Ex-Novotech CFO's Bitter Marriage Split Revealed Amid TPG Capital Boss's Legal Woes

Confidential emails have surfaced detailing the acrimonious marriage breakdown between Rob Speedie, former Chief Financial Officer of Novotech, and his ex-wife Annabelle Mooney, a former JPMorgan managing director. The revelations come as Joel Thickins, the Australian boss of private equity firm TPG Capital, faces legal investigations.

Speedie, who exited Novotech last year following a medical episode during a significant stake sale, has reportedly alleged a culture of excessive partying and drinking at TPG in leaked text messages. His departure from Novotech, primarily held by TPG since 2017, followed reports of him undergoing treatment for executive burnout. His personal life also unraveled concurrently, with his split from Mooney occurring after his exit from the company.

Emails exchanged in December 2024 reportedly paint a stark picture of the couple's marital difficulties. Mooney expressed feelings of being unloved and abandoned, alongside concerns about trust and the future of their relationship. Speedie, however, is said to have disputed sole responsibility for their marital issues, warning of potential legal and financial consequences from hostile divorce proceedings due to fragile finances.

This was not Speedie's first marriage; he was previously married to ANZ policy lead Angela Speedie, with whom he has two sons. He is currently in a relationship with his partner, Cath, and the couple is understood to be living in a rental property in Melbourne's Brighton.

Speedie and Thickins were known for their party-boy reputations during their past association, which reportedly intensified during their work on major transactions. Insiders suggest their turbulent dynamic led Thickins to relocate from Melbourne to Sydney in 2024 at his wife Celina's request for a fresh start. Leaked text messages reportedly show Speedie referencing heavy partying with Thickins at a company event in 2022, where Novotech allegedly spent approximately $100,000 on a private performance by Guy Sebastian.

Questions surrounding Speedie's departure from Novotech intensified when reports emerged of a detailed affidavit he prepared during exit negotiations. This document is understood to have outlined the health toll of the Novotech sale process and included allegations regarding compensation arrangements. A Novotech spokesperson has categorically denied these allegations, stating they originated from a draft, unsworn affidavit that was never tested in legal proceedings and is entirely without foundation.

Meanwhile, TPG Capital confirmed it has engaged lawyers to investigate the circumstances surrounding an alleged five-car collision involving Joel Thickins in Paddington on June 1, which is now before the courts, as well as other matters that have surfaced subsequently. The firm stated that its investigation has not yet identified evidence corroborating the allegations. Thickins remains on leave and is scheduled to appear in Waverley Local Court on June 30.

Separately, Kristin Fisher, founder of Kristin Fisher Eyebrows, has drawn criticism for a social media post featuring a T-shirt with the slogan "Tax evasion? No… profit maximisation." This comes after her business entered administration in late 2023 due to a significant tax debt owed to the ATO, with a subsequent deed of company arrangement offering creditors a reduced repayment. Fisher reportedly scrubbed her boyfriend Shannon Sykes' initials from her Instagram bio, sparking speculation about their relationship status.