Media inquiries should be directed to Alicia Kokocinski, General Manager, Marketing and Communications

on 03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024 or akokocinski@eqt.com.au.

Read our most recent Media Releases or search for more.

  • Clearview and Guild appoint Equity Trustees, expanding super trustee business

    The Equity Trustees independent super trustee business continues to grow following the announcement of two new clients at the outset of 2024.

    The Equity Trustees independent super trustee business continues to grow following the announcement of two new clients at the outset of 2024.

    Equity Trustees has just been appointed the superannuation trustee of Clearview Retirement Plan as well as Guild Retirement Fund; Guild Super, the super fund for the pharmacy and childcare industries, transitioned to Equity Trustees as part of existing client Future Group’s acquisition of Guild’s superannuation business in December 2023.

    In total the two funds will add an additional $5bn in funds under supervision, and it means the leading trustee will now have responsibility and oversight of those funds for an additional 110,000 super fund members.

    General Manager Client and Strategic Planning at Equity Trustees David Warren said he is pleased that so many Australian superannuation funds have made the decision to trust Equity Trustees with this important governance responsibility.

    “We are honoured that now 14 super funds have engaged us as their independent trustee and trusted partner supporting them by overseeing the management of products and funds for nearly 800,000 members with around $59.8bn of funds under supervision,” he explains.

    “We see it as testament to the benefits of having an independent trustee which sits at arm’s length to the commercial and operational aspects of managing a superannuation fund and its products.”

    “This appointment reaffirms Equity Trustees as the foremost provider of independent superannuation trustee services in Australia,” Mr Warren concluded.

    More about Equity Trustees Superannuation Trustee services is available at: www.eqt.com.au/superannuation

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    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    +61 03 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

  • Latest Felton Bequest gifts to feature in NGV summer blockbuster Triennial

    Two contemporary works of art have been purchased and gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and will be accessible free to the public thanks to one of Australia’s oldest charitable trusts, the Felton Bequest.

    Two contemporary works of art have been purchased and gifted to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and will be accessible free to the public thanks to one of Australia’s oldest charitable trusts, the Felton Bequest

    The works will premiere at the NGV summer blockbuster Triennial 2023 free exhibition which runs from this month until April 2024.

    Reaching Out (2022) is a larger-than-life bronze statue British artist Thomas J Price, one of the most influential British contemporary artists of his generation. This work encourages observers to contemplate issues of race, identity, representation, and power while looking at the sculpture of a casually dress young woman looking at her phone.

    The examiner (2023) is a mirror-polished statue of a young man created especially for the Triennial by Berlin-based duo Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset who have challenged and reshaped the way in which art is presented and experienced by exploring themes related to identity, sexuality and the human body, as well as the physical and digital spaces that people create and occupy. This work features a polished stainless-steel man who leans on a Juliet-style balcony. With its reflective surface, the sculpture creates new images as one walks around it, the whole object reflecting and changing the viewer's perception.

    The Felton Bequest was established in 1904 and is recognised as Australia’s first great philanthropic gift. It remains the most valuable bequest ever made to the arts in Australia with the artworks gifted to the NGV from the Bequest now valued at $2.8 billion.

    “The Triennial years at the NGV are highpoints in the vibrant cultural life of Melbourne and the nation. Alfred Felton was a man who valued art and creativity and his Bequest has been foundational to building the NGV’s outstanding, encyclopaedic collection of art,” said Rupert Myer AO, Chairman of the Felton Bequests’ Committee.

    Alfred Felton was a successful merchant and manufacturer establishing businesses in the pharmaceuticals, chemicals and glass industries. In addition to his love of the arts, he was also known for his association with The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, where he lived until his death in 1904.

    The Felton Bequest divides its income between the NGV and charitable causes that support women and children. It is one of more than 650 charitable trusts managed by Equity Trustees, which distributed more than $120 million in grants and bequests in the past financial year.

    “We are proud to be trustee for Alfred Felton’s Bequest which continues to grow and provide the gift of art and funding to causes and programs he cared about in his lifetime,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Philanthropy and Community Trusts, Equity Trustees.

    More about Equity Trustees Philanthropy, including the 2023 Giving Highlights available at www.eqt.com.au/philanthropy.

     

    Download the full Media Release  

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528) and Australian Executor Trustees Limited (ABN 84 007 869 794) which are part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Eley Griffiths Group selects Equity Trustees as RE for new Mid Cap equities strategy

    Eley Griffiths Group (EGG), an employee-owned, boutique equity investment manager, has chosen Equity Trustees to be the responsible entity of its new fund, the Eley Griffiths Group Mid Cap Fund.

    Andrew Godfrey, Executive General Manager, Corporate and Superannuation Trustee Services said: “We are delighted to be selected as the responsible entity for this Mid Cap Fund by EGG and look forward to working alongside EGG and help guide their third fund.”

    The EGG Mid Cap Fund principally invests in Australian and New Zealand companies listed on the ASX or NSX that fall outside the S&P/ASX50 Index. Many of these companies were once successful small cap stocks that EGG has researched extensively over its 20-year history as a small and emerging companies’ specialist.

    EGG Portfolio Manager David Allingham said, “Companies that reside in this segment of the market tend to have a number of attractive attributes such as experienced management teams, well established and profitable business models, sound governance practices and deep market liquidity.”

    He said the hurdle to launch a new strategy at EGG is very high and there needs to be a clear opportunity for EGG to provide a differentiated return profile for asset allocators. “We are looking forward to deploying EGG’s style-agnostic investment process in the mid cap segment of the market, with the aim of providing investors a portfolio that can navigate the full market and economic cycle.”

    “The EGG Mid Cap Fund is managed by an experienced investment team with diverse skill sets and a broad capability across the market. The team also has specialist expertise in analysing resources, which accounts for around 35% of the Fund’s benchmark via the Materials and Energy sector,” said Mr Allingham.

    Equity Trustees’ Mr Godfrey added: “Our diligence and experience in funds governance allows us to work with a wide range of asset management firms, across a diverse range of boutique investment philosophies.”
     

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Lombard Odier selects Equity Trustees for Sustainable Private Credit

    Lombard Odier Investment Managers (LOIM), the asset management division of Swiss-headquartered Lombard Odier has selected Equity Trustees as trustee of its inaugural offering in Australia, the LOIM Sustainable Private Credit (Australia) Unit Trust.

    Lombard Odier Investment Managers (LOIM), the asset management division of Swiss-headquartered Lombard Odier has selected Equity Trustees as trustee of its inaugural offering in Australia, the LOIM Sustainable Private Credit (Australia) Unit Trust.

    Andrew Godfrey, Executive General Manager, Superannuation and Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are pleased to be selected as the trustee for this differentiated Australian offering and are excited to work closely with LOIM within this growing impact driven asset class.”

    The Trust is the 227-year old Group’s first offering in the Australian market through AFM Investment Partners (“AFM”) and recognises the substantial profile of Australian investors within private credit alongside their growing commitment to sustainable investing.

    As a feeder into the existing LOIM Sustainable Private Credit Strategy’s Luxembourg-based master platform, the Trust seeks to provide investors with capital preservation and compelling risk adjusted returns via senior secured private loans to predominantly North American providers of climate solutions.

    Vincent Magnenat, Asia Regional Head and Global Head of Strategic Alliances at Lombard Odier, said, “We are pleased to announce the Australian launch of our flagship strategy that seeks to generate measurable global climate impact and capitalise on what we see as “green alpha” potential – investable opportunities where the environmental transition may be a key driver of growth. Providing investor access to bespoke income-producing investments within climate transition market niches, the strategy seeks to deliver a purposeful integrated approach, catalysing the resources of Lombard Odier’s dedicated sustainability research platform.”

    LOIM is the asset management arm of Lombard Odier, one of the oldest Swiss private banks with over 225 years of experience. A global wealth and asset manager, and a leader in sustainable investing, the Group has total client assets of AUD 517 billion as at 30 June 2023. LOIM is a global business with a network of 13 offices and more than 170 investment professionals across Europe, Asia and North America, with assets under management of AUD 122 billion (as at 30 June 2023) .

    Peter Munns, Head of ADF and Anglican Funds, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, said: “We welcome the entry of Lombard Odier to the Australian market with the establishment of the Sustainable Private Credit strategy through a local feeder fund. Sustainable and impact investing is an area of clear interest to Anglican Funds given our faith-based philosophy and Lombard Odier is a global leader in this space."

    John Donovan, Managing Director of AFM commented, “We are delighted to introduce LOIM’s dedicated sustainable investment capabilities to Australian investors, with the aim to provide outstanding sustainable investment solutions.”

    Mr Godfrey added: “Our expertise and years of experience in funds governance pairs well with LOIM’s incredible longevity and history in private banking and asset management.”

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    [1] At Lombard Odier, “Green Alpha” refers to companies which are likely to perform better financially in an environmentally-aligned scenario, compared to consensus. To assess green alpha, market tipping points linked to emerging regulation, cost-down curves, and the pricing in of environmental externalities are analysed, before arriving at the total addressable market (TAM) potential – either quantitatively or qualitatively. Companies exposed to TAMs that are likely materially in excess of market consensus are considered to be exposed to green alpha. Although it is believed that there are investable opportunities related to these transitions, there can therefore be no guarantee of excess performance.

    [1] Based on 1 CHF = 1.6774 AUD (as of 30 June 2023), available here .

    [1] Based on 1 CHF = 1.6774 AUD (as of 30 June 2023), available here. For more information on LOIM, please visit: www.am.lombardodier.com  

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    Media inquiries

    Guy McKanna

    Senior Consultant, Honner          

    +61 (0) 430 355 985

    guy@honner.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • New research grants will help reduce infectious diseases and heart disease

    Viertel Foundation awards $4 million to some of the nation’s top medical researchers.

    Viertel Foundation awards $4 million to some of the nation’s top medical researchers

    Eight Australian medical researchers, who are among the best and brightest in the world today, will now receive additional funding through some of the country’s largest medical grants.

    More than $4.1 million has been awarded today to three Australian medical researchers through the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships in association with Bellberry Ltd.

    A further $450,000 was awarded in one-year grants to an additional five clinician researchers.

    The 2023 Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellows, who will each receive $1.375 million over five years to support their work, are:

    Dr Simon Foster,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute - awarded Belberry - Viertel Fellow for 2023
    Dr Jennifer Juno, Peter Doherty Institute for Infectious and Immunity
    A/Prof Daniel Pellicci, Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

    For the first time in the awards, all five of the $90,000 one-year Clinical Investigator awards were awarded to women scientists:

    Dr Celina Jin, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research
    Dr Prasanti Kotagiri, University of Melbourne
    Dr Elizabeth Paratz Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
    Dr Claire Gordon,Austin Health
    Dr Anna Balabanski, Melbourne Health - The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

    Since establishment, the Viertel Foundation has awarded 64 Senior Medical Research Fellowships and 154 Clinical Investigator awards, ensuring important medical and health conditions, and the treatments for them, can be researched.

    “Post the COVID pandemic, we owe so much to the medical research community,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees. “These past few years show what can be achieved when funding is provided to support experts to collaborate on major health crises.”

    “As one of the largest philanthropic funders of medical research in Australia, we are always working with the sector to ensure funding is directed to make the greatest impact on the health challenges we have now – and ahead of us. That is the power of the legacy left by Sylvia and Charles Viertel more than 30 years ago.”

    Bellberry CEO, Kylie Sproston, announced: “We are delighted that Dr Simon Foster is the Bellberry-Viertel Fellow for 2023, and becomes the fifth Bellberry-Viertel Fellow selected through our ongoing collaboration with the Viertel Foundation and Equity Trustees.”

    “The Fellowships provide a five-year period of support and certainty that allows highly talented mid-career researchers to focus on and deepen their specific area of research. We know from the alumni that this period of stability and productivity provides an acceleration to some of Australia’s most talented future research leaders, creating a momentum that carries through their research careers,” added Ms Sproston.

    Professor Christina Mitchell AO, who is Co-Chair of the Viertel Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board, along with Associate Professor Paul Ekert, said the candidates for 2023 exhibited the hallmark of all Viertel Foundation Fellows: exceptional quality and dedication.

    “Our congratulations go not just to the recipients of this year’s awards, but to all applicants who presented their impressive work to the Advisory Board. Each year we are impressed by what is being achieved by the Australian medical research community. We are proud to play a part in developing this extraordinary pool of talent and ensuring this important work continues,” Professor Mitchell said.

    The Viertel Foundation is managed in partnership with co-trustees Justice Debra Mullins AO (Chair), Paul de Silva and Peter Evans, and is one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, established with an initial bequest of approximately $60 million. Today the Foundation is worth around $215 million and distributes approximately $8 million annually.

    More about the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Foundation is available here.
    More about Bellberry is available here.

    Fellowship Research Project Summaries

    Dr Simon Foster, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

    Dr Foster leads the Pathological Signalling team within the Cardiac Bioengineering Group, using the Institute’s world-leading cardiac organoids to explore different aspects of cellular communication and how they are dysregulated in heart disease. Cardiovascular disease results in a quarter of Australian deaths and accounts for one of the biggest health costs in the country. Dr Foster is undertaking ground-breaking work to develop therapies targeting cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, using collaborative networks established overseas in Denmark and the UK, As such, Dr Foster is helping to resolve a major unmet need in cardiovascular treatments.

    Dr Jennifer Juno, Peter Doherty Institute for Infections and Immunity

    Dr Juno is a laboratory head at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity with a strong interest in T cell immunology in the context of infectious disease. Her research focuses on understanding how T cells are required for vaccines to generate protective immunity against viruses. Effective vaccines are key to reducing the health and economic impacts of infectious diseases. The recent development of vaccines against COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has highlighted the importance of new vaccine design approaches to maximise protection against infection and severe disease.

    Associate Professor Daniel Pellicci, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

    Associate Professor Pellicci completed his PhD in 2013 at the University of Melbourne, prior to starting the Cellular Immunology laboratory at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in 2018. His research is focused on understanding the role of unconventional T cells in fighting infectious diseases and harnesses state-of-the-art technologies to examine how unconventional T cells function in the body and can help future vaccine studies to prevent infectious diseases.


