Headquarters:
18 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Year founded:
1983
Number of employees:
356 in AU, 570 globally
Phone:
1300 555 884
Email:
salesau@frontiersoftware.com
Website:
frontiersoftware.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontier-software
Nick Southcombe
Chief Executive Officer
Kim Boyd
National Sales and Marketing Manager
Martin Barlow
National Professional Services Manager
Leadership
Nick Southcombe is Frontier Software’s CEO, a role he has held since 2007. Leveraging nearly four decades of experience, he has overseen the development of the Frontier Software brand to the enviable market position it occupies today.
Southcombe is committed to building an exceptional client-focused enterprise. He drives a corporate culture where business improvement, innovation, quality, and employee engagement are deeply connected with customer satisfaction.
Chief Executive Officer
Nick Southcombe
Kim Boyd, a senior leader at Frontier Software since 2011, oversees sales and marketing across Australia and the Pacific Region. Based in Melbourne, Boyd drives revenue growth, brand recognition, and client acquisition through strategic go-to-market initiatives. She leads a cross-functional team of 20 and engages confidently with board members and stakeholders. Her expertise spans technology, HR, payroll and professional services.
Boyd holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and is a GAICD graduate. She is known for her clear communication, crisis leadership and ability to build lasting relationships with clients and vendors.
National Sales and Marketing Manager
Kim Boyd
Martin Barlow, national professional services manager at Frontier Software, leads service delivery across Australia and New Zealand. Based in Melbourne, he drives operational excellence, client satisfaction and continuous improvement.
Barlow oversees cross-functional teams handling onboarding, compliance and technical support, and collaborates with executives and hosted clients to ensure service continuity. He designs frameworks that meet regulatory standards and represents professional services in strategic forums. With deep expertise in enterprise software, HR and payroll technology, and ATO MFA compliance, Barlow is a confident communicator and trusted leader committed to enhancing client experience and fostering transparency across complex service environments.
National Professional Services Manager
Martin Barlow
Eugene Lafontaine
National Operations Manager,
Frontier Payroll Services
Eugene Lafontaine, national operations manager – FPS at Frontier Software since 2008, is a seasoned leader in HR, payroll and operations. With experience across private and public sectors, he blends strategic oversight with hands-on leadership to drive service excellence and client satisfaction. He leads national delivery teams, manages cross-functional staff, and oversees compliance and industrial relations.
Lafontaine’s background includes senior HR roles and expertise in workforce strategy, governance, and transformation. He has undertaken advanced training in HR and operations management, and works closely with executive stakeholders to align services with business goals across industries including logistics, defence and publishing.
National Operations Manager, Frontier Payroll Services
Eugene Lafontaine
Karen Coombs
Product Manager
Karen Coombs is a seasoned product manager at Frontier Software, leading cross-functional teams across Melbourne and Brisbane. Renowned for her strategic vision and user-centric approach, she drives innovation across key platforms, including ER21, API21, onboarding, self-service and ichris.
Her agile leadership style fosters collaboration between technical and business units, ensuring product-market fit and delivery excellence. With deep expertise in enterprise HR and payroll systems, Coombs excels in translating complex strategies into actionable outcomes. She’s a clear communicator, dedicated mentor and active contributor to best practices in product development and customer experience.
Product Manager
Karen Coombs
Liviu (Liv) Marciu
Chief Technology Officer
Matthew Westwood-Hill
Chief Information Security Officer
Kathy Pallasis
Manager, Human Resources
Nipuna Mediwake
Head of Finance and Corporate Services
Liviu Marciu, chief technology officer at Frontier Software, leads the company’s digital transformation and innovation strategy from Melbourne. With deep expertise in software engineering and enterprise architecture, he drives platform scalability, security, and performance.
Marciu collaborates with senior leaders like Nick Southcombe to align technology with business goals, oversees software development and infrastructure, and fosters a culture of technical excellence. He plays a key role in vendor partnerships and emerging tech integration.
With a software engineering degree and an MBA from Melbourne Business School, Marciu is a strategic communicator and thought leader in HR tech, data security and agile delivery.
Chief Technology Officer
Liviu (Liv) Marciu
Matthew Westwood-Hill is a seasoned cyber security leader with over 20 years’ experience in digital forensics, incident response and information security. He has led teams at SBS, CyberCX, and Ernst & Young, managing major incidents and aligning security strategies with business goals.
Westwood-Hill is known for his innovative, risk-reducing solutions and clear communication with executives and regulators. He drives awareness, compliance and resilience through training, policy and strategic planning. A frequent speaker and media contributor, he holds advanced qualifications in cyber security and digital forensics and is a recognised expert witness committed to continuous learning and emerging threat readiness.
Chief Information Security Officer
Matthew Westwood-Hill
Kathy Pallasis, manager, human resources at Frontier Software, leads HR strategy and operations from Melbourne. She oversees policy development, employee relations, and internal communications, working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
Pallasis is known for her clear, responsive communication and collaborative approach. She manages employee records, supports strategic planning and coordinates workplace logistics. With experience in enterprise software, payroll systems and governance, Pallasis is a trusted resource for internal stakeholders.
She holds a humanities degree, is a member of AHRI, and actively contributes to continuous improvement and inclusive workplace practices through policy and operational leadership.
