About me
For 13 years I led national peak bodies as CEO — running the organisation, answering to the board and holding diverse stakeholders together through mergers, hard-fought reform and public scrutiny. I'm a lawyer by training, with 25 years in governance. I know the pressures facing member-based organisations from the inside: serving members who don't always agree, meeting regulatory and community expectations and making sound decisions when the issues are contested and the room is watching.
Today I bring that experience to not-for-profits, associations and member organisations as an independent adviser. My work sits across three things: strengthening governance and board effectiveness; developing and reviewing codes of practice; and facilitating the complex, sensitive consultations where consensus is hard to reach. The thread through all of it is one conviction - good governance drives continuous improvement. It isn't box-ticking compliance.
I'm best known for building the AIST Governance Code, used by 50+ organisations and for independently reviewing the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice. Much of my career was in superannuation - as principal spokesperson for a $1.7 trillion sector through a Royal Commission and parliamentary inquiries - but the real skill travels to any organisation navigating change: moving high-stakes issues, and the people around them, to an agreed way forward.
Genuine independence is what I offer - objective advice focused on what serves your members and your board, with no panel seat or downstream sale to protect.
If you're thinking about how well your governance is working, or facing a decision where the stakeholders are the hard part, let's talk.
Career highlights
CEO, Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees
Led the peak body representing Australia's $1.7 trillion profit-to-member superannuation sector, overseeing a team of 38 and an annual budget of $9 million. Created the AIST Governance Code (2017), a principles-based standard that set new benchmarks for superannuation trustee governance, with an independent monitoring framework serving over 50 reporting entities.
Executive Manager – Governance & Stewardship, Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees
Built a new department to enhance governance standards across the superannuation sector. Pioneered initiatives to grow women in leadership and address gender imbalances on boards. Established productive relationships with regulators and stakeholders that drove improved industry outcomes.
CEO, Australian Lawyers Alliance
Led the national association representing plaintiff lawyers and consumer advocates. Championed consumer rights in legal reform and defended rights-based outcomes in policy debates.
Leadership roles
Current:
Chair, Code Authority, Fundraising Institute of Australia (2025–present)
Independent Reviewer, Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice (2025-26)
Past:
Council Member, ASX Corporate Governance Council (2017–2023)
Chair, Indigenous Superannuation Working Group (2015–2023)
Chair and Vice-Chair, World Pension Alliance (2020–2023)
Member, Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Advisory Board (2012-2019)
Director, Bernie Banton Foundation (2015-2018)
Director, Australians Detained Abroad (2012-2016)
Current projects
Just completed: Independent Review of Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice
Comprehensive review of the banking code serving Australia's customer-owned sector – consulting with consumers, regulators and ~50 subscribing institutions to ensure the Code remains fit-for-purpose.