    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Guy McKenna
    Honner PR
    0430 355 985

    Alison Rogers
    Bellberry Media Enquiries
    0488 995 868

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Wilson Asset Management selects Equity Trustees for unit trust

    Wilson Asset Management, an Australian investment manager for eight leading listed investment companies (LIC), has appointed Equity Trustees to be responsible entity for its new Wilson Asset Management Leaders Fund.

    Wilson Asset Management, an Australian investment manager for eight leading listed investment companies (LIC), has appointed Equity Trustees to be responsible entity for its new Wilson Asset Management Leaders Fund.

    Andrew Godfrey, Executive General Manager, Corporate and Superannuation Trustee Services said: “We are excited to be selected as the responsible entity role for this unit trust by Wilson Asset Management and look forward to working closely with the team.”

    The Wilson Asset Management Leaders Fund will provide investors access to an actively managed investment portfolio, comprised of large-cap companies listed predominately on the ASX within the S&P/ASX 200 Index, with compelling fundamentals, a robust macroeconomic thematic and a catalyst.

    Its aim is to provide investors a combination of capital growth and income over the medium to long term, in addition to preserving capital. The Fund will replicate the investment strategy of WAM Leaders (ASX: WLE), an Australian ASX-listed investment company which listed in 2016.

    Wilson Asset Management was established in 1997 by Geoff Wilson and currently manages over $5 billion of funds under management for over 130,000 retail investors. Wilson Asset Management is the investment manager for a diversified portfolio of listed investment companies investing in Australian large-cap equities, Australian small-to-mid-cap equities, global equities, Australian microcap equities, discounted asset opportunities and alternative assets.

    “Our expertise and decades of experience in fund governance means we’re well placed to work effectively with Wilson Asset Management,” added Mr Godfrey.

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • How charitable trusts, not-for-profits & endowments are viewing fixed income investments

    Higher fixed income returns are benefitting a wide range of investors, such as charitable trusts, not-for-profits and endowments, according to Equity Trustees Asset Management.

    Higher fixed income returns are benefitting a wide range of investors, such as charitable trusts, not-for-profits and endowments, according to Equity Trustees Asset Management.

    For those not-for-profit (NFPs) investors who may have a conservative risk appetite and/or shorter-term investment time horizons, fixed income can fulfil a higher allocation of their investment strategy today, notes Grant Mundell, Investment Specialist at Equity Trustees Asset Management.

    Mr Mundell says: “In early 2022, we were underweighting fixed income at a time of very low interest rates. At that time, an investment in fixed income offered little upside, but larger than normal downside for a perceived defensive asset class.”

    Earlier this year, he said Equity Trustees Asset Management moved to a neutral allocation, and we are now looking to move overweight, given:

    • Fixed income provides stability to a portfolio as volatility in equity markets rise and dividends potentially fall.
    • The income from fixed income is more compelling than previously.
    • The diversification benefits are more balanced today.
    • The relative valuation of fixed income to equities is more compelling at present.

    Mr Mundell said: “Charitable funds that are focused on income for payments to beneficiaries face potentially falling dividends from equities, with the outlook for FY24 earnings and dividends in Australian equities having been downgraded over the past six months. The resources sector, in particular, has been impacted negatively. This leaves trustees scouring for supplementary income sources.

    “By contrast, a diversified portfolio of short-dated domestic bonds compares favourably to both residential investment property and domestic shares (excluding franking credits) and are currently yielding ~4%.”

    He added: “Investors can find appealing fixed income returns without having to increase duration (out across the interest rate curve) significantly to achieve more than 4% returns. Yields of around 6% are available from a range of investment grade securities and appear attractive when compared to other risk assets.

    “An investor no longer needs to invest in sub investment grade bonds to realise an appealing return,” he concluded.

    Find out more about Equity Trustees Asset Management or contact us at eqtassetmanagement@eqt.com.au.

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Guy McKanna

    Honner PR         

    0430 355 985

    guy@honner.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • FIIG Securities selects Equity Trustees for new Australian Fixed Income Fund

    FIIG Securities, one of Australia’s leading independent fixed income providers, has selected Equity Trustees to be the trustee of its new fund, the FIIG Australian Bond Fund.

    FIIG Securities, one of Australia’s leading independent fixed income providers, has selected Equity Trustees to be the trustee of its new fund, the FIIG Australian Bond Fund.

    Andrew Godfrey, Executive General Manager, Corporate and Superannuation Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: ‘’We are delighted to be selected as trustee for the new Australian Bond Fund from FIIG and are focused on working with them in this continuously evolving fixed income asset class”.

    The FIIG Australian Bond Fund aims to provide investors with capital stability and income through a portfolio of investment grade Australian fixed interest securities that include government and corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, cash, and enhanced cash instruments. The fund’s objective is to produce returns in excess of the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+Yr benchmark over three-year rolling periods.

    Alex Welch, CEO of FIIG Securities said, “We are excited to be working with EQT to launch the FIIG Australian Bond Fund, which will provide investors with access to diversified fixed interest securities with the dual goal of protecting capital while also generating excess returns.”

    “Our active management process paired with our investment philosophy means that investors will gain exposure to a professionally managed, broad range of fixed income securities,” said Mr Welch.

    Established in 1998, FIIG currently manages $300m in individually managed accounts across four fixed income strategies and a further $5bn of funds under advice. FIIG’s sole focus on the fixed income asset class allows for a specialised approach to providing investors such as private clients, financial advisers, not-for-profit and institutions, with a targeted range of products that aim to provide stability and consistent income.

    “As the leading advocate of corporate bonds, our vision has been to pioneer an environment in Australia where the fixed income asset class is well understood and easily accessed, offering investors a diverse range of fixed income solutions. We believe our in-market expertise, track record, alongside the significant increase in yields and return opportunity in the bond asset class, makes the FIIG Australian Bond Fund a compelling proposition for investors, said Mr Welch.”

    Mr Godfrey added: “Our history and expertise in funds governance allows us to complement FIIG’s depth of experience within the fixed income universe”.

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • $50 billion milestone for Equity Trustees super business

    Leading independent super trustee Equity Trustees has surpassed the $50 billion in funds under supervision (FUS) milestone following the latest inflow to the portfolio of funds under its trusteeship.

     

    Leading independent super trustee Equity Trustees has surpassed the $50 billion in funds under supervision (FUS) milestone following the latest inflow to the portfolio of funds under its trusteeship.

    The past seven years have seen the specialist trustee company apply its 140 years of experience to the superannuation industry with great success – growing the super trustee business from $2.9 bn FUS in 2017 to just over $50 bn today.

    Equity Trustees is the superannuation trustee of the Centric Super Fund which was launched in December 2020 and has since grown rapidly – recently announcing it had doubled its funds under administration (FUA) with members increasing more than twofold. Last month Centric transferred members from encircle Superannuation to Centric Super, which grew the fund from under $1bn to just over $3bn, which also meant total FUS for the trustee tipped past the $50bn milestone.

    “Funds such as Centric are growing and innovating their product and service offerings to meet the changing demands and requirements of Australians who recognise that superannuation is one of their most important assets – and the path to a secure retirement. It makes sense that there is also growing recognition of the importance of an independent, specialised and robust trustee function,” said Andrew Godfrey, Executive General Manager of the recently combined Corporate and Superannuation Trustee Services division of Equity Trustees.

    According to the latest APRA statistics for June 2023, superannuation in Australia has grown to around $3.5tn over the last financial year, up by 7.6% over the prior year.

    “This growth is also consistent with what we’ve seen in our super business, which clocked up 630,000 superannuation fund members at 2023 year-end - representing an increase of 61,000 members since 30 June 2022, and more significant growth since 2017 when we started with around 93,000 members,” Mr Godfrey said.

    “Our super trustee team has also expanded over the past six years from just a handful of specialists in the early days to a team of 40 experts in superannuation-focussed oversight and performance, risk and compliance, regulation, claims resolution and governance.

    “We have led the way in the emerging market for superannuation funds who want to keep the trustee function at arm’s length from the business of promoting, managing and administering superannuation funds. The successful application of our trustee experience – traditionally provided to individuals and families – but now provided to corporate and superannuation sectors confirms our dedication to being Australia’s leading trustee company,” Mr Godfrey concluded.

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

  • Independent super trustee reports record year with 29% increase in funds under supervision

    Equity Trustees consolidated its position as Australia’s foremost provider of independent superannuation trustee services, reporting 29% growth in funds under supervision for more than 630,000 superannuation fund members.

    Equity Trustees consolidated its position as Australia’s foremost provider of independent superannuation trustee services, reporting 29% growth in funds under supervision for more than 630,000 superannuation fund members.

    The growth was partly boosted by the addition of a large portfolio of small APRA funds, courtesy of the acquisition of Australian Executor Trustees by Equity Trustees in December 2022.

    The new financial year heralded another strong start for the superannuation trustee business, with the appointment by Future Super (effective 1 July) and a pipeline of appointments tipping the business over the $50 billion milestone for funds under supervision.

    “Equity Trustees showed considerable foresight when it made the strategic decision to apply its 140+ years of trustee capability and experience and focus it on the ever growing – and ever more complex – superannuation funds industry,” said Andrew Godfrey, Executive General Manager of the newly combined Corporate and Superannuation Trustee Services division.

     “Our funds under supervision were up around 29% to $44.8bn in the financial year ending 30 June 2023, with 630,000 superannuation fund members, representing an increase of 61,000 members over that same period.

    “It reflects that many superannuation funds and their administrators are appreciating the value of outsourcing the superannuation trustee function on a number of levels. One is the value of having a trustee at ‘arm’s length’ from the commercials of the business.

    “The other is efficiency of engaging a specialist provider which has significant breadth and depth of specialist experience in compliance, governance and oversight – including investing in systems that support robust oversight and staying abreast of evolving regulatory requirements,” Mr Godfrey explained.

    The responsibility of the trustee of any superannuation fund is enormous – this is the role that looks out for members who rely on their superannuation as the nest egg for a secure retirement. For most, it is the biggest asset aside from the family home.”

    “Our growing and experienced team plus the sustained growth in interest in speaking to us about superannuation trusteeship confirms our strategy – which is to remain focussed on our core business and being Australia’s leading trustee company,” Mr Godfrey concluded.

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    ________________________________________

    Media Inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    +6103 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

     

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. .

  • Equity Trustees reports record-breaking $122 million in grants and bequests

    Leading philanthropic funding provider, Equity Trustees today announced a record year of granting, with the total value of grants exceeding the $122 million mark for the just the second time in the company’s 144-year-old history, and up by more than 32% from last financial year.

    Leading philanthropic funding provider, Equity Trustees today announced a record year of granting, with the total value of grants exceeding the $122 million mark for the just the second time in the company’s 144-year-old history, and up by more than 32% from last financial year.

    The first time was in 2019, due to an extraordinary one-off bequest of $30 million to the Art Gallery of South Australia, leaving 2023 as a record-breaking year for grants from charitable trusts[1] managed by Equity Trustees
    .
    The breakdown includes $90.6 million of charitable trusts, $1million worth of grants from community (or Native Title) trusts and $10.4m comprising bequests, estates, and other trusts.

    An additional $20m from Australian Executor Trustees (AET) amplified the total amount, confirming Equity Trustees as the leading provider of philanthropy and charitable trust services in the market.

    This translates into more than 5000 individual grants to community, for purpose and charitable organisations nationally in one year.

    “It is a significant high point for Equity Trustees and reflects the extraordinary achievements and generosity of everyday Australians in contributing to the community through structured giving,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “The development of our new Philanthropy Portal, which offers an accessible entry point of $5000 minimum for opening a philanthropic fund, and 24/7 online access to accounts and granting via desktop or mobile devices, will further open the door to more people getting involved and building a philanthropic culture in Australia,” he said.

    Mr O’Brien added that by making it easier to contribute regularly and with less financial hurdles, the Equity Trustees’ Giving Portal will mean philanthropic giving will be in the reach of everyday Australians and businesses.

    Equity Trustees noted that overall levels of granting are generally back to close to their pre-covid levels. For example, the Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation (ECF) has seen an 85% increase in its donations over the past two years.

    “Moving into the financial year 2024, we are well positioned to implement our granting strategies to reach our strategic target of deepening community impact,” said Mr O’Brien.

    “Our commitment to learning and development, along with our increased ability to capture and report distribution data, in combination with added breadth and capability from AET, is critical to being well placed moving forward as a leading funder in the philanthropic sector,” he said.

    Over the past six years Equity Trustees has stewarded more than $600 million of grants and bequests to community, for-purpose and charitable organisations nationally.
    Find out more about Equity Trustees Philanthropy: www.eqt.com.au/philanthropy.

    [1] Excludes bequests

    Over the past six years Equity Trustees has stewarded more than $600 million of grants and bequests to community, for-purpose and charitable organisations nationally.

    Find out more about Equity Trustees Philanthropy: www.eqt.com.au/philanthropy

     

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    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees announces Superconcepts partnership for AET platforms business

    Equity Trustees (ASX: EQT) today announced a partnership with SuperConcepts [1] to take on the clients of the platforms business of Australian Executor Trustees (AET), ensuring they will continue to receive specialist superannuation and platform services.

    The partnership delivers on the expectation noted in the acquisition announcement last year [2] to find alternative providers for the platforms business, which was not core to Equity Trustees’ focus on trusteeship.
     
    The AET platforms business, which was part of the acquisition of AET, comprises SMSF administration and custody, Platform Management Services (PMS) and Small APRA Fund (SAF) administration and custody.

    Specialist SAF administrator SuperConcepts developed, owns and operates the only tailored SAF platform (SuperMate) in the Australian market and is a market leading provider of SMSF administration with strong operational knowledge of the AET platforms business.

    Following an extensive process conducted by Equity Trustees, the agreement will mean:
    1. Equity Trustees’ superannuation trustee will have an outsourcing agreement for SuperConcepts to provide SAF administration, and
    2. A referral agreement which will mean AET will refer SMSF and PMS clients to SuperConcepts.

    Communications to SMSF and PMS advisers and clients will commence shortly to notify them of AET’s planned exit from SMSF and PMS services and how the streamlined transfer to SuperConcepts aims to minimise disruption to service. The separate transition of SAF administration to SuperConcepts is expected to be completed in 2H FY24.

