Scheerlinck Consulting
I'm Eva Scheerlinck.
I'm a lawyer and former peak body CEO with 25 years in governance. I work with not-for-profits, associations, super funds and customer-owned banks to strengthen their governance, sharpen their boards and move complex stakeholder issues to a decision.
Independent advice, with no panel seat or downstream sale to protect.
My approach
Principles-based, not prescriptive
Clear standards, with the flexibility to fit different organisations.
Evidence led
Grounded in stakeholder feedback, data and regulatory requirements.
Good governance drives continuous improvement. It isn't box-ticking compliance.
People first
Frameworks that protect and empower the people they are designed to serve.
Featured: CPS 510 readiness
Can your board prove it has the right skills? The revised CPS 510 will require board skills criteria that are measurable and verifiable, an annual assessment against them, and an external review every three years for significant financial institutions. Most skills matrices still rest on director self-assessment. I independently review your matrix and test it against the evidence, so your board can show its capability rather than assert it.
What I do
Governance
I help boards test whether their governance actually works - not just how the board runs, but the delegations, policies, risk settings and information flows behind every decision. I spent seven years as AIST's Executive Manager, Governance and Stewardship, and 13 years running national peak bodies, so the frameworks I build are ones I've had to live with myself.
Codes of practice
I develop and review codes of practice for regulated sectors. I created the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Governance Code in 2017 (used by over 50 superannuation funds), supervised its comprehensive 2022 review, and currently chair the Code Authority for the Fundraising Institute of Australia. I conducted the independent review of the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (2025–26).
Stakeholders and change
I design and facilitate stakeholder consultations on complex, sensitive issues. I've led industry-wide processes on insurance in superannuation, governance practices, and financial hardship -convening industry, regulators, consumer advocates and government. I build workable consensus while maintaining independence.
Why work with me?
Independent
I have no panel seat or downstream sale to protect. My advice is about what serves your members and your board.
Proven in code design
I created the AIST Governance Code and reviewed the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice. I now chair the FIA Code Authority.
I’ve done the job
For 13 years I led national peak bodies as CEO. The hard part of governance reform is rarely the drafting. It's holding the membership together while you do it.
Practical
Frameworks that balance aspiration with capability, built by someone who has had to live with them.
Recent work
Independent Review of the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (2025-26)
A comprehensive review of the code serving Australia's customer-owned banking sector. I consulted consumers, regulators and ~50 subscribing institutions to make sure the Code remains fit for purpose.
“Eva’s expertise, independence and strong stakeholder engagement were great assets in leading the review of the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice. She listened carefully to Code subscribers, consumer advocates, and regulators, maintaining impartiality while considering different perspectives. In her final report and recommendations, Eva balanced the sector’s distinctive people-first ethos with practical proposals that strengthen protections for mutual banking customers.”
Mike Lawrence, CEO, Customer Owned Banking Association
Let’s talk.
If you need independent advice on your governance, a code of practice, a contested decision or a merger, I'd welcome a conversation.