We're pleased to welcome Annette King and Robin Burns to our board of directors, advancing our breadth of governance capability during a pivotal time of growth for U Ethical (UE).

Annette’s extensive experience leading significant financial institutions will prove beneficial as we expand further into new wholesale and adviser markets, competing with leading investment managers.

Annette has over 18 years’ experience in directorships including with MLC Australia, Swiss Re, AFG and FNZ Group.

She also has over 10 years in CEO or general manager roles in Australia, New Zealand and Asia with AXA, Mercer and Manulife. She is a qualified actuary, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is President and Chair at the Actuaries Institute in Australia.

Robin has over 30 years of senior executive experience in a range of financial services enterprises, comprising listed companies, superannuation funds and large international companies including AXA, Pimco Australia, Equity Trustees and Equip Super.

He has has held directorship appointments with BT Superannuation, Defence Health and The Financial Services Council (FSC).

Board chair Lindsay Mann commented on the appointments highlighting the timely advantage their depth of experience offers U Ethical.

“U Ethical has worked hard behind the scenes for the last two years on streamlining its back-office processes seen recently with unit registry outsourcing to IRESS. In addition, enhancement to UE’s process-driven investment approach – already proving competitive against larger players in the market.

“Annette and Robin will help shape and offer guidance during this next phase of growth,” Lindsay said.

Annette commented on her new role and the shift in investor mindsets from traditional, mainstream investing to understanding the possibilities of ESG and responsible investment – apparent in the market’s expansion over the last five years.

“U Ethical is Australia’s most experienced ethical investor, with its first funds established in 1985. Its north star of investing with purpose, and improving our world through the power of ethical investing, is a huge attraction for me – enabling me to also “give back” and improve our world for the future.

“The benefits of ethical investing, and ESG in general, are becoming continually apparent to advisers and investors alike, with U Ethical well positioned to deliver solutions for these responsible investment goals,” Annette said.

Robin also commented on his new role and how the nature of responsible investment is synonymous with yielding long-term, risk-adjusted financial results.

“Having been involved in investing on a professional basis for many years, with the aim of helping individuals achieve their long-term financial goals and security, I am very pleased to join and contribute to U Ethical, Robin said.

“By transcending its focus beyond solely financial returns, U Ethical aims to deliver sustainable, long-term results – both financially and through an environmental and social impact lens,” he said.

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Current and former directorship appointments.

Annette King:

Current appointments:

President and non-executive chair – Actuaries Institute Australia

Non-executive director – AFG

Non-executive director – Swiss Re

Non-executive director – MLC Australia

Recent former appointments:

Non-executive director – FNZ Group

Robin Burns:

Current appointments:

Non-executive director and chair of Board Investment Committee – BT Funds Management Ltd

Non-executive director, and chair of Audit and Risk & Compliance Committees – Defence Health Ltd

Member - External Compliance Committee, PIMCO Australia Ltd

Recent former appointments:

Non-executive director and chair – Indue Ltd

Non-executive director – 8IP Emerging Companies Ltd

Non-executive director – Financial Services Council