    “We will be working closely with SuperConcepts, and advisers and clients of the platforms business to ensure the process, and any options available to them, are clearly communicated and the transition process is efficient,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “In line with our core capability, Equity Trustees will continue to have a role by providing SAF trusteeship through our superannuation licensed entity (Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited) and the provision of select non-standard asset custody for the SAFs (via another Equity Trustees subsidiary).

    “We are pleased to have reached an arrangement with the market leading provider of administration services, which is an excellent outcome for clients of this part of the AET business. For Equity Trustees, the exit from the platforms business enables us to maintain our focus on our core business of trustee services,” he concluded.

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    Media Inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    +6103 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    ________________________________________

    [1] More about Superconcepts is available at www.superconcepts.com.au

    [2] ASX Announcement: EQT Holdings Limited announced $135m acquisition of Australian Executor Trustees Limited and $125 equity raising – 22 August 2022

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trustee services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Equity Trustees to combine Super and Corporate Trustee businesses

    Equity Trustees (ASX:EQT) today announced it would combine its Superannuation Trustee Services (STS) and Corporate Trustee Services (CTS) businesses.

    Equity Trustees (ASX:EQT) today announced it would combine its Superannuation Trustee Services (STS) and Corporate Trustee Services (CTS) businesses.

    The combined businesses, to operate under the Corporate and Superannuation Trustee Services (CSTS) banner, will have almost $150 billion in funds under supervision.

    “There are considerable similarities between the Superannuation business and the Fund Services part of CTS, and it makes good commercial sense to bring them together,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “We see very clear alignment of the operating models, and there is an opportunity to capitalise on the strengths of each business.

    “This will simplify our overall business into two clear markets – a wholesale or corporate business in the combined Corporate and Superannuation Trustee Services and a private client-focused business in Trustee and Wealth Services (TWS).

    “It also makes sense given the increased scale of our TWS business following the successful acquisition of Australian Executor Trustees (AET).

    “This new business structure will enhance our ability to deliver on our strategic objectives and vision to be Australia’s leading trustee services provider.”

    Andrew Godfrey will lead the combined business as EGM Corporate & Superannuation Trustee Services.

    Mr O’Brien said: “Andrew has the leadership, breadth of experience, relationships and background to take on this expanded role.”

    After 18 years at Equity Trustees and 50 years in the financial services industry, Russell Beasley has decided to transition to retirement. He will take up the role of Deputy EGM - Fund Services. In this role, he will be responsible for the Fund Services relationship management.

    “Russell has played a critical role in leading us to be the number one provider of Responsible Entity services in Australia, and we are delighted that we will continue to benefit from his expertise as he transitions to retirement,” said Mr O’Brien.

    “Equity Trustees will continue to benefit from Russell’s wealth of experience, industry knowledge, capability and the exceptionally strong client relationships he has formed over the years.”

    Mr O’Brien said the governance, including a clear separation of decision-making for each licensed entity, and the financial reporting structure would not change.

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    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients, including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trustee services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Three Bendigo organisations awarded Abbott Foundation grants

    Each year the Frances & Harold Abbott Foundation invites applications for funding between $5,000 – $40,000 for organisations serving the Bendigo region.

    Each year the Frances & Harold Abbott Foundation invites applications for funding between $5,000 – $40,000 for organisations serving the Bendigo region.

    The legacy of well-known Bendigo businessman Harold Athelstane Abbott who passed away aged 90 in 1979, and his wife Frances who died in 1961 aged 71 years, is proudly managed by Australia’s leading trustee and philanthropy specialists, Equity Trustees.

    This year’s successful applications have just been announced, with three grants of $40,000 awarded:

    • ARC Justice - Bendigo Family Violence Justice Project. ARC Justice provides free legal information, casework and advice to central Victorians who can't afford a lawyer or who are ineligible for legal aid. It focuses on high need areas of family violence, child protection and people with multiple and complex social and/or health needs. The project is an integrated service partnership established between Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre and specialist family violence service - the Centre for Non-Violence in Bendigo. This highly valuable partnership increases the safety and access to justice for women experiencing family violence in the region.

    • Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) - Gathering Space initiative. This organisation has been granted funds to develop an undercover outdoor gathering space at BDAC’s main campus, to accompany the opening of a new medical facility in 2024. Community gatherings, ceremonies and events are vital for community visiting BDAC, an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation providing primary healthcare to Greater Bendigo and surrounding areas since 2001. Current outdoor facilities consist of a car park and small grassed areas adjacent to pathways, with no practical area to hold groups or events. The addition of an undercover outdoor area with seating will be highly valued by community members at BDAC.

    • Bendigo Health for Outdoor Paediatric Rehabilitation Play Space. The grant to Bendigo Health will support the development of rehabilitation play space in Bendigo. Paediatric patients need an all-abilities outdoor play space specifically built for paediatric patients. This much needed space also extends to other patients and the community at large, to use during rehabilitation sessions and to be available whenever young children just want to play. The planned playground is slated for an area near the Clinical Services Campus on Lucan Street. More than 100 paediatric patients from across the Loddon Malee region are treated by Bendigo Health at any time and the new playground will be used by clinicians and therapists as part of their treatment, as well as outside therapy sessions.

    As part of the selection process, priority is given to applications which demonstrate a clear commitment to:

    • Community consultation and engagement in the design and delivery of the project or program to support the vulnerable in the Bendigo region
    • The provision of equipment and capital infrastructure that will support the vulnerable in the Bendigo region
    • Projects or programs which involve collaboration or the development of partnerships between organisations operating in this area.

    The Frances and Harold Abbott Foundation is currently valued at over $4 million and distributing around $120,000 annually to the community of Bendigo and the surrounding Loddon Mallee region – the place the couple built their home, and where their partnership thrived.

    The Foundation became a part of the Equity Trustees stellar list of leading philanthropic trusts following Equity Trustees purchase of the Sandhurst trusts and estates business in March 2017.

    More about Equity Trustees Philanthropic services is available at: www.eqt.com.au/philanthropy

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    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    ARC:

    Damian Stock, Chief Executive Officer, ARC Justice.

    5445 0990 / 0404 034 069

    Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative:

    Hayley Mansfield

    communications@bdac.com.au

    Bendigo Health:

    Cindy Clarkson, Coordinator Bendigo Health Fundraising & Foundation

    CClarkson@bendigohealth.org.au

    5454 9175 / 0427 719 166

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trustee services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Blackwattle Investment Partners selects Equity Trustees

    Blackwattle Investment Partners, a boutique equity investment manager, has chosen Equity Trustees to be the responsible entity for its first range of Australian Equity funds the Blackwattle Small Cap Quality Fund, Blackwattle Large Cap Quality Fund, Blackwattle Mid Cap Quality Fund and Blackwattle Long-short 130/30 Quality Fund.

    Blackwattle Investment Partners selects Equity Trustees for inaugural range of Australian equity funds

    Blackwattle Investment Partners, a boutique equity investment manager, has chosen Equity Trustees to be the responsible entity for its first range of Australian Equity funds the Blackwattle Small Cap Quality Fund, Blackwattle Large Cap Quality Fund, Blackwattle Mid Cap Quality Fund and Blackwattle Long-short 130/30 Quality Fund.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are delighted to be selected as the responsible entity role for this exciting new range of equity funds from Blackwattle. We look forward to working alongside Blackwattle into the future as they enter the market and continue to grow their offering.”

    • The Blackwattle Small Cap Quality Fund provides investors with exposure to smaller Australian companies that are emerging as industry leaders. Its benchmark return is the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Accumulation Index.

    • The Blackwattle Mid Cap Quality Fund provides investors with exposure to Australian businesses that have built a strong advantage within their industry, seeking to benchmark against the S&P/ASX300 – ASX20.

    • The Blackwattle Large Cap Quality Fund provides investors with exposure to established Australian companies with a sustainable forward advantage. The fund’s aim is to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index over the medium to long term.

    • The Blackwattle Long-Short 130/30 Quality Fund provides investors with both long exposures to established Australian companies with a sustainable forward advantage and short exposure to Australian companies with a weakening forward advantage. Its aim is to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index over the medium to long term.

    Michael Skinner the Managing Director and CIO at Blackwattle said, “We are extremely proud to launch our foundational range of equity funds to Australian investors, offering investment solutions that are backed by aligned management and investment teams, that will act with enhanced transparency”.

    “We have refined our inaugural investment offerings to reflect our strong belief of investing in Australian business that have a forward advantage, aligned management, and are priced below their intrinsic value. Coupled with our aligned and transparent business model, we believe Blackwattle will provide a refreshing offering to Australian investors across domestic equity markets, and in future across global equity markets”, said Mr Skinner.

    Launched in 2023, Blackwattle Investment Partners is a new generation, Australian investment manager, that centres its investment philosophy on a quality approach to investment management. With over 135 years of combined experience and A$10 million in personal capital commitment, Blackwattle seeks to differentiate itself through investment excellence, transparency, and governance.

    Equity Trustees’ Mr Beasley added: “Our expertise and decades of experience in funds governance establishes us well to work diligently with Blackwattle as they enter and expand in the domestic equity market”.

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    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Equity Trustees super business continues growth trajectory with latest appointments

    The superannuation trustee business of leading trustee company Equity Trustees (EQT) continues along its steady growth trajectory with its latest client – and two new Board – appointments.

    The superannuation trustee business of leading trustee company Equity Trustees (EQT) continues along its steady growth trajectory with its latest client – and two new Board – appointments.

    Equity Trustees was appointed as the superannuation trustee of the Future Super Fund from 1 July. The appointment includes one of Australia’s major impact superannuation offers, Future Super, which doesn't invest in the fossil fuel Industry, and Verve Super, which is an ethically invested superannuation offering focused on women.

    Andrew Godfrey, Executive General Manager of Superannuation Trustee Services, at Equity Trustees welcomed the appointment and said: “We are pleased to be the new trustee for Future Super and are looking forward to working with the Future Super team across their contemporary range of impact superannuation services.”

    The Future Super Fund, which includes Verve, manages over $1.8 billion in superannuation assets for more than 50,000 members. Established in 2014, Future Super's purpose is to create a future free from climate change and inequality provides superannuation services focusing on zero fossil fuel investment, and clean energy projects with a holistically ethical framework and screening process.

    “This appointment reaffirms Equity Trustees as the foremost provider of independent superannuation trustee services in Australia. Our funds under supervision were up around 16% (to A$44.8 billion) in the financial year ending 30 June 2023, with 631,000 superannuation fund members representing an increase of 81,000 members over that same period. The appointment to the Future Super will now add over 50,000 members to the fold,” he said.

    In addition, the superannuation trustee boards which oversee the superannuation trustee business (Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) and HTFS Nominees Pty Ltd) this year welcomed two new appointments – David Coogan and Steven Carew, who together bring significant additional superannuation advisory, audit and investment experience.

    “One of our long-standing board members, Ellis Varejes retired at 30 June. We’d like to thank him for his major contribution to our superannuation Boards and wish him well for the future, “said Mr Godfrey.

    “Our experience and sustained growth in superannuation trusteeship shows there is significant demand for a specialist, independent trustee for superannuation funds.” Mr Godfrey concluded.

    More about Equity Trustees Superannuation services is available at: www.eqt.com.au/superannuation

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    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • AL Capital selects Equity Trustees for new range of retail funds

    Independent fund manager, AL Capital (ALC), has selected Equity Trustees to the be the responsible entity of its new range of retail funds, the ALC Global Credit Fund, ALC Active Australian Equity Fund and ALC Active Global Equity Fund).

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are delighted to be selected as the responsible entity for these new retail funds launched by ALC and look forward to working closely with them across both credit and equity markets.”

    The ALC Global Credit Fund aims to provide investors with exposure to fixed income securities expected to deliver income. The fund seeks to generate returns in excess of the RBA Cash Rate by 2.5% per annum over a period of 3-5 years.

    The ALC Active Australian Equities Fund strives to equip investors with a strategy that offers exposure to ASX listed equities, while deploying various tools to manage downside risk - in particular shorting stocks with the aim of achieving absolute returns above the benchmark.

    The ALC Active International Equities Fund will offer investors direct exposure to equities listed on major international exchanges with a return objective corresponding to the MSCI World Index.

    Wayne Mo, Chief Executive Officer at ALC said, “We’re pleased to launch these three new funds in partnership with Equity Trustees. Through our diverse exposure across credit and equities strategies, we are expanding our product offering as our client base broadens and demand rises.”

    He added that ALC’s long history of investment expertise and the firm’s recent acquisition of Peridot Investment Management points to exciting times ahead and compelling offerings for investors.

    “We’ve been delivering excellent returns over the last five years, especially over the last twelve months amid unprecedented market volatility. The agility of our model further allows us to take advantage of timely opportunities without high levels of bureaucracy. Now we’ll be able to leverage the complementary capabilities of Peridot and our existing resources to pursue better outcomes for our investors.”

    ALC, the independent investment and fund management arm of Aqualand Group has around $300 million in assets under management. Founded in 2018 ALC specialises in equity across public and private markets, offering investment strategies to institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and families.

    Equity Trustees’ My Beasley added: “Our expertise and long history in funds governance allows us to work diligently with fund management firms, offering a tailored and experienced approach to credit and equity market investments.”

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    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    +61 03 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    About AL Capital Holding (AL Capital)

    Established in 2018, AL Capital Holding (AFSL 523648) is the fast-growing asset management and financial investment platform of Aqualand Group, managed by former investment bankers and fund managers with a combined 150 years’ financial market experience.

    In addition to its successful self-managed Hedge Fund and PE investment portfolio, AL Capital specialises in Liquid Equities and Property Funds including the new AURA Unit Trust, Direct Investment and Fixed Income.

    AL Capital has its head office in Sydney and affiliate offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
    To find out more, visit www.alcapital.com

  • Global equities and fixed income the most popular fund launches

    The latest 100 funds launched by Australia’s leading responsible entity provider, Equity Trustees, have shown global equities remain the most popular funds for local investors.

    Strong growth in retail and ESG themed funds

    The latest 100 funds launched by Australia’s leading responsible entity provider, Equity Trustees, have shown global equities remain the most popular funds for local investors.