Manager, Human Resources
Kathy Pallasis
Nipuna Mediwake is Head of Finance and Corporate Services at Frontier Software, where he leads the Senior Management team from the Melbourne office. Since joining the executive group, Mediwake has overseen finance, legal, human resources, and corporate administration, ensuring operational excellence and strategic alignment across the business.
Reporting directly to CEO Nick Southcombe, Mediwake manages a diverse team spanning HR, legal, accounting, and administration. With expertise in financial governance, compliance, and cross-functional leadership, he plays a pivotal role in driving fiscal responsibility and organisational resilience.
Mediwake holds extensive experience in corporate finance and business operations and is recognised for clear decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and a collaborative leadership style that fosters accountability and high performance.
Head of Finance and Corporate Services
Nipuna Mediwake
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Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
“The goal was always to build something enduring”
Michael Howard,
Frontier Software
“Winning the Readers’ Choice awards for payroll and HR software product is a powerful validation of our approach, but it’s also a reminder that excellence is a journey, not a destination”
Nick Southcombe,
Frontier Software
When Frontier Software marked its 40th anniversary, the milestone underscored the staying power of a company that has remained under consistent ownership since 1983.
In a sector where acquisitions and rebrands are common, the Melbourne-based firm has charted its own course by developing products in-house and holding fast to a culture built on stability, trust and long-term relationships.
The family-owned business points to loyalty as evidence of that approach. Staff average in excess of eight years of tenure, well above industry norms, while clients typically stay for more than a decade, and many for multiple decades. Both groups highlight the same qualities of reliability, accountability, and value that build over time.
Leaders see that culture as central to the company’s identity. Certified as a Great Place to Work®, the firm is known for its collaborative environment, one where people feel supported and motivated to develop their careers.
That ethos comes through in leadership. Founder Michael Howard built the company with a focus on high-quality HR and payroll solutions designed for the Australian market. CEO Nick Southcombe now drives operational performance with a senior team covering sales, marketing, services, technology and people functions. Together, they blend strategic direction with a pragmatic emphasis on execution.
IQumulate invests in education and people, which are vital to attracting new business and talent to the company.
“We have long tenures for several of our key staff, including some in leadership positions, and this sound working knowledge of our business, practices and industry provides great insights and a wealth of experience to offer our clients,” says Bastow. “Our new head of sales, Graeme Gordon, formerly manager for New Zealand, joins us in Australia to drive our sales strategy and lead our team to successful outcomes for our clients and our business. We look forward to great things ahead with Graeme as he continues to be active and present in the New Zealand market as well as building sound working relationships and new connections in Australia.”
Clients can also expect a lot from working with IQumulate.
“Through active engagement with our trusted broker network, IQumulate provides relevant information, education and training content,” says Graeme Gordon, head of sales. “Our clients can expect IQumulate to support their business in several ways, providing an understanding of what premium funding solutions are available and how IQumulate can spread the cost of insurance and help borrowers get the right level of insurance cover to free up their cash flow for other expenses or business growth opportunities. Premium funding is often considered a tool for those who simply cannot afford to pay their premiums in full. While this is certainly a significant driver for many, it is also successfully used by profitable companies who use premium funding to manage their cash flows more wisely or better manage their liquidity.”
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Overall
Engagement initiatives have earned Frontier Software a Voice Project Award, as well as an HRD Readers’ Choice award for 2025. Quality metrics, built into every employee’s responsibilities, reinforce accuracy and dependability. Customer satisfaction has been embedded as a KPI across the business, making every client interaction an opportunity to strengthen relationships. That focus has driven steady year-on-year gains in satisfaction levels.
As Southcombe explains, “The standard you walk past is the standard you allow.” This phrase has become a guiding principle for the company’s hyper-focused strategy. “Winning the Readers’ Choice awards for payroll and HR software product is a powerful validation of our approach, but it’s also a reminder that excellence is a journey, not a destination.
In recent years, leadership has concentrated on three priorities focused on employee engagement, quality assurance and customer satisfaction.
The ichris platform anchors Frontier Software’s solutions. Built in Australia, in addition to local organisations, ichris is a multi-country system that spans the full HR lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding to payroll and compliance. The system manages award interpretation, multi-contract employment, and regulatory complexity while giving employees control over their own data.
Clients such as The Salvation Army, which consolidated eight payroll databases into one ichris solution for 11,000 employees, point to the accuracy and efficiency it enables. Northern Territory Primary Health Network has used the platform to modernise payroll and improve security, boosting efficiency and staff work–life balance.
Innovation is anchored by steady investment, with a quarter of annual revenue directed to research and development. Client forums, surveys, and employee insight shape the roadmap, while automation, AI and mobile-first design add momentum. The result is a platform that adapts to market demands without losing sight of practical use.
That adaptability is evident in client outcomes. Automation has reduced payroll errors, eased compliance risk, and freed staff from repetitive tasks. Leadership teams gain sharper visibility into turnover and engagement, giving them data they can act on at the board level. Spectrum Care, for instance, reports annual savings of more than $50,000 since adopting ichris, evidence that efficiency and financial return can co-exist.
The company’s stance is to keep improving. Leaders describe excellence as an ongoing process, not a final goal.
As Howard put it during the anniversary year, “The goal was always to build something enduring.”
That outlook continues to shape how Frontier Software builds products and partnerships designed to meet the future of work with confidence, agility and heart.