Our people
Our people set Mutual Trust apart
As a Purpose-led organisation, our services are brought to life by a team of specialists who live out our values each day and are committed to Mutual Trust’s vision of being the exceptional Multi-Family Office.
Mutual Trust embodies an entrepreneurial spirit, philanthropic vision and commercial success with a family ethos that permeates everything we do. Our people enjoy a fun and engaging culture with a diverse range of skillsets and career pathways.
We work in a dynamic environment alongside industry-leading specialists with a client-centric focus.
A unique culture
Inclusion & Diversity
Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Committee provides governance, strategic direction and operational oversight across a broad range of I&D initiatives.
The committee is made up of nine senior leaders across the Firm who report to the CEO and the People, Culture and Remuneration Committee.
Reward & Recognition
High performers are celebrated through Mutual Trust’s reward and recognition program.
Our commitment to professional training and development supports the growth of our people, no matter where they are in their careers.
Workplace Flexibility
We operate in a hybrid working environment, supporting our people with flexible working hours and location (role dependant).
This enables our people to best meet their client, team and individual needs and circumstances.
Employee Wellbeing
We believe work life balance is important – for both the wellbeing of our people and for the benefit of the families we help.
In genuinely caring for the wellbeing of our team, our clients benefit from higher productivity, increased motivation and in turn, a focus on what matters most.
Gender equality matters
Mutual Trust encourages and promotes a commitment to gender equality. Along with supporting the development of our women employees through a formal mentoring program, there are a range of initiatives underway to positively impact the senior gender mix.
Our gender equality commitment has helped to significantly lift the number of women in senior roles. Currently, women make up 56% of our workforce and 43% of roles at the manager level and above. More broadly, our Partners and Leaders aspire to role model and reinforce the right behaviours to encourage flexibility, collaboration and a supportive work/life balance.
Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
We are proud to be recognised as an Employer of Choice by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). This citation verifies Mutual Trust’s action-based approach towards improving the working lives of women and men throughout the Firm.
At Mutual Trust, we proudly promote our Merlyn’s Circle initiative. Led by our Women Advisors, Merlyn’s Circle is a deliberate suite of events and engagements, providing opportunities for our families to connect and celebrate the important role women play in building economies, communities and enduring family legacies.
Mutual Trust’s Staff Giving Program
Our Staff Giving Program enables our people to choose to give their time, treasure and talent to support their philanthropic ideals, with Mutual Trust matching internal fundraising efforts.
Each year, our people come together voluntarily through this staff-led initiative to make a difference towards a designated area of focus. In 2022, we elected to support ending violence against women, in 2023 the focus was Climate Change. We were thrilled to achieve our goal of doubling Mutual Trust’s community impact through giving, volunteering and fundraising towards these important causes.
Our commitment to Reconciliation
Painted by Deborah Newenham-Coertse (Woods) and Melissa Spillman (Woods)
Our commitment to providing real impact and opportunities for Indigenous communities is formalised in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
Mutual Trust’s RAP sets out clear, actionable deliverables across reconciliation, relationships, respect, opportunities and governance and reflects the heartfelt manner in which our team are working to positively benefit Indigenous communities.
Positive reconciliation impact aligns closely with our Purpose of helping families achieve what matters most and the RAP expresses our team’s heartfelt ambition to advance Mutual Trust’s reconciliation journey.
Please click here to view the Mutual Trust RAP.
Painted by Deborah Newenham-Coertse (Woods) and Melissa Spillman (Woods)
“Our workplace is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. Every day we are challenged and we work hard, however we also make sure there’s time to enjoy a laugh and have fun. This is why we are a high performing team and how we deliver timely and quality services. It’s this balance that makes Mutual Trust such a rewarding place to work.”
Rachael Morgan – Director, Client Operations
Rachael Morgan – Director, Client Operations
Mutual Trust
Board & CEO
Our Board works closely with the Executive team to guide our growth strategy and oversee the governance and stewardship of the Firm.
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Peter Hay
Chairman
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Marshall E Baillieu
Non-Executive Director
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Charles Baillieu
Non-Executive Director
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Catherine Leahy
Non-Executive Director
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Peter Michell
Non-Executive Director
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Sidney Myer AM
Non-Executive Director
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Rupert Myer AO
Non-Executive Director
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Peter Yates AM
Non-Executive Director
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Nicola Davis
Non-Executive Director
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Phil Harkness
CEO and Managing Partner
“Our people work to solve complex family issues which span across multiple generations. This intellectual challenge, combined with a fun and engaging culture, makes Mutual Trust an organisation which people really want to be a part of.”
Phil Harkness – CEO and Managing Partner
Phil Harkness – CEO and Managing Partner
Leadership Team
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Phil Harkness
CEO and Managing Partner
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Jeff Steiner
Partner, Head of Family Office
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Jono Gourlay
Partner, Head of Wealth
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Rob Hemphill
Partner, Head of Development
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Maria Lui
Partner, Head of Client Experience
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Ralf Haase
Partner, Head of New South Wales
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Brad Simmons
Partner, Head of South Australia
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Julian Butler
Partner, Head of Western Australia
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Tracy Conlan
Partner, Head of Strategy
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Andrew Wood
Partner, Head of Operations and Head of Tax, Accounting, Consulting & Superannuation
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Jason Smith
Partner, Head of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer
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Damian Bowden
Partner, Head of People, Culture, Marketing & Communications
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Tom Holbeach
Head of Technology Solutions and Data