    ‘The 100’ research which examines the most recent funds launched by the country’s leading provider of independent Responsible Entity and Trustee services to fund managers found the majority of funds they brought to market were still global equity funds, accounting for almost a quarter (22%) of funds launched.

    This was down from 43% of funds in The 100 in 2022.  

    “Domestic equity funds accounted for just 15% of funds launched,” said Johnny Francis, General Manager of Business Development and Custody at Equity Trustees.

    Mr Francis said: “The next most popular funds were fixed income, with domestic accounting for 19% of funds launched, compared to 15% for global fixed income.”

    “These included corporate and government bond funds, asset-backed securities and notes coming to market. We also saw several private debt and credit funds being launched.”

    “This was clearly a reflection of tightening market conditions spurred by tightening fiscal policy and rising interest rates in response to rising inflation and geopolitical volatility.”

    He noted that the majority of the latest 100 new funds were directed towards retail investors (47%), with less than a third (31%) directed towards wholesale investors.

    He also pointed out that there was a significant increase in funds being developed by boutique managers coming out of larger organisations.

    And that more than half (51%) were registered funds compared to just over a third (34%) being unregistered.

    Alternative products remained popular and included commodities, infrastructure, foreign exchange, and quant strategies. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) accounted for 12% and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) only 1%. 

    Dilan Ashton, General Manager of Responsible Investing at Equity Trustees, added that 13% of funds had an environment, social and governance (ESG) theme or were sustainable development goals focused.

    “Generally in the market, there were record inflows into Responsible Investment offerings, reaching $1.54 trillion in assets under management (AUM), representing 43% of all professionally managed funds.

    "AUM in sustainability-themed investments has more than doubled to $161 billion over the 12 months ending 31 December 2021,” noted Ms Ashton.

    Mr Francis added: “Over the last year we saw a significant majority of funds launched that were hedged (84%) versus not hedged (16%). The nature of erratic rising and falling markets has created an appetite for funds to use a variety of strategies including the leverage of non-traditional assets to help manage volatility.”

    Interest in digital assets stalled pending clearer regulation.

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    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

     

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Tax time - make this year different and build a legacy of giving

    As 30 June approaches, maximising tax deductions is top of mind for many. One of the simplest options available is to make a charitable donation that helps others in need.

    As 30 June approaches, maximising tax deductions is top of mind for many. One of the simplest options available is to make a charitable donation that helps others in need.

    Those who want to make a longer-term commitment to giving – and have a minimum of $5000 in mind available to donate – can consider creating a structured giving vehicle. The entry point is usually by establishing your own sub-fund and becoming a part of an existing public ancillary fund. One of the drawcards of a charitable fund of your own – including a sub fund - is the ability to set it up in a family name.

    “The best-known charitable funds have grown over a long period of time, being added to over many years, and we know them by the name of the family who established it. Many are established to keep a memory of a loved one alive – and to keep their commitment to a cause alive as well,” says Denise Cheng, national manager of Active Philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

    “Money put into a charitable fund also provides a tax deduction for initial and subsequent donations to the fund by family members – or anyone.” 

    “Also because, charitable funds are tax-exempt, according to the ATO the fund is eligible to receive a refund on any franking credits.  This boosts the investment return of all donations made into the fund.”

    Ms Cheng adds: “Making regular donations to a charitable fund can build a legacy that lasts for generations. You can develop a values-based mission, well beyond your lifetime. 

    “Structured giving vehicles are purpose-built to deliver an annual income stream to support causes and programs that matter the most to you – it can be anything from a commitment to the arts and culture, to education or medical research, or the environment and so much more.

    “For our clients with multi-generations, by engaging family in these decisions, it is an opportunity to bring family together, motivated by a shared opportunity to make the world a better place,” said Ms Cheng.

    “So in the lead up to tax time this year, give some thought to how, and how much you donate to charitable causes. There just might be a way to make that dollar go further – not just this year, but in perpetuity, and we know our community and charitable sector will welcome that steady consistent support.”

    More about Equity Trustees and Philanthropy is available on our website.

     

    Download the full Media Release  

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Top quartile performance for Equity Trustees’ flagship Australian equities

    Equities Trustees’ EQT Australian Equities Flagship Fund has ranked in the top quartile of returns over five years, in the Mercer Wholesale Equity Core Survey.

    Equities Trustees’ EQT Australian Equities Flagship Fund has ranked in the top quartile of returns over five years, in the Mercer Wholesale Equity Core Survey.

    The Mercer Wholesale Equity Core Survey comprises 79 Australian managed funds. Performance data is net of fees and as at 28 February 2023.

    Chris Haynes, Head of Equities at Equity Trustees said, “We’re pleased our fund’s robust investment performance has stood the test of time, particularly during the past year’s market uncertainty and volatility.

    “Typically a fund like this has a minimum three to five year investment horizon.

    “What’s also important to note is the consistency of performance over different time periods. Our flagship equities fund ranked close to the top quartile of returns over one and three years as well,” Mr Haynes said.

    The EQT Australian Equities Flagship Fund is designed for our clients seeking strong medium-to-long term capital growth potential, plus an income stream payable from the dividends of the underlying shares. The Fund has a distinct focus on after-tax returns.

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    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • FSREC appoints Equity Trustees as replacement RE for specialist real estate fund

    Fort Street Real Estate Capital (FSREC), a specialist real estate and asset management company, has selected Equity Trustees as the replacement responsible entity of the FSREC Property Fund, with assets of over $700 million.

    Fort Street Real Estate Capital (FSREC), a specialist real estate and asset management company, has selected Equity Trustees as the replacement responsible entity of the FSREC Property Fund, with assets of over $700 million.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are very pleased to be selected by FSREC and to take over the reigns as the responsible entity role for their fund which invests in Australian commercial property.”

    The FSREC Property Fund seeks to invest in convenience-based retail centres with strong underlying fundamentals, underpinned by a high proportion of non-discretionary income. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide investors with exposure to a portfolio of well-located convenience-based retail assets, providing the potential for strong cashflows and capital growth over the longer term. The geographic focus is on major metropolitan areas and strong regional centres, predominantly across the east coast of Australia.

    David Rogers, Director Investments at FSREC said: "We’re happy that Equity Trustees is now the responsible entity of the FSREC Property Fund. Their expertise and experience in this area is invaluable and we’re delighted to have them on board.”

    Mr Beasley added: “Our many years of experience and expertise in funds governance means we are well-positioned to work with a variety of assets and asset management firms across the investment spectrum.”

    FSREC was established in 2013 and has extensive experience in transacting, managing and optimising commercial real estate with a particular focus on the retail sector. The team have a long history of successful real estate investment and management in Australia including property acquisitions, divestments, asset management, development, and capital management.

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    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Northleaf Capital Partners selects Equity Trustees for senior private credit fund

    Northleaf Capital Partners (Northleaf), a global private markets investment firm, has selected Equity Trustees to be the Trustee and Custodian of its senior private credit fund, NSPC AUD Investor Trust (NSPC Australia).

     Northleaf Capital Partners (Northleaf), a global private markets investment firm, has selected Equity Trustees to be the Trustee and Custodian of its senior private credit fund, NSPC AUD Investor Trust (NSPC Australia).

    NSPC Australia is an Australian-domiciled unit trust which is available to Australian wholesale investors; the fund invests directly in Northleaf Senior Private Credit (NSPC), an open-end private credit fund focused on senior secured direct lending to private equity-backed companies and asset-based specialty finance investments in North America, Europe and Australia. 

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are pleased to be appointed by Northleaf as the Trustee and Custodian of NSPC Australia and look forward to working with them in this growing asset class.” 

    Mr Beasley noted that the Toronto-headquartered manager was one of an increasing number of international fund managers entering the Australian market and looking for the expertise of a specialist independent trustee.

    Northleaf currently has more than 200 professionals across offices in Toronto, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Menlo Park, Melbourne, Montreal, New York and Tokyo. The US$22 billion firm launched its private credit program in 2016 as an extension of its global private markets platform which also includes private equity and infrastructure. 

    “We are delighted to offer Australian investors access to our senior private credit fund through a tax-efficient, open-end structure designed specifically for this market,” said David Ross, Head of Private Credit at Northleaf. 

    “We look forward to working collaboratively with Equity Trustees and benefitting from their experience in this sector and their specialist expertise as trustees as we continue to grow our private credit program in Australia.”   

     

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Changing of the guard in Equity Trustees’ Super business

    Australia’s leading independent specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees, today announced the appointment of Andrew Godfrey as Executive General Manager of the Superannuation Trustees Services business.

    Australia’s leading independent specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees, today announced the appointment of Andrew Godfrey as Executive General Manager of the Superannuation Trustees Services business.

    Mr Godfrey replaces Mark Blair, who was responsible for reshaping the highly successful superannuation business to focus on independent outsourced trusteeship in the superannuation sector.  The strategy underpinned the growth in the business of funds under supervision from $1bn to $40bn over the five years since Mr Blair was appointed to the role.

    “Andrew comes to Equity Trustees with 30+ years of experience in financial services, including leadership roles across superannuation, wealth, financial advice and insurance. His experience has spanned operations, technology, leadership of master trusts, client delivery, transformation and change and risk, and most recently consulting to the sector,” said Managing Director Mick O’Brien.

    Mr Godfrey previously held roles with Mercer where he was COO – Operations and Technology for the Asia Pacific region, COO (Australia / NZ), Head of Transformation, and Head of Financial Services. He was also COO at life insurance company AIA in the mid 2000’s – and prior to 2010 held various senior management roles at Mercer and Plum Financial Services.

    Mr Blair is exploring continuing to work with the superannuation business as an independent adviser and consultant.

    “We are fortunate to have this exceptional expertise and experience to continue the growth story for our specialist superannuation trustee service, which has included the acquisition of Zurich Australian Super and trustee appointments to AIA (Comminsure) in 2019, followed by HUB24 Super Fund and AMP Life super funds in 2020,” said Mr O’Brien.

    “Andrew inherits a capable and strong leadership team, excellent clients and clear direction. We believe the market we have established for superannuation trusteeship is ripe with opportunity – and our business will continue to go from strength to strength as a result.

    “We thank Mark for the critical role he has played in the establishment and growth of the business so far, and welcome Andrew to Equity Trustees,” Mr O’Brien concluded.

     

    Download Media Release

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    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • International Day of Women and Girls in Science
    11 February

    Some of the Australian women making a difference

    Some of the Australian women making a difference


    Australian scientists, in particular women in medical research, are making a difference to all of us. 

    The latest annual Viertel Foundation Awards included several grants to trailblazing female scientists. 

    For example, Dr Jaclyn Pearson of the Hudson Institute of Medical Research at Monash University and Dr Jennifer Zenker at Monash University’s Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute each received $1.375 million over five years to support their work.

    The funds will help the progress of vital research in the areas of cancer, stem cells, dementia and infection responsiveness.

    Dr Pearson’s research will uncover how antibiotic resistance is driving the ability of microbes to cause more severe disease, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic approaches to beat life-threatening superbug infections.

    Dr Zenker’s research aims to find out more about pluripotent stem cells which develop into highly specialised cells of the adult body, performing a vast range of functions. These highly specialised cells have the potential to revolutionise regenerative medicine by harnessing and redirecting cells through the use of innovative live imaging and non-invasive light-inducible drugs.

    “It’s a timely reminder, particularly as we approach International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, that women have so much to offer in the areas of scientific and medical research,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees, the manager and one of the trustees of the Viertel Foundation.

    Since establishment, the Viertel Foundation has awarded a total of 61 Senior Medical Research Fellowships and 149 Clinical Investigator awards, ensuring ongoing research for important medical and health conditions, and the treatments needed for them.

    “The Foundation committed to gender equity a few years ago in the awarding of the grants and fellowships - with the express purpose of supporting mid-career women scientists,” said Ms Kennedy

    “The alumni of the medical research granting program are a showcase of excellence in the pursuit of clinical and therapeutic responses to health and medical conditions affecting millions of people.

    Alumni of the Senior Medical Fellowships can be found here, and the Clinical Investigators Awards here. More about the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Foundation is available here.

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • ClearLife Capital selects Equity Trustees for AU/NZ long short fund

    Australian investment firm ClearLife Capital Pty Ltd has selected Equity Trustees to be the trustee for its new wholesale fund, the ClearLife Capital Opportunities Fund. 

    Australian investment firm ClearLife Capital Pty Ltd has selected Equity Trustees to be the trustee for its new wholesale fund, the ClearLife Capital Opportunities Fund. 

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are delighted to be appointed as trustee for ClearLife Capital’s long short equities fund for wholesale investors and look forward to continuing to work closely with the team.”

    The ClearLife Opportunities Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of securities listed on the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges – taking both long and short positions. The Fund aims to deliver risk-adjusted returns over the RBA Cash Rate (after fees and before tax) across a range of market environments over the medium to long term. The Fund may also invest in exchange traded or over the counter derivatives for risk management purposes. 

    ClearLife Capital was founded by David Moberley and James McBeath with investor alignment as a key tenet. The founders are significant investors in the fund, there are no competing products and capacity has been tightly managed. The pair have significant experience in financial markets and share a long history of previously working together at a market leading Australian equity manager. 

    David Moberley at ClearLife Capital said: "We’re excited to be launching and growing the ClearLife Capital Opportunities Fund and welcome an experienced trustee like Equity Trustees by our side.”

    “We believe fundamentals ultimately drive stock returns and our research framework encapsulates both micro and macro-economic analysis. Our belief is that there are significant opportunities to exploit inefficiencies across individual stocks, sectors and the overall market. Our process capitalises on these whilst retaining capital preservation at the forefront of our ethos. We believe alternative investments that can deliver uncorrelated returns across a broad range of market environments are highly attractive,” Mr McBeath said.

    Mr Beasley added: “Our expertise and years of experience with over 350 diverse managed investment schemes means we are well placed to provide trustee services for long short investment approaches across a variety of share markets.”

    Download the full Media Release 

  • Update on proposed acquisition of Australian Executor Trustees

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX:EQT) (“Equity Trustees”) today confirmed it has now received the Ministerial Approval required to acquire Australian Executor Trustees Limited (“AET”).

