Australian Ethical Investment

Naomi Edwards
BSc(Hons), FIA FIAA

Non-executive chairperson

Naomi is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and has a high level of financial experience with practical conservation and environmental links. Naomi was partner in charge of the financial services industry group within Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Sydney and leader of the financial services practice for Trowbridge Consulting for many years. She has undertaken pro bono work providing actuarial assistance for environmental and social organisations. Naomi chairs the remuneration committee and is a member of the audit, compliance and risk committee. Naomi is also a director of Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd.

Howard Pender
BA(Hons)

Executive director

Howard received a university medal in economics from the Australian National University. He worked at the Commonwealth Treasury and then as senior economist at Bankers Trust in Sydney. From 1992 to 1997, he was a visiting fellow in the Centre for International and Public Law at the Australian National University. Howard has been a director of two other ASX-listed companies. Howard is the director of Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd and is a member of the investment committee.

James Thier
BSc(Hons)

Executive director

James has had academic experience as a researcher and has taught in the faculties of economics, environmental studies and geography at the University of New South Wales. He has held senior positions in local government and within peak bodies of the credit union movement. In 2007 James, undertook a Churchill Fellowship to examine the mechanisms of shareholder advocacy. James is the company’s business development manager and is also a director of Australian Ethical Superannuation Pty Ltd.

Dr Les Coleman
BEng(Hons), BSc(Hons), MEc, PhD

Non-executive director

Les has been a trustee of two superannuation funds; a director of ten companies involved in finance, retail and distribution; and has over 20 years experience in senior management positions with resources, manufacturing and finance companies in Australia and overseas. Since 2004, Les has been a senior lecturer at the Finance Department of the University of Melbourne. His particular research interests are corporate risk and non-financial indicators of superior firm performance, especially ethics and sustainability. He is a regular contributor to print and broadcast media, including four years as a weekly columnist with The Australian. Les is a member of the audit, compliance and risk committee.

Justine Hickey
BCom, GAICD, SAFin, CFA

Non-executive director

Justine has over 17 years experience in investment and funds management. She was Manager, Equities at Suncorp Investment Management in Brisbane until 2004 and previously a portfolio manager at Flemings Investment Management (now JP Morgan) in the UK. Justine is a director of Rio Tinto Staff Super Fund Pty Ltd and Chair of the Youth Enterprise Trust Foundation ‑ which supports disadvantaged youth. She is a member of the investment committees of Dalton Nicol Reid and the University of Melbourne. Justine chairs the investment committee and is a member of the remuneration and nomination committee.

André Morony
BEc(Hons), MEc

Non-executive director

André started his 30 years in the finance sector at the Commonwealth Treasury, where he worked in a number of financial policy areas. Here he also represented Australia for three years at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris. Subsequent roles include chief economist and chief investment officer at Bankers Trust Australia (BT), and chief investment officer at Australian Reward Investment Alliance (ARIA). He currently sits on the boards of RBS Funds Management (Australia) Ltd, GESB Mutual Limited, Challenger LBC Terminals Jersey Limited and Steam Packet Group, and is also on the Catholic Superannuation Fund investment committee. André is a member of the investment committee.