Our Team
ESPC has a small team of specialists supported by external consultants on whom we call as required. All have years of experience, and have chosen to focus on the particular areas in which ESPC is engaged.
Geoff Kelly - Managing Director
Geoff leads the team at ESPC which he formed in 2005 to provide specialised Investigation, Risk Management and Advisory Services in the areas of Child Protection, Misconduct and Professional Standards.
Geoff trained as a lawyer and was involved in evidence preparation and conduct of litigated matters in legal practice. He then worked in investigations and risk services, through our founding company Lee, Kelly & Associates.
Geoff is an Accredited Child Protection Investigator, holds a Certificate IV in Quality Management, and Certificate IV in Government Investigations. Over many years he has had significant involvement in the investigation of child protection, and related matters in schooling, care and protective environments for Government, Church, and corporate clients.
Geoff led investigations in the landmark ‘Stolen Children’ litigation on instructions for the Commonwealth of Australia, and remains involved in Native Title investigations, and other matters relating to Aboriginal interests in traditional communities.
He is also involved with investigations of abuse, misconduct, discrimination, bullying and other issues in adult environments - including workplace relationships in private and public sectors, in the aged care sector, and in church, community, sports and service organisations
Geoff is a recognised expert in the field of investigation and preparation of civil evidence, and has been called to give evidence in those fields in Australian courts. He is also involved in training programs, and speaks at Legal, Education and other industry conferences.
Career Highlights & Appointments
- Led investigations in landmark ‘Stolen Children’ cases in the Federal and High Courts of Australia. These matters (over 2,000 cases filed) involved issues of administrative compliance, and numerous allegations of sexual, physical and psychological abuse within church and community organisations and public care institutions.
- Appointments by all tiers of Government to conduct investigations relating to sexual harassment, bullying, abuse and compliance.
- Appointments by leading Australian universities to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and abuse, compliance and related issues, and allegations of child abuse in care centres.
- Appointments by leading Australian private schools, and independent Christian schools, to investigate allegations of physical and sexual abuse and other ‘reportable conduct’.
- Appointments by Australian and New Zealand authorities and agencies, under the international Hague convention, in relation to child care and protection issues.
- Numerous appointments by the Australian Government Solicitor and other statutory agencies, to investigate allegations of workplace abuse and harassment, and other matters in traditional Aboriginal communities in central and northern Australia.
Trainer & Educator
- Geoff provides training to Principals, other Heads of Agency, Child Protection Investigators and in-service workshops for teaching staff; in relation to response, investigation and reporting of child protection matters in the independent Education and Community Care sectors; for Catholic, Anglican and other agencies in NSW and Queensland.
- Presents training workshops for Principals and leaders of member schools of the Christian Schools Association of Australia.
- Participates in training and development forums conducted by the NSW Ombudsman, on the investigation of child abuse and related issues.
- Provided significant resource material for internal investigation Procedures manuals for Catholic education and care agencies, and for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
- ESPC has a close relationship with Christian Schools Australia and provides training, support and investigation services in the areas of child protection, compliance and protocols, and staff relationship issues for member schools.
Community Involvement & Personal Interests
Geoff enjoys sailing, skiing and fly fishing when he can get away. He’s active in his local community and is a voluntary member of the management committee of Amuri Ski Field in Hanmer Springs, New Zealand.
Geoff and his wife have travelled extensively - in recent years particularly to Laos, where their close friendships with a family in remote Ban Hat Ngaw led to the school education program provided by ESPC Services.
Find out more on the Community Support & Pro Bono page.
- Skype:geoff.kelly
Jane Richards - Senior Investigator
Jane has many years experience in investigations for Government and statutory agencies, and workplace relations matters, and is now primarily involved with child protection, harassment, and workplace misconduct cases across the range of clients we serve.
Jane graduated in Law and Jurisprudence in 1979. She also holds a Certificate III in Investigations, and a Certificate IV in Government Investigations.
She worked as a corporate Legal Officer in Melbourne until 1986, then moved to London to gain international experience.
Returning to Australia in 1989, Jane began her investigation career with our founding company Lee, Kelly & Associates. Until she transferred to ESPC in 2009, Jane was engaged in insurance and commercial investigations, professional indemnity claims and workplace relations matters
Community Involvement & Personal Interests
Jane has a keen interest in cinema and supports the charity ‘Kidsflix’ - a project enabling children with disabilities to have fun days at the movies with their families and carers.
Her personal interests revolve around her family, house and garden. Jane has a particular interest in Art Deco home architecture, and the cultivation of her native garden and fernery. Jane also has a passion for Russian & British history and has travelled extensively.
Ken Taylor - Senior Investigator
With a background in public interest legal services, Ken joined our founding company in 1985. He has a breadth of experience in commercial, insurance, and workplace investigations. He has worked with ESPC since we formed, in the conduct of investigations and risk management services primarily in matters relating to church workers, and a range of child protection issues for schools, churches, sporting and community groups.
Ken graduated in Arts and Law in 1974. He worked as an advocate for juvenile offenders and practiced as a solicitor with the Australian Aboriginal Legal Service in regional areas. Ken then spent three years with the Australian Legal Aid Office, specialising in Family Law and representation of ex-nuptial children.
This background has equipped him well in his work with ESPC Services.
Ken holds a Certificate IV in Government Investigations and was a senior member of our team for the Commonwealth of Australia in the ‘Stolen Children’ litigation, where he investigated misconduct and compliance issues with many church and other service agencies
He is an Accredited Child Protection Investigator with several years experience investigating child protection and related matters in schooling, care and protective environments for Government, Church, and private sector clients.
Community Involvement & Personal Interests
Ken has a keen interest in the Arts - particularly literature, photography and film. He is a published novelist and amateur film maker. Ken is also involved in supporting the Arts in regional communities. He co-foundered and manages a highly successful community film festival in regional New South Wales. In 2010 it celebrated its thirty-fifth anniversary.