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

“We prioritise embracing cutting-edge technologies, creative problem solving and continuous improvement to enhance our premium funding solutions and provide exceptional value to our clients”

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

BRETT BASTOW, IQUMULATE PREMIUM FUNDINGs

Leadership

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

Stevens & Associates Lawyers is a leading and trusted employment law firm based in Sydney known for delivering high-quality legal expertise in the area of employment law and industrial relations across Australia, alongside a proven track record of effectively and swiftly resolving a variety of workplace law issues. In the past year, the firm’s growth has been notable. It has: • experienced a 213% growth in the number of client matters, increasing from 149 client matters in the 2022 financial year to 390 client matters in the 2023 financial year • improved its online visibility, leading to over 50 online enquiries each month and a conversion rate of client leads of up to 40% • significantly expanded the breadth and type of matters that it advises on day to day, which has increased the firm’s skillsets, diversity and resilience • expanded its community outreach by collaborating with local Sydney venues for client seminars and continuing active participation in a Sydney small/family business group Stevens & Associates Lawyers has adapted to digital trends by implementing an effective strategy with SEO and web design, resulting in a structural shift that has seen increased representation of employees where the firm previously mainly advised employers. The firm’s recognition as a “Fast Firm” attests to its momentum in the employment law space.

“IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started”

Wayne Tower, IQumulate Premium Funding

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

One culmination of these efforts has been the real-world, needs-based IQEdge solution. A one-stop online quoting tool designed for both the Australian and New Zealand markets, IQEdge delivers quotes in under 60 seconds. Plus, the solution offers quote comparison and quote versioning capabilities, enabling users to review vital historical and financial data in a single page view. IQEdge can streamline and automate application processing, underwriting document verification and payment collection, cutting the need for manual labour and minimising processing errors. A digital “self-service” platform, IQEdge, reduces the need for customer and administrative support. Meanwhile, borrowers can access their accounts, make payments and manage their policies independently and through sales and support teams, which are always available for further assistance. “We’ve created a quality platform that simplifies the quoting process yet amplifies the customer experience,” says Gordon. “It’s a real game changer.” IQumulate offers an online digital quoting tool to clients. The best-in-market solution enables IQumulate to tailor funding offerings to brokers that align with their prefered distribution channel.

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What does IQumulate have in mind for the future? “IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started,” says Wayne Tower, CEO. “Through continuous engagement with our clients, partners, marketplace and industry, we will listen to the needs as they arise and position our business to be agile and respond to changes as they occur. “Faster decision-making innovations such as AI-powered decision support systems can expedite the underwriting and approval process, leading to quicker responses to clients. This can improve client satisfaction and potentially attract more business, creating a competitive advantage with the potential to allow IQumulate to command premium pricing or capture a larger market share. “As forward-thinkers with a digital and ‘do it better’ mindset, we collectively and proactively look to learn and improve on our customer experience for our clients, paving the way for successful business outcomes for our clients and our business in the coming years ahead. “We’re excited for the future and look forward to what’s on the horizon.”

Adam Basaldella

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

Commercial Manager

Stephen McMillan

Claire Watson

Product Manager

Claire Watson

Product Manager

Claire Watson

“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

Ivan Verescuk

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Shaun O’Brien

Head of Underwriting

Emily Walker

Head of Strata and Development

Rex Oakman

Head of Operations and Risk

Sandy Newton

Head of Underwriting

Andrew Mitchell

Manager – NSW

Michael Prokopis

Manager – Southern Region

Pam Chhabra

Manager – Residential Strata

Jeffrey Valdivia

Manager – Commercial Strata

Adam Basaldella

Manager – Claims

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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Diversity, equity and inclusion

Innovation

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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.