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX:EQT) (“Equity Trustees”) today confirmed it has now received the Ministerial Approval required to acquire Australian Executor Trustees Limited (“AET”). Federal Treasurer, the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, has provided the approval pursuant to section 601VBB of the Corporations Act 2001.

    Receipt of Ministerial Approval was a condition precedent to completion of Equity Trustees’ acquisition of AET. The remaining conditions precedent are yet to all be satisfied, but material progress is being made and at this stage it is expected that the acquisition will become unconditional in order to meet the targeted acquisition completion date of 30 November 2022.

    Equity Trustees, AET and AET’s current owner, Insignia Financial Ltd, are well advanced with transition planning. AET employees have signed new employment agreements with Equity Trustees and the client contact program is well progressed.

    This is a transformative acquisition for Equity Trustees, and is aligned with its focus on being the leading specialist provider of trustee services in Australia.

    Download the full media release


    Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, has authorised that this document be given to the ASX.

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski                                                     Scott Hinton

    GM - Marketing & Communications                              Vaughan Partners

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024                                           0419 114 057

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au                                               shinton@vaughanpartners.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                                          Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                                         Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5201                                                           +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                                                    pgentry@eqt.com.au

     

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees (ASX: EQT) was established in 1888 to provide independent and impartial trustee and executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. This history of service now dates back to 1878 through the acquisition in 2014 of ANZ Trustees - originally Trustees Executors & Agency Company Limited and Australia’s first trustee company. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees offers a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices across Australia and in London and Dublin.

  • Viertel Foundation Awards $4.575 million to medical research

    $4.575 million has been committed to support eight Australian researchers – three of which were awarded the prestigious annual Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships.

    $4.575 million has been committed to support eight Australian researchers – three of which were awarded the prestigious annual Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships.

    This year, the fellowship program was also supported through the Edward Percy Oldham Perpetual Trust.

    The funds will help the progress of vital research in the areas of cancer, stem cells, dementia and infection responsiveness.

    The 2022 Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellows, who will each receive $1.375 million over five years to support their work, are:

    Dr Jaclyn Pearson, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University
    A/Professor Robert Weatheritt, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
    Dr Jennifer Zenker, Monash University (Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute)

    In addition, five $90,000 one-year clinical investigator awards were provided to:

    Dr Hayley Barnes, Monash University
    Dr Harriet Gee, Children's Medical Research Institute
    Dr Matthew Hare, Menzies School of Health Research
    A/Professor Nitesh Nerlekar, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
    Dr Hannah Stevens, Alfred Hospital.

    Since establishment, the Viertel Foundation has awarded a total of 61 Senior Medical Research Fellowships and 149 Clinical Investigator awards, ensuring ongoing research for important medical and health conditions, and the treatments needed for them.

    “The alumni of the medical research granting program are a showcase of excellence in the pursuit of clinical and therapeutic responses to health and medical conditions affecting millions of people,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees. 

    “As one of the largest philanthropic funders of medical research in Australia, we are always working with the sector to ensure our funding decisions can make the biggest impact in the health challenges we have now – and ahead of us. That is the power of the legacy left by Sylvia and Charles Viertel.”

    Professor Peter Leedman AO, Chairman of the Viertel Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board, said the candidates for 2022 exhibited the talent and commitment which had become the mark of a Viertel Foundation funding recipient.

    “Our congratulations go not only to the recipients of this year’s awards, but to all applicants who presented to the Advisory Board in Brisbane at the annual Viertel Symposium in October. We are proud, honoured – and above all, impressed and filled with hope for the future of medical research in Australia when we look at the projects underway and the people who dedicate themselves to this work. Our role through the Foundation is to ensure it can continue,” Professor Leedman said.

    Equity Trustees manages the Viertel Foundation and acts as one of the trustees in conjunction with individual trustees Justice Debra Mullins AO (Chair), Paul de Silva and Peter Evans, and is one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, established with an initial bequest of approximately $60 million. Today the Foundation is worth over $200 million and distributes around $9 million annually.

    Alumni of the Senior Medical Fellowships can be found here, and the Clinical Investigators Awards here. More about the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Foundation is available here.

     

    The Senior Medical Fellowships 2022 project details

    Beating the superbugs

    Dr Jaclyn Pearson, Monash University and Hudson Institute of Medical Research

    Antibiotics have been a pillar of modern medicine. However, as decades have progressed, our over-reliance on these ‘miracle drugs’ has seen the rise of resistant ‘superbugs’, creating a situation where deadly infections may again be untreatable. The need to understand how 'superbugs' evolve is now critical. This research will uncover how antibiotic resistance is driving the ability of microbes to cause more severe disease, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic approaches to beat life-threatening superbug infections.

    Exploiting P-bodies for cancer treatment

    A/Professor Robert Weatheritt, Garvan Institute of Medical Research

    Cancer remains a disease where there is an urgent need for new therapeutics targeting newly discovered pathways. A/Professor Weatheritt’s work has identified a new biological pathway implicated in chemotherapy resistance, namely P-body formation. ‘P-bodies’ help prevent tumour cells from converting to cancer stem cells which the cause pro-metastatic and chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells – and the aim is to work out what drug types and combinations can support P-bodies to their work – which in turn support the effectiveness of other cancer treatments.

    Harnessing the power of versatile cells

    Dr Jennifer Zenker, Monash University

    To meet the challenges of life, a human requires 30 trillion cells (a blue whale, by comparison a staggering 100 quadrillion). A new life, however, begins with a small number of unspecialised cells, called pluripotent stem cells, which develop into highly specialised cells of the adult body, performing a vast range of functions. Dr Zenker’s research aims to find out more about these versatile cells which have the potential to revolutionise regenerative medicine by harnessing and redirecting cells through the use of innovative live imaging and non-invasive light-inducible drugs. 

     

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Equity Trustees appointed RE for Sharia compliant ETFs

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) for two exchange-traded Sharia compliant funds spanning equity and property. They are the first Sharia compliant investment offerings to be available on the ASX.
    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) for two exchange-traded Sharia compliant funds spanning equity and property. They are the first Sharia compliant investment offerings to be available on the ASX.
     
    The ETFs are listed versions of two managed funds launched earlier this year by Australian-based investment manager, Hejaz Asset Management. 
     
    The listed Hejaz Equity Fund (ASX:ISLM) aims to match the returns of the MSCI World Islamic Index (hedged into AUD) through exposure to a diversified equity portfolio of Sharia compliant investments. 
     
    The listed Hejaz Property Fund (ASX:HJZP) seeks to replicate movements in the MSCI World REITs Index (hedged into AUD) through exposure to a diversified portfolio of Sharia compliant Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) investments. 
     
    Muzzammil Dhedhy, Chief Operating Officer at Hejaz Asset Management said: “Equity Trustees was instrumental in helping us to set up the two managed funds for Australian investors earlier this year. Their expertise in funds governance and the preparation and issuing of compliant product disclosure statements meant they were perfectly placed to help us list them.
     
    “We believe these two Sharia compliant ETFs will increase accessibility to ‘positive impact’ benefits above and beyond returns by incorporating ethical foundations based on achieving prosperity and will help meet the growing demand for Sharia compliant investments.”
     
    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We congratulate Hejaz Asset Management on the launch of these two ETFs and look forward to applying our well-established experience of funds governance to them.”
     

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    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees appointed RE for GQG dividend income fund

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) by US boutique global equity manager, GQG Partners.

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) by US boutique global equity manager, GQG Partners.

    GQG Partners specialises in long-only and emerging market equity strategies and was established in 2016 by prominent investor Rajiv Jain, former CIO and Co-CEO of Vontobel Asset Management, who brings over 25 years of equity investing experience to GQG Partners.

    The newly launched GQG Partners Global Quality Dividend Income Fund aims to provide a rate of return (after fees and expenses and before taxes) which exceeds the return of the MSCI ACWI High Dividend Yield ex Tobacco AUD Index, with a view to investing primarily in equity securities or equity-linked instruments of companies located anywhere in the world, that are expected to pay dividends.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said Equity Trustees was pleased to be selected by GQG Partners as responsible entity for their dividend income fund.

    “It’s great to add another option to the fold for investors seeking income,” said Mr Beasley. “Equity Trustees is excited to bring our years of local and international funds governance experience to GQG Partner’s equity income capability.”

    Laird Abernethy, GQG Partners Managing Director Australia and New Zealand said: “Equity Trustees have a wealth of global experience in listed investments. We believe their expertise is a good fit for us and this type of fund, and we look forward to benefiting from their reputable experience in funds governance.”

    “We believe the launch of the GQG Partners Global Quality Dividend Income Fund will give investors access to a quality focussed global dividend income strategy that aims to limit downside risk while providing capital appreciation, dividend income, and attractive returns to long-term investors over a full market cycle.”

    Download the full Media Release  

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and it
  • National electricity market operator appoints Equity Trustees as Financial Trustee

    AEMO Services Ltd has appointed Equity Trustees as Financial Trustee under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

    AEMO Services Ltd has appointed Equity Trustees as Financial Trustee under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

    AEMO Services is an independent subsidiary of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and is a key partner in the implementation of the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap through its appointment as the NSW Consumer Trustee. 

    The Roadmap works towards legislated targets of at least 12GW of new renewable generation and at least 2GW of new long-duration storage by 2030. Up to $32 billion in private capital is expected to be deployed to accomplish this task, which is unprecedented in an Australian context. 

    Paul Verschuer, AEMO Services’ Executive General Manager, described the establishment of the SFV as a major milestone as it moved from planning to active tender processes. 

    “The Scheme Financial Vehicle has been specifically designed as an independent entity to provide long-term certainty to private sector participants and their investors.”
     
    The Scheme Financial Vehicle will establish and maintain the Electricity Infrastructure Fund and will serve as counterparty to Long-Term Energy Service Agreements with project proponents recommended by AEMO Services’ rolling tender process. It will also provide revenue, as determined by the Australian Energy Regulator, for Renewable Energy Zone network infrastructure projects and Priority Transmission Infrastructure Projects developed under the roadmap.

    Following an open tender, Equity Trustees has been appointed as Financial Trustee under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 (NSW). Equity Trustees will also hold all the shares issued in the SFV ‘in trust’ under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act.

    Mick O’Brien, Managing Director at Equity Trustees said he was pleased that Equity Trustees had the opportunity to play such a central part in the State’s energy transition. 

    “The Financial Trustee and the Scheme Financial Vehicle are crucial to realising the objectives set out by the NSW Government,” he said. 

    “We look forward to working productively with AEMO Services, EnergyCo and the private sector to deliver new infrastructure that will provide value and reliability to NSW energy consumers for generations to come.

    “Our expertise and over 100 years of experience in trust and fund governance sets us up well to help ensure Australians have access to affordable, secure and reliable energy.”

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    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Tanarra Credit Partners selects Equity Trustees for new private debt income fund

    Tanarra Credit Partners (“TCP”), a private credit investment firm, has selected Equity Trustees to be the responsible entity of its new fund, the TCP Private Debt Income Fund.

     

    Tanarra Credit Partners (“TCP”), a private credit investment firm, has selected Equity Trustees to be the responsible entity of its new fund, the TCP Private Debt Income Fund. 

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are very pleased to be selected as the responsible entity role for this new private debt fund by TCP and look forward to working closely with them now and into the future in this growing asset class.” 

    The TCP Private Debt Income Fund aims to provide investors attractive risk-adjusted returns with a focus on capital preservation. It seeks to achieve this by providing credit / lending to primarily mid-market corporates here in Australia and for select corporates across the Asia-Pacific region. 

    “There is growing demand for alternate sources of capital by medium-sized companies in Australia and Asia-Pacific as they grow.”

    Peter Szekely, Managing Partner at TCP said, "We’re excited about the launch of this fund and providing credit facilities to a range of companies here and in the region and passing the income generated from these loans to our core sophisticated investors.”

    He said there is growing demand for alternate sources of capital by medium-sized companies as they grow.

    “We have developed what we think is a differentiated offering for local corporate borrowers as well as investors in the non-investment grade credit space. By targeting asset-light growth companies in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific, our objective is to fill that financing gap for companies as traditional banks experience reduced appetite for lending to mid-market corporates amid tight regulatory capital requirements.”

    “This fund also provides us with more flexibility and the ability to be move nimbly to optimise credit investments especially in this rising interest rate and inflationary environment,” he said.

    TCP has over A$750 million in assets under management and is a part of Tanarra Group, a specialist alternative investment group with A$3 billion in assets under management. TCP has had strong support from large, high-profile Australian institutional investor clients, and is expanding access to individual investors with the TCP Private Debt Income Fund. 

    Equity Trustees’ Mr Beasley added: “Our expertise and years of experience in funds governance sets us up well to work with asset management firms right across the debt and equity spectrum.”
     

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Equity Trustees
    asset management
    joins UNPRI

    The asset management division of Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees (ASX:EQT), has become a signatory to the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI).

    The asset management division of Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees (ASX:EQT), has become a signatory to the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI).

    Dilan Ashton, General Manager for Responsible Investing for Equities Trustees Asset Management, said: “We are dedicated to preserving and growing our clients’ wealth, while ensuring the way we direct and manage capital is aligned with the values of our clients and progressing positive ESG outcomes.

    “We believe that well-managed companies that exhibit strong corporate governance and develop and maintain a ‘social licence to operate’ through strong Environmental, Governance and Social policies and behaviours, will overwhelmingly prove to have more sustainable and robust business franchises and potentially be better investments over the longer term.”  

    The PRI support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating environmental, social and governance factors into their investment and ownership decision. The Principles were developed by investors, for investors and in implementing them, signatories contribute to developing a more sustainable global financial system.

    As a signatory to the PRI, Equity Trustees Asset Management has consolidated its commitment to working with local and global industry bodies to remain at the forefront of developments in responsible investing.

    Equity Trustees’ Responsible Investment Policy can be viewed here and the listing on the PRI directory here.

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    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Equity Trustees appointed RE for Foord global equities

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as local Responsible Entity (RE) by Foord Asset Management (Singapore) Pte. Limited (Foord), which celebrated its tenth anniversary this year.

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as local Responsible Entity (RE) by Foord Asset Management (Singapore) Pte. Limited (Foord), which celebrated its tenth anniversary this year.

