Empire Securities Group Pty Ltd (ESG) is a boutique investment bank founded in 2007, headquartered on the top floor of the Christie building in Sydney's CBD. The firm has extensive experience in providing capital solutions and advisory services to early stage companies in both the natural resources and technology sectors.The company was founded by Gerard Farley in 2007. Gerard has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to founding ESG, Gerard worked in New York as Director of International Institutional Research Sales at Merril Lynch (Bank of America) and a Senior Vice President of International Equities at James Capel (HSBC). Gerard's eldest son Tom formerly worked with the firm before joining a hedge fund in New York and his second son Felix has since joined the firm, working alongside financier Mark de Kock, co-founder of Vocus Communications (ASX:VOC).