisory industry specialising in financial, tax and business advisory. Brad has been a partner since 2010 at GHR Accounting Group (www.ghr.com.au), a BRW Top 100 Accounting practice with over $350 million of assets under advisement. Brad’s clients include construction, property, transport, hospitality, professional services and high net worth individuals, docusing on SME’s and family groups, Cloud computing, wealth management. He has experience in portfolio construction and in ensuring that financial products are relevant for individual investment portfolios.
Brad thoroughly enjoys working with clients to drive efficiencies and to provide tailored strategic advice to ensure his client’s goals are achieved.
Astrid Raetze
Director
Astrid Raetze is a financial services lawyer with more than 25 years experience in the financial services industry. At Baker McKenzie, a global law firm, she was a partner in financial services law for over 15 years, as well as serving as Global Head of FinTech, and on the Global Innovation Group (mandated with innovating the practice of law at Baker McKenzie). Astrid then moved to KPMG, where she headed the financial services law division and served as the Australian Head of FinTech. Astrid also led KPMG’s response to the Banking Royal Commission. Astrid has deep technical expertise in FinTech, financial services, financial products, including funds, structured financial products, and regulatory advice. Her clients include FinTechs, venture capital and PE funds who invest in FinTech, product issuers, funds, fund managers, ETF issuers, responsible entities and trustees.
Our Team
James Poon
Head of Product
James Poon has 25 years experience in financial markets, working in equity derivatives and structured products. He has worked in trading, structuring and sales roles for Westpac, ABN AMRO and The Royal Bank of Scotland.
In his recent role as Head of Structuring for Investor Products Equity Derivatives at RBS in Australia, he was responsible for developing, structuring and issuance of RBS’ over the counter, unlisted and ASX listed products. He has extensive experience in setting up structured product and warrant platforms, delivering client outcomes and operating within an evolving regulatory framework. James has worked with all types of clients from institutions, IFAs, brokers, Private Banks to retail investors.
James is responsible for ensuring all retail products are issued in accordance with Corporations Act requirements and proper due process.
James has a Bachelor of Business and LLB (Hons) degree from UTS, Sydney and has been admitted as a Legal Practitioner. He is RG146 qualified, AFMA Accredited and holds ASX Level 1 & 2 Derivatives Accreditation.
Justin Byrne
Head of Sales and Co-Founder
Justin Byrne co-founded Instreet with George in 2007. Justin has managed Instreet’s sales, marketing and distribution strategy since inception of the business. He has over 25 years investment experience with multi asset structured products, property and infrastructure managed investment schemes, insurance and other financial products having previously worked at Zurich, Westpac and Mariner Financial.
Justin is an experienced finance professional who listens to his clients and is extremely focused and dedicated to assisting all his clients to meet their investment goals and objectives.
Angela Halim
Investment Analyst
Angela is an experienced financial services professional with a diverse background spanning over a decade in banking and finance. She has experienced in serving as a Financial Institution Relationship Manager, where she excels in building and nurturing relationships with financial institutions, ensuring seamless collaboration and growth opportunities. Prior to this, Angela worked at Citibank and Standard Chartered, where she specialized in custodian services operations, gaining deep expertise in financial market infrastructure and institutional client management.
Angela’s career also includes a transition into the rapidly evolving fintech sector, where she worked as a Mutual Fund Selling Agent, blending traditional finance with cutting-edge technology. Angela’s comprehensive knowledge of the financial industry, paired with her passion for innovation and client service, has positioned her as a dynamic leader in the field.
Angela has a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from Curtin University.