    Foord’s genesis as an investment manager was in South Africa with Dave Foord having founded Foord Asset Management in 1981, and expanded its footprint to Guernsey in 1997, Singapore in 2012, Luxembourg in 2013, and now Australia.

    The new Foord Global Equity Australian Feeder Fund invests exclusively in the Foord SICAV- Foord Global Equity Fund (Luxembourg) which comprises a diversified portfolio of global equities that aims to achieve a higher total rate of return than the MSCI All Country World Net Total Return Index without assuming greater risk.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager of Corporate Trustee Services at Equity Trustees, said Equity Trustees was pleased to be selected by Foord Asset Management as RE for their high conviction global equity portfolio.

    “We are excited to start working with Foord and their long-established investment team,” said Mr Beasley.

    “Equity Trustees is proud to bring many years of local and international funds governance experience to Foord Asset Management’s equity capability.”

    Agnes Cai, Chief Executive Officer at Foord Asset Management Singapore said: “At Foord, investment management is about managing risk. Central to our philosophy is the preservation of capital through the cycle. Foord believes that minimising the permanent loss of capital is paramount

    to generating superior long-term returns. We are pleased and excited to work with Equity Trustees to offer the adaptable, high conviction, value-driven equity strategy fund to Australian long-term investors.”

    Download the full Media Release  

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.
  • More housing to tackle the scourge of homelessness among the elderly

    New units open thanks to an innovative collaboration between the Alexander Miller Estate, Wintringham Housing and State Government.

    New units open thanks to an innovative collaboration between the Alexander Miller Estate, Wintringham Housing and State Government. 

    A housing project for elderly people experiencing homelessness was officially opened today at Highton, near Geelong, by Victorian Member of Parliament, Minister Melissa Horn.

    The project sees the development of fit for purpose accommodation for 22 elderly people experiencing disadvantage, including those who have found themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness.

    This development adds to the existing 34 homes on the Highton site and 171 homes that have already been developed under this collaborative model across Geelong and more widely Regional Victoria.

    The project was established from a gift of funding and land from the Alexander Miller Estate as well as funding from the Victorian State Government. The property and services will be managed by Wintringham, who have unique experience in advocating for, and supporting, elderly people experiencing disadvantage.

    The Alexander Miller Estate contributed cash funding over $3.25 million and land worth a commensurate amount, with the Victorian Government contributing over $7.33 million. 

    The Alexander Miller Estate is a perpetual charitable trust which was established in April 1914.  Mr Miller set up the Trust for the purpose of relieving poverty in Geelong and regional Victoria. Trustees for the Trust have aimed to fulfil this purpose in a meaningful and practical way by purchasing land and building, maintaining, managing and endowing cottages or other homes for use by those experiencing disadvantage and poverty.

    Today the Alexander Miller Estate, as a charitable trust, owns multiple properties occupied by residents who are usually over 50 years of age and who have lived experience of homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, and require support to maintain a place to live.

    Wintringham is a not-for-profit welfare organisation that has worked to support older Victorians at risk of homelessness for more than 30 years and is Australia’s largest provider of aged care services to older people experiencing homelessness. The organisation is first and foremost focused on providing people with the dignity, rights and options to ensure they have the support and housing to live the life that they deserve.

    Gary Martin, Chair of Trustees of the Alexander Miller Estate, said: “It’s this genuine commitment from all parties to dedicate our time and resources to not only create purpose-built homes across regional Victoria, but to ensure the residents have access to the services and support they require to successfully maintain their tenancies and a good quality of life, that truly makes this partnership exceptional.”

    Bryan Lipmann AM, CEO and Founder of Wintringham Housing, said: “The new units will provide much needed social housing in a region that is experiencing significant housing stress. It means more accommodation will be made available alongside our existing housing, which means we can provide the support services that often make all the difference to clients living the life they deserve. 

    "The new units are designed to optimise natural ventilation and light and provide a space that fosters a community of support and encouragement. Providing a healthy, comfortable and safe place to live is our priority, and we hope the new residents will love living there as much as their neighbours in the adjoining properties do.”

    Jodi Kennedy, General Manager Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees, said: “We are proud as a co-trustee, to be a part of ensuring Alexander Miller’s commitment to the Geelong region is demonstrated in a real and practical way, driving positive outcomes for those in the community who need it. 

    “Given the critical need for housing supply at this time, it’s very rewarding to see the collaborative partnership between the Alexander Miller Estate, the Victorian Government and Wintringham Housing, come to fruition through this development.”

    Starting a new life in social housing

    When Theresia moved into her new home at the Alexander Miller Wintringham homes in Highton she said she regained her dignity and feels at peace.

    “I loved using my skills through volunteering as a social worker; I was always helping others. I never dreamed for one minute that I would be the one in need of a home myself. When a mini tornado hit my rental property that I’d been living in for 19 years, it was the beginning of what felt like the end for me.

    “I am a mother of six, grandmother of 19, and great grandmother of nine. I am lucky that I had my children to help me, I couch-surfed and lived with my children and grandchildren for a few months, but they too had their own challenges and life pressures to deal with.

    “I lived out of a suitcase and the only possessions I had with me were my clothes and toiletries. I spoke to Denise my Case Manager from Wintringham and put on a brave face and said that I was doing ok, but I was far from it.

    “Being homeless for me meant that I lost my sense of self, my sense of identity, and to be honest, I didn’t care if I was here anymore. I was at a very low place. Having always been in command of my life, this loss of identity affected me so deeply; I never felt like this before. As you get older your resilience isn’t what it used to be. I was so desperate for help.

    “After moving into Wintringham I feel like I’m regaining my identity, and I’m resuming the activities that I love so much like ballroom dancing. I now have a home for life. You have no idea what a huge impact that can have on a person and their outlook on life.

    “I can’t stress how important it is to give people the opportunity to maintain their dignity and sense of self, while also being respected as an individual. Having my own home now and the right support structures around me, means that I somehow feel whole again, and ready to share my skills with others in whatever way I can.”

    View Wintringham’s work and why they do it here

    Download the full Media Release  
    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

     

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.
  • Most popular recent fund launches are global equities

    The last 100 funds launched by Australia’s leading responsible entity provider Equity Trustees have shown global equities to be the most popular, with a sharp rise in ESG-themed funds.  Find out more
  • Tim Callaghan appointed as Independent Director to the Equity Trustees Fund Services Board

    Investment professional Tim Callaghan has been appointed as an independent non-executive director to the Board of the Equity Trustees Independent Authorised Corporate Director business in the UK.

    Investment professional Tim Callaghan has been appointed as an independent non-executive director to the Board of the Equity Trustees Independent Authorised Corporate Director business in the UK.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services provides independent fund governance, risk and compliance, product development and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, London and Dublin.

    Mr Callaghan brings more than 30 years of experience in managing, marketing and oversight of investment strategies as an investment specialist. He was most recently the Chief Investment Officer and lead manager of the Globersel Pactum Natural Resources Fund at Nextam Partners Ltd and has also held Investment Management roles at Gartmore Investment Management and Morley Fund Management Ltd, among others.

    “I’m looking forward to contributing towards the continuing development of this exciting and rapidly growing business. The Independent ACD industry has undergone much change over the last five years, with growing demand from investment managers for an independent, experienced and trusted ACD partner, and Equity Trustees ticks all of these boxes,” Mr Callaghan said..

    >CEO of Equity Trustees Fund Services (UK), James Gardner, added: “With the addition of Tim to the UK Board we have now completed our transition to a majority Independent Board, further strengthening our core belief that a truly Independent ACD is the key to strong fund governance, reducing conflicts and providing higher levels of investor protection.

    Managing Director of Equity Trustees, Mick O’Brien, said: “On behalf of Equity Trustees, we welcome Tim to our business and look forward to his contribution to our growth story which began in Australia more than a century ago.”

    Mr Callaghan is a Certified European Financial Analyst and holds a BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Management from King’s College London University.

    More about Equity Trustees Fund Services available at www.equitytrustees.com

    Download the full Media Release  
    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees, the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited, was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) was established in January 2017. Through our Independent Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) and Management Company services we offer a comprehensive range of UCITS and AIFMD fund services to International and domestic Investment Managers, Distributors and Financial Services professionals looking to establish and operate funds in both the UK & Europe. Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (Company number 635185) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited. This media release has been prepared to provide you with general information only.

  • Partners Group selects Equity Trustees as responsible entity for private debt

    Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, has again selected Equity Trustees to be the responsible entity of its latest fund launch – a new private debt fund in Australia.  

    Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, has again selected Equity Trustees to be the responsible entity of its latest fund launch – a new private debt fund in Australia.  

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are very pleased to have been selected to undertake the responsible entity role for the fifth Partners Group fund launched since we began working together in 2011.”

    The Partners Group Global Income Fund - Unlisted invests in a global portfolio of private debt investments. It aims to return 4% per annum above the RBA Cash Rate, net of fees with monthly distributions and a focus on capital preservation.

    Andrew Bellis, Partner and Head of Syndicated Loans at Partners Group, said: "We are very excited about the launch of the Partners Group Global Income Fund – Unlisted.  With significant global inflationary pressures and expected interest rate rises, we’re looking to outperform more traditional fixed income securities, helped by the floating rate nature of the assets in the portfolio. Plus we want to provide a strong yield for those investors seeking income.   

    “With an underlying portfolio comprising predominantly of First Lien Senior Secured loans, the aim is for this income-oriented unlisted debt fund to demonstrate lower volatility and lower risk off loss than say funds comprising high yield bonds," he said. 

    Equity Trustees’ Mr Beasley added: “The breadth and depth of the funds we’re the responsible entity for, is expanding and speaks to our expertise and years of experience in funds governance.”

    Partners Group has invested over US$170 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt, and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally since 1996 and has US$127 billion in assets under management as of 31 December 2021.

    Download the full media release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees selected to provide Custodian and Trustee services to clean energy investor Octopus

    Equity Trustees has been selected to provide both Custodian and Trustee services to Octopus Australia.

    Equity Trustees has been selected to provide both Custodian and Trustee services to Octopus Australia.

    The local subsidiary of Octopus Group, one of the largest owners of renewable energy projects in Australia and Europe, Octopus entered Australia in 2018 and is currently managing $1billion in assets under construction and operations on behalf of its investors. 

    Octopus is an investor in the Gippsland Renewable Energy Park. The 3,000-hectare site is part of a joint venture between the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and will be built in the heart of the proposed Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone and will comprise solar, wind and battery storage. The project is set to accelerate the region’s transition to a clean, green future.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are delighted to be the Custodian and Trustee for the Octopus Australia-managed platform.

    “We’re servicing a growing number of platforms geared towards more sustainable outcomes which benefit the broader community. Equity Trustees’ years of experience as a corporate fiduciary means we are the best fit for clients like Octopus Investments who need an expert custodial and corporate trustee service, “said Mr Beasley.

    Download the full media release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees appointed by AFL Players' Association

    A working partnership between the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) and Equity Trustees established back in 2011 has expanded with Australia’s leading trustee being awarded responsibility to manage and grow the $150 million AFLPA Player Retirement Account (PRA).

    A working partnership between the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) and Equity Trustees established back in 2011 has expanded with Australia’s leading trustee being awarded responsibility to manage and grow the $150 million AFLPA Player Retirement Account (PRA).

    Originally appointed to manage the administration of the member registry when the fund was initially $12 million, Equity Trustees was appointed following a robust and competitive tendering process for the investment manager of the PRA. The appointment is from 1 April 2022 and also includes ongoing management of member services assisting players with their transition to retirement.

    The PRA was established in 1999 to assist player members in their financial transition once they retire from playing football by providing a lump sum and periodic payments. 

    “We’re proud the AFLPA has recognised the quality performance results of our investment management team and are confident that members will benefit from our comprehensive service,” said Darren Thompson, Head of Asset Management at Equity Trustees. 

    “This appointment means Equity Trustees now manages more than $4 billion of assets for a wide range of clients. With responsible investing part of our approach, and a community-driven focus due to our work with charities and the for-purpose sector, and with Indigenous communities, we are well aligned with the AFLPA in terms of our values and our capability,” he added. 

    AFLPA CEO, Paul Marsh, said it was vital the players money was in safe hands.

    “A playing career in the AFL is very limited, so it’s important that there are programs in place to reward players for their contribution and commitment to the game throughout their retirement,” Marsh said.

    “The PRA is an important aspect of this, and we value the role that Equity Trustees has played in administering and managing the fund. We are pleased to be working with the broader Equity Trustees team and congratulate them on the appointment following a highly competitive process.”

    More about the Equity Trustees Asset Management team can be found here.

     

    Download the full Media Release   

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.
  • Equity Trustees
    appointed RE for
    Sharia Compliant funds

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) for three Sharia Compliant funds spanning equity, property, and fixed income asset classes, launched by Australian based investment manager, Hejaz Asset Management.

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) for three Sharia Compliant funds spanning equity, property, and fixed income asset classes, launched by Australian based investment manager, Hejaz Asset Management.

    The Hejaz Equity Fund aims to match the returns of the iShares MSCI World Islamic UCITS ETF through exposure to a diversified equities portfolio of Sharia Compliant investments. The Hejaz Property Fund seeks to replicate movements in the MSCI World REITs Index through exposure to a diversified portfolio of Sharia Compliant REIT investments. The Hejaz Income Fund’s objective is to achieve a total return equal to the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index plus 2%, through exposure to a diversified portfolio of Sharia Compliant fixed income investments.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We are delighted to have been selected to undertake the responsible entity role for this range of funds from Hejaz who are part of a broader specialist Sharia Compliant financial services group.”

    “We congratulate Hejaz Asset Management on the launch of these three funds and look forward to applying our well-established experience of funds governance to them,” said Mr Beasley. 

    Muzzammil Dhedhy, Chief Operating Officer at Hejaz Asset Management said: “Equity Trustees has been invaluable in helping us set up and launch these funds for Australian investors. In addition to dealing with funds governance matters, they efficiently supported the preparation and issuing of the three compliant product disclosure statements.

    “We believe these three funds offer additional ‘positive impact’ benefits above and beyond returns by incorporating ethical foundations based on achieving prosperity and providing Sharia compliant investments for fund members.”

