Episode 28

Welfare vs Warfare - the life of a modern SFO executive

Purpose of Wealth Podcast

About the episode

We know family offices are unique and idiosyncratic. But what about the people that run them?
In this episode of Purpose of Wealth, host Narelle Hooper chats with Tammy Hurst, director at Mutual Trust in Adelaide. Tammy has a surprising career journey that stretches from accounting and law, to the Royal Navy, to starting and running a single-family office (SFO) from scratch.

Tammy shares her personal experiences from her career managing complex family affairs, the challenging conversations required to guide families through tough investment decisions and some valuable lessons from military leadership training.
Plus, if you ever face a logistical challenge of moving an elderly cat across continents, Tammy’s your person.

Featuring

Narelle Hooper - Host

During more than 25 years as a business and finance journalist and editor Narelle has worked for Australia’s leading media groups including the ABC, Fairfax Media and SBS TV. She’s a former Editor of the Australian Financial Review’s BOSS Magazine and was founding co-chair of the Financial Review’s Women of Influence Awards.

Narelle is also a member of the board of the The Ethics Centre. She has held a number of non executive director roles over the past decade, including with the Tasmanian Development Board, the Documentary Australia Foundation and with women's entrepreneurship accelerator SBE Australia, which runs the Springboard Enterprises program.

Tammy Hurst - Guest

As Director, Family Office, Tammy leverages her accounting, tax and finance expertise,
along with a strategic and empathetic approach, to help families achieve their unique goals.
Tammy joined Mutual Trust in 2025 after spending five years leading a Single Family Office
with interests in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. This experience equipped Tammy with
unique insights into family wealth best practices and how to successfully navigate the
complexities of succession, investment and financial management, particularly for families
with international ties.
Tammy holds Fellowship status with the UK Institute of Chartered Accountants, is a
Chartered Director (NZ), gained Chartered Tax Advisor status (UK), and has completed a
diploma with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Tammy also has considerable
experience on Boards and Trusts across various industries and sectors, often dealing with
crisis scenarios and managing conflict.
Outside of her professional life, Tammy enjoys being active and spending time outdoors
with her young family. Exploring Australia's natural beauty is a favourite pastime, allowing
Tammy to balance her career with quality family time