Dr Craig West, Founder & Executive Chairman

Author | Keynote Speaker | Strategic Adviser | Succession & Exit Planning Expert | ESOP Specialist

Dr Craig West is a recognised authority in business succession and exit planning, known for helping business owners build value, plan for the future, and exit successfully. As the Founder and Executive Chairman of Succession Plus, Craig has led the firm since 2009, growing it into Australia’s leading specialist advisory business in this space, with a presence in the United States

With more than 25 years of experience, Craig combines deep practical knowledge with academic rigour. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration, a Master of Tax Law, and a Master of Business in Accounting and Finance. His doctoral research focused on the key drivers behind successful business exits and the evolving motivations of business owners, providing a unique evidence-based approach to succession planning.

Craig’s work has been recognised with several industry awards. In 2015, he was named Exit Planner of the Year at the Exit Planning Institute Annual Conference in the USA. In 2024, he was inducted into the Exit Planning Institute's Circle of Excellence for his long-standing contribution to the profession. His innovative employee ownership structure, the Peak Performance Trust, has twice won ESOP of the Year in Australia.

An accomplished author, Craig has published six books covering asset protection, business valuation, succession, exit planning, and employee ownership. He is also a sought-after keynote speaker, regularly presenting on topics such as value acceleration, ownership transition, and employee share schemes. In addition to his advisory work, Craig acts as Non-Executive Chairman for several mid-market businesses, where he supports governance and strategic growth with a focus on succession readiness.