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • RE Equity Trustees announces Nanuk New World Fund's launch as an ETMF on the ASX

    Equity Trustees, Responsible Entity for the Nanuk New World Fund [ASX: NNUK] announced the Fund is now listed as an Exchange Traded Managed Fund (ETMF).

    Equity Trustees, Responsible Entity for the Nanuk New World Fund [ASX: NNUK] announced the Fund is now listed as an Exchange Traded Managed Fund (ETMF).

    Established in 2015 as an unlisted fund, the New World Fund is managed by Nanuk Asset Management Pty Limited (Nanuk), a specialist investment manager focused on the broad global themes of environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.

    The Fund’s performance objective which is to provide investment returns which exceed conventional global equity indices, after management fees, over the long term remains unchanged.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services (CTS), Equity Trustees said the specialist Fund was able to leverage the expertise of the CTS experienced team and strong working relationship with Nanuk to enable the dual arrangement.

    “We’re seeing more funds becoming available in listed and unlisted structures, giving flexibility to investment managers and investors. Equity Trustees’ years of experience in funds governance, markets and varying fund structures means we can continue to partner with clients as a Responsible Entity, if or when they choose to list on an exchange like the ASX,” said Mr Beasley.

    Melanie De Cressac, Chief Operating Officer at Nanuk said: “Aside from being our RE and bringing decades of experience, we trust and value Equity Trustees’ extensive knowledge of listing funds and are grateful for their expert assistance with quoting the Nanuk New World Fund.

    “We believe having an exchange-traded version of the Nanuk New World Fund is an excellent way to evolve a well-established product. We believe it offers the benefits of transparency, liquidity plus an easy entry point into a well-managed modern portfolio focusing on sustainable investments and technologies.”

    The Nanuk New World Fund (ASX:NNUK) listed on 21 March 2022.

    Download the full Media Release   
    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.
  • Equity Trustees appointed RE and Custodian for Metrics retail fund

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) and Custodian for the Metrics Direct Income Fund (Fund) which is managed by Metrics Credit Partners (Metrics).

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) and Custodian for the Metrics Direct Income Fund (Fund) which is managed by Metrics Credit Partners (Metrics), a leading Australian non-bank corporate lender and alternative asset manager specialising in origination and active management of private debt portfolios.

    The Fund seeks to provide monthly cash income, capital preservation, and portfolio diversification by gaining exposure to diversified portfolios of directly originated loans to Australian companies.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said Equity Trustees was pleased to be selected by Metrics as both custodian and responsible entity for such an innovative income fund.

    “We’re seeing a diversity of options available to investors who need income. Equity Trustees is excited to perform this dual role and bring our years of experience in custody and funds governance to Metrics’ direct private debt and loans capability,” said Mr Beasley.

    Andrew Lockhart, Managing Partner at Metrics said: “Equity Trustees have adeptly stepped in as our new RE for the Metrics Direct Income Fund. We are fortunate to work with such an established organisation and benefit from its reputable custodial experience and wealth of expertise.

    “The Fund offers everyday Australians access to well diversified portfolios of private debt assets, providing them with a regular income stream that has traditionally only been available to wholesale investors.”


    Download the full Media Release  
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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.
  • SQM Research rates four Equity Trustees funds 'Superior'

    Equity Trustees has welcomed ‘Superior’ (four star) ratings from SQM Research for four of its funds managed by its Asset Management team.

    Equity Trustees has welcomed ‘Superior’ (four star) ratings from SQM Research for four of its funds managed by its Asset Management team.

    The ratings were awarded to the EQT Tax Aware Australian Equity Fund, EQT Ethical Tax Aware Australian Equity Fund, the EQT Flagship Fund and the Mortgage Income Fund. It is the first time the Australian Equity funds have been rated by SQM Research, while the Mortgage Income Fund was upgraded from 3.75 stars.

    The Reports noted the strong performance of the funds as well as strong processes and high calibre management. It also noted that the investment process and Asset Management team were experienced, capable and collegiate, enabling robust debate within the team on investment ideas and decisions.

    SQM’s High Investment Grade rating views the Funds suitable for inclusion on most Approved Product Lists (APL’s).

    Darren Thompson, Head of Asset Management at Equity Trustees, said: “Our Australian Equity investment philosophy aims to identify quality companies at a reasonable price coupled with distinct focus on the after-tax returns offered to investors. 

    “This rating is affirmation of the experienced team’s quality at a reasonable framework and team and our after-tax returns to our investors – it’s a strategy that is performing consistently above benchmark,” he added.

    More about the Equity Trustees Asset Management team and the funds can be found here.

     

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

    SQM disclaimer

    The rating mentioned in this document is issued by SQM Research Pty Ltd ABN 93 122 592 036 AFSL 421913. SQM Research is an investment research firm that undertakes research on investment products exclusively for its wholesale clients, utilising a proprietary review and star rating system. The SQM Research star rating system is of a general nature and does not take into account the particular circumstances or needs of any specific person. The rating may be subject to change at any time. Only licensed financial advisers may use the SQM Research star rating system in determining whether an investment is appropriate to a person’s particular circumstances or needs. You should read the product disclosure statement and consult a licensed financial adviser before making an investment decision in relation to this investment product. SQM Research receives a fee from the Fund Manager for the research and rating of the managed investment scheme.

  • Equity Trustees appointed RE for US Student Housing REIT

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) to the first public market offering from Auctus Investment Group Limited (ASX:AVC), a US student housing real estate investment trust (REIT).

    Equity Trustees has been appointed Responsible Entity (RE) to the first public market offering from Auctus Investment Group Limited (ASX:AVC), a US student housing real estate investment trust (REIT). 

    The US Student Housing REIT (ASX:USQ) will focus on investing in off-campus US student housing adjacent to large top-tier US public universities with the aim of generating long term, reliable returns. It will own 9 properties worth $US136m with portfolio occupancy of 96 per cent.

    Auctus is a global investment manager with a focus on investment opportunities across private equity, infrastructure and private real estate.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said: “We’re delighted to be working with Auctus to enable the offer of its unique US student housing REIT to investors in Australia”.

    “As the market leading provider of RE service in Australia, this REIT is yet another example of the diversity of investment fund types being offered to Australian investors. When such varied funds are being brought to market, it makes sense that fund managers look to a specialist professional RE which has experience and capability across all types of funds governance,” Mr Beasley explained.

    Auctus Managing Director, Campbell McComb, said: “Working with Equity Trustees means we benefit from their decades of experience as a trustee and RE in the Australian financial industry and can also draw on their global experience”.

    “This REIT is the only Australian-listed property trust with a primary strategy in investing in US student housing. It is focused on seeking to achieve long-term returns through a combination of income through rental yields along with potential long-term capital growth” said Mr McComb.

    The US Student Housing REIT (ASX:USQ) listed on 8 March 2022.

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • Equity Trustees applies a gender lens to granting to #BreakTheBias

    Did you know women and girls are more likely than men to experience discrimination, poverty, violence and lower levels of average pay?

    Did you know women and girls are more likely than men to experience discrimination, poverty, violence and lower levels of average pay?

    To help break this unfair bias Equity Trustees is committed to taking gender into account across all of its philanthropic granting.

    “Applying a gender lens in favour of women ensures we’re taking responsibility as a funder, for addressing inequities and changing underlying systems compounding marginalisation and oppression,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

    “In the past financial year, we granted around $1.5 million to programs solely targeting the unique needs of women and girls. Right now, we’re focussed on implementing the gender framework recommended by Australians Investing in Women, a not-for profit gender advocate to ensure our granting leads to positive social change and a better, fairer society for everyone.”

    Some of the practical ways Equity Trustees is becoming more gender-conscious include talking about gender with stakeholders, bringing gender into the granting discussions and application process, and funding specific programs that will effect change.

    “We also collect gender-wise grant-related data which we then learn from and tailor. This influences our future granting by elevating the needs of women and girls, deepening our commitment to creating sustainable social change,” she said.

    The Phyllis Conner Memorial Trust managed by Equity Trustees, is an example of how the team is successfully implementing a gender lens in philanthropic giving. A recent project funded by the Trust supports single mothers across Victoria to reengage in the workforce, helping to secure basic human rights such as financial and personal security, affordable housing and flexible working arrangements.

    “Our objective is to take our philanthropic partners on the gender-wise journey with us, but at the same time considering the differing needs and circumstances of all people,” said Ms Kennedy.

    As manager and trustee of more than 600 charitable trusts, Equity Trustees is a leading source of philanthropic funding in Australia. More about Philanthropy at Equity Trustees available online.

    The theme of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2022 is #BreakTheBias towards a world free of bias, stereotypes; that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive; and where women’s equality is universal.

    Download Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • Getting more women back into the workplace

    $30,000 grant to deliver holistic employment services to women in need

    $30,000 grant to deliver holistic employment services to women in need

    Job-readiness support organisation, Fitted for Work, has been awarded a grant of $30,000 from the William Buckland Foundation. 

    The not-for-profit group empowers women and non-binary people experiencing disadvantage, with the practical skills, self-esteem and know-how to help them move forward in the workplace.

    “Over two thirds of Australian women are over-represented in casual and part-time roles and are almost twice as likely to be underemployed, making them vulnerable to financial insecurity and unemployment during times of adversity,” said Donna De Zwart, Managing Director of Fitted for Work.

    “We’re grateful for this much-needed grant from the William Buckland Foundation, which will deliver 12 months of tailored and holistic services, supporting women to upskill, build confidence and resilience, and prepare to re-enter employment as the economy turns.”

    Services in the Fitted for Work project are tailored to meet individual needs and can be accessed in a variety of methods including online, via a dedicated service app, self-paced individual and group training webinars, face to face appointments and phone.

    The William Buckland Foundation is one of Victoria’s largest philanthropic trusts. Since its establishment in 1964, it has distributed more that $129 million in grants which focus on supporting better housing, health, education and employment outcomes.

    “The global pandemic has further affected women’s economic security and we recognise that not-for-profit organisations like Fitted for Work are operating in financially challenging times. We are delighted to support this very capable and important organisation in its work to improve job prospects for women and non-binary community members in need,” said Dr Jane Gilmour OAM, Chair of the William Buckland Foundation. 

    Equity Trustees is a co-trustee of the William Buckland Foundation, and leading source of philanthropic grants in Australia as manager and trustee of more than 600 charitable trusts.

    “Right now, as people return to CBD offices in our major cities, it’s important that those who are experiencing disadvantage have the opportunity and support to start again and create their future,” said Carol Schwartz AO, Chair of Equity Trustees. “Fitted for Work is an incredible organisation doing essential work to support many who have been worst impacted by the pandemic.”

    The theme of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2022 is #BreakTheBias towards a world free of bias, stereotypes; that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive; and where women’s equality is universal.


    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.
     
  • Equity Trustees expands asset management team with Responsible Investing appointment

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees (ASX:EQT), has continued the expansion of its asset management team with the appointment of a responsible investing lead – a newly created role reflecting its continuing commitment to investment in this area and the evolving expectations of clients.

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees (ASX:EQT), has continued the expansion of its asset management team with the appointment of a responsible investing lead – a newly created role reflecting its continuing commitment to investment in this area and the evolving expectations of clients.

    Dilan Ashton will be based in the Sydney office as General Manager, Responsible Investing for Equity Trustees’ Asset Management business.

    Ms Ashton joins Equity Trustees from Warakirri Asset Management, where she was a senior business development associate. Prior to that, she was a senior analyst at JBWere for more than 10 years.

    In her new role, she will be responsible for developing expertise and thought leadership in responsible investing, working closely with portfolio managers to help shape how the latest developments in the area are reflected in Equity Trustees Asset Management’s investment strategies.  

    “The new role in the team reflects our continuing focus on responsible investing – it’s what our clients want and is the way of the future,” said Darren Thompson, Head of Asset Management at Equity Trustees. “Dilan’s appointment will support our service to our clients - including private clients, charitable and not for profit organisations while we remain focussed on continuing to achieve excellent results for them.”

    “Safeguarding the wealth of Australian individuals, communities, families and charities is a part of our DNA as key part of Australia’s leading specialist trustee company.

    “We are delighted to welcome Dilan to Equity Trustees. Her capability and experience will be essential as we continue to meet high demand for responsible investing,” Mr Thompson added. 

    Equity Trustees Asset Management is an active investment manager in Australian and Global Equities, Credit and Fixed Income and is directly responsible for the management of $4 billion of funds; $2.5bn of which is on behalf of over 650 for-purpose organisations, including philanthropic trusts and charitable foundations.

    More about the Equity Trustees Asset Management service is available on our website.

    Download the full Media Release  

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.
     
  • Equity Trustees launches second Global Equity UCITS fund for Ecofin Advisors

    Ecofin Advisors Limited, a leading UK based sustainable investment firm has launched a second Global Equity fund in Ireland, the Ecofin Global Renewables Infrastructure UCITS Fund.
    Ecofin Advisors Limited, a leading UK based sustainable investment firm has launched a second Global Equity fund in Ireland, the Ecofin Global Renewables Infrastructure UCITS Fund.  

    Equity Trustees are the appointed UCITS Management Company to the Gateway UCITS Funds plc supporting the launch of Ecofin’s second sub-fund on the platform. 

    The new Ecofin Global Renewables Infrastructure UCITS Fund is managed by Michael Sznajer and applies the investment approach used by Ecofin across their fund range in both the US and Europe. The firm is committed to sustainable investment aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and offers investment options with strong risk-adjusted returns while avoiding risks posed by companies and assets that are exposed to environmental and social factors.

    “We’re proud to support Ecofin as they expand their UCITS fund range on the Gateway UCITS platform and look forward to partnering with them as they develop this exciting new offering,” said Kevin Lavery, CEO, Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland). 

    Commenting on the new launch, Brent Newcomb, President of Ecofin said: “We are delighted to launch a second UCITS on the Gateway UCITS platform and to continue developing our relationship with Equity Trustees. Their team has led this project from the front, allowing us to focus on portfolio management and our clients.”

    This latest launch again demonstrates Equity Trustees’ capability to support existing and new clients as it continues to grow its presence in Europe through the UCITS and AIFMD offering.  

    “At the core of our model is the belief that by providing a comprehensive Management Company service that goes beyond the pure regulatory requirements, we can allow our clients to focus on their core skillsets,” said Mr Lavery.

    Equity Trustees is a leading provider of Trustee and Fund Governance (Responsible Entity) services with funds under administration and management of more than AUD100b, acting as fiduciary for around 300 funds and more than 100 Investment Managers in Australia and Europe.
     

    More about Equity Trustees in UK and Ireland can be found here, and information about the overall company can be found here.


    Download the full Media Release  
    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Ltd (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited.
     
    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.
     
  • Equity Trustees appoints new Company Secretary

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has appointed Samantha Einhart as Company Secretary.

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has appointed Samantha Einhart as Company Secretary.

    “Samantha was most recently Company Secretary at Maurice Blackburn. She brings more than 10 years’ experience, having worked with a variety of ASX listed companies including UXC Limited and REA Group. Samantha brings excellent experience to apply to the role in a trustee company,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    Ms Einhart holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. 

    “We congratulate Samantha on her appointment and welcome her to the senior leadership of Equity Trustees,” Mr O’Brien concluded.

     

    Download the full Media Release  

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services, superannuation trusteeship and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.
     
  • This New Year, put your digital estate plan into action

    Most of us create a large digital footprint in our lifetimes – online banks, social media, subscriptions, online share trading and emails, to name just a few. How would your family cope with what to do with it all, if you were no longer around?

    Most of us create a large digital footprint in our lifetimes – online banks, social media, subscriptions, online share trading and emails, to name just a few. How would your family cope with what to do with it all, if you were no longer around?

    For many of us, it’s hard enough remembering all the passwords and logins to the accounts and platforms we use online regularly – let alone the ones we use only sometimes. 

    The New Year, when many people are thinking about resolutions and getting their affairs in order, can be the perfect time to revisit your estate plan – and think about what you might be leaving behind in the digital and online arena, according to Marie Brownell, National Manager, Estate Planning, Equity Trustees.

    "It is common to underestimate the time and work involved in being the executor of an estate and often one of the most difficult tasks is sifting through the reams of online information we leave behind,” she said.

    "However, there are steps you can take to document the right information for your executor to make the job more seamless for them."

    Document everything

    As a starting point, Ms Brownell recommends making a list of all the things your executor should be aware of, including bank accounts, superannuation, insurances, investments such as cryptocurrencies, utilities, memberships and subscriptions.

    "Without the right information to hand, your estate could continue to accumulate unnecessary expenses for some time as your executor tries to find all the information they need,” Ms Brownell said.

    "Many people think about the high-level information such as bank accounts, but you should aim to record everything that would need to be actioned or cancelled, from direct debits to Amazon and Uber accounts."

    Provide authorisation

    Who can gain access to digital records is an emerging area of the law. In New South Wales, for example, proposals have been made to change current laws to allow an authorised person to access records on behalf of a person who has passed away or is incapacitated.

    "The world is seeing an increase in the production and use of digital records. Most of us have accumulated a great deal of information that is stored digitally, either on personal devices or on a third party's server,” Ms Brownell said.

    "Trying to navigate all of this information without the right level of access can make the role of an executor much harder."

    While passing on your passwords and logins is currently not legal in some states, Ms Brownell recommends adding a clause into your will to allow your executor to access, monitor and delete digital assets and records.

    "Some providers, such as Google and Facebook, will allow you to appoint an account trustee to download some of your account content if unattended for an amount of time. However, this is an emerging area of the law and every provider is different,” she said.

    Start today

    Ms Brownell said she often sees cases where people procrastinate over their estate plan, either because they don't want think about their own demise or because they fear the time, energy and cost involved

    "Whatever your fears about estate planning, make it a priority this New Year, as the damage that can result from your inaction will always be greater,” she said. 

    "Once you have documented everything, you will benefit from the peace of mind of knowing your affairs and your loved ones will be taken care of when you are gone."


    Download the full Media Release 
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    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.
     
    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.
     
  • Charitable giving and bequests via Equity Trustees grow from $91m to $96.2m in FY21

    Leading provider of philanthropic funding, Equity Trustees, today released its fourth annual Giving Review, which contains analysis of philanthropic granting and bequests overseen by the Company in the 2021 financial year.

    $96.2 million total grants and bequests in financial year 2021, up from $91m in 2020

    $20.8 million total grants from bequests, up from $7.6 million 

    Over 3000 grants made

    146 grants over $100,000 to the for-purpose sector

    Largest single discretionary grant - $800,000 – was in the area of medical and health

    Leading provider of philanthropic funding, Equity Trustees, today released its fourth annual Giving Review, which contains analysis of philanthropic granting and bequests overseen by the Company in the 2021 financial year.

    The group saw charitable giving rise 6% to $96.2 million in 2021 to $91 million in 2020, driven by a significant increase in charitable bequests, which reached $20.8 million, up from $7.6 million the previous year.

    Managing Director Mick O’Brien said: “As Australia’s leading specialist trustee, we take pride in our ability to balance the needs of our clients, employees and shareholders, while being very aware of the significant responsibility we have to our community.  This publication is important because it shares critical information to enable the for-purpose sector to understand how we manage and approach our stewardship of more than 600 philanthropic and charitable funds.”

    Commenting on the analysis contained in the annual review, Carol Schwartz AO, Chair of Equity Trustees, said: “Australia's vibrant philanthropic sector has continued to meet the rising demands of the community throughout 2021, demonstrating agility and a deeper understanding of how to best support the social sector.”

    “Charities and other crucial social sector organisations have shown extraordinary resilience and flexibility whilst tackling Australia's biggest societal issues alongside the resurgence of COVID-19. It has been a time of complexity and uncertainty, but also of innovation and meaningful impact.

    “This is why it is so important that as a major funder we give effectively and strategically,” she said.

    Examples of initiatives supported by Equity Trustees and delivered by its partners in the for-purpose partners sector in FY21 include:

    Supporting children and young people, with a focus on disability, education and out-of-home care

    New ways to tackle Australia's housing and homelessness crisis

    Working to empower First Nations organisations

    Backing leading medical researchers

    Building sustainable businesses that help solve social and environmental problems

    Helping communities to build resilience against drought; and much more.

    Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees said the for-purpose sector was continuing to rebuild in the wake of COVID-19.

    "We are proud to have supported the sector as it navigates through these difficult times, and works towards becoming more sustainable and resilient,” she said.

    "Some key areas of focus for us have been finding new ways to make it simpler for Australians to start or build on their giving in a more strategic way. Our focus is on using technology to innovate and removing common barriers to practicing effective philanthropy.

    “We aim to be more responsive and flexible funders, learning from our experience of recent natural disasters and empowering the sector to do what it does best when properly funded. Philanthropy delivers most value when it provides the flexibility to meet the rising and changing needs of the community,” Ms Kennedy concluded.

    The report can be viewed at www.eqt.com.au/givingreview

    Download the Full Media Release


     

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.    

  • Increase in trust and SMSF legal disputes: what to watch for

    Legal disputes over trusts are on the increase according to leading estate planning and trustee services provider, Equity Trustees.

    Legal disputes over trusts are on the increase according to leading estate planning and trustee services provider, Equity Trustees.

    According to Marie Brownell, National Manager, Estate Planning, Equity Trustees the independent trustee and executor has seen a marked rise in legal wrangles over trusts in the past year.

    There are a few reasons for the increase, she noted, including the use of DIY or off-the-shelf trusts, which can lead to issues down the track.

    "A common issue we see with trusts is where someone has gone to their accountant to seek advice on how to minimise tax. The accountant then uses an off-the-shelf trust which is often not drafted properly.

    "Australians are a nation of DIY fanatics but trusts are complex legal structures and not something anyone should create without specialist legal advice,” she said.

    When SMSFs go wrong


    Ms Brownell has also witnessed a rise in disputes over self-managed super funds (SMSFs), as the number of Australians seeking to take control of their own super has increased. The latest ATO data shows there are almost 600,000 SMSFs with a combined total of 1.11 million members*.

    "As a result of the proliferation of SMSFs in Australia, we are seeing more SMSFs challenging trust decisions as a result of trustees acting negligently, incompetently or even fraudulently,” she said.

    A well-known example of such a case is Wareham v Marsella. Mrs Swanson created an SMSF and was the sole member. The fund's trustees were herself and her daughter, Mrs Wareham. In the terms of her will, Mrs Swanson nominated her second husband, Mr Marsella as executor. 

    Mrs Swanson did not leave a binding death benefit nomination for the SMSF and on her mother's passing Mrs Wareham, who continued as a trustee of the SMSF when her mother died, resolved to pay all of the $450,000 death benefit from the SMSF to herself.

    Her stepfather filed a lawsuit claiming Mrs Wareham had exercised her discretion over the SMSF without real and genuine consideration to the trust's objectives, asked the court to set aside the trustee's discretion and requested a different trustee be appointed.

    Mr Marsella was successful in all three of the claims in the Supreme Court and Mrs Wareham also lost an appeal. **

    "Before setting up an SMSF, it is important to understand the trusts rules,” Ms Brownell said. 

    “It’s often forgotten that superannuation death benefits do not automatically fall into the estate for distribution in accordance with the will.  In the absence of a binding death benefit nomination, the trustee of the fund will decide who gets the benefit.

    “What’s usually overlooked is who that continuing trustee might be.  If it’s someone who stands to benefit themselves, in a manner contrary to your wishes, then you need to carefully consider what steps you need to take to ensure your death benefit is paid as you intend.”

    Trusts that stand the test of time


    Ms Brownell said there were many good reasons for establishing a trust, including:

    Protecting and transferring wealth and business assets
    Flexibility in distributing income and capital to beneficiaries across generations
    Managing superannuation assets, and 
    Establishing regular giving to charitable causes.

    "In order to establish a trust that is suitable for your current and changing circumstances, as well as those of your loved ones, always get proper legal advice, ensure you have a good succession plan for who is going to control the trust on death or incapacity and never sign anything you don't understand,” Ms Brownell concluded.

    More information about Equity Trustees’ wills and estate planning services is available on our website.


    *ATO data as at 30 June 2021

    ** See Marsella; Marsella v Wareham [2018] VSC 312  

    Marsella; Marsella v Wareham (No 2) [2019] VSC 65  

    Wareham v Marsella [2020] VSCA 92; 61 VR 262  

    Wareham v Marsella (No 2) [2020] 118 

     

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024
     

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

     
  • Equity Trustees bolsters Corporate Trustee Services team with new hire

    Equity Trustees, Australia's leading provider of responsible entity and trustee services, has announced the appointment of Johnny Francis to the role of General Manager, Business Development and Custody, Corporate Trustee Services (CTS).

    Equity Trustees, Australia's leading provider of responsible entity and trustee services, has announced the appointment of Johnny Francis to the role of General Manager, Business Development and Custody, Corporate Trustee Services (CTS).

    Mr Francis brings significant client relationship experience, having spent seven years at Perpetual Limited, most recently as Head of Sales and Relationship Management, Managed Fund Services. He has also held senior roles at chartered accounting and advisory firm RSM Australia and corporate advisory specialists PPB Advisory.

    Commenting on the hire, Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, CTS, Equity Trustees said: "We are delighted to welcome Johnny to the CTS team. We have seen strong and growing demand for specialist, independent responsible entity services both in Australia and overseas.
     
    "We are confident the market knowledge and experience Johnny brings to the table will help us to continue to grow the business to its full potential."

    Equity Trustees CTS division currently has more than $100b in funds under management, acting as responsible entity for nearly 300 funds and 100 investment managers. In addition, the CTS division provides a full range of trustee services including debt capital markets and securitisation, loan market and property services.

     

    Download the full Media Release


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    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Data security a key concern for trustees as cyber risks increase

    As more employees worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, Australian businesses are investing in the latest technology to safeguard client data.

    As more employees worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, Australian businesses are investing in the latest technology to safeguard client data.

    With a brand built on trust and securing the wealth and assets of clients and beneficiaries now and into the future, it has also been top of mind for Australia’s leading trustee company.

    According to a recent report from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)1, cyber-crime in the last financial year was up 13% on the previous 12 months, with 67,500 instances reported. Not all are reported.

    Equity Trustees recently partnered with Deep Instinct, which takes a prevention-first approach to stopping ransomware and other malware using a machine learning cybersecurity framework.

    Commenting on the partnership, Phing Lee, Chief Technology Officer, Equity Trustees said: “The ongoing challenge of data protection is being magnified not only by the rapid evolution of cyber threats but also by the necessity of working from home during the pandemic, which has created a heightened cyber risk environment.

    “In partnering with Deep Instinct, we were seeking technology that would actively detect and stop new threats from entering the environment on each and every device used by employees, to provide immediate and accurate prevention.”

    Akash Mittal, General Manager, Technology and Security, Equity Trustees said Deep Instinct’s Threat Prevention Platform was selected for its new and innovative approach to cyber security. “What appealed to us was the platform’s intuitive ability to protect against unknown threats like ‘zero-day attacks’, which exploit flaws in software and hardware, and advanced persistent threats, which use sophisticated hacking techniques. 

    “It was also easier to work with a simple solution offering without the additional complexity of a tiered services structure,” he noted.

    Since implementing the system, Mr Mittal said Equity Trustees had saved time and increased efficiencies.

    “Where previously we were overloaded with alerts and false positives from anti-virus software, we can now immediately identify valid threats and further strengthen our overall security, providing peace of mind to our clients,” he said.

    "We are pleased to bring a prevention-first approach to Equity Trustees, allowing the IT security team to protect their business better. With Deep Instinct's threat prevention platform and end-to-end deep learning framework, financial organisations like Equity Trustees, can have peace of mind by reducing the time spent on false positive investigation and allowing teams to prioritize legitimate security concerns," said Jeff Giannetti, Chief Revenue Officer at Deep Instinct. 

    1. ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report, 2020-21

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers..

  • Viertel Foundation Awards $4.2m to medical research

    $3.75 million has been awarded to three mid-career Australian researchers through the prestigious annual Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships in association with Bellberry.

    $3.75 million has been awarded to three mid-career Australian researchers through the prestigious annual Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships in association with Bellberry.

    A further $450,000 was awarded in one-year grants to an additional five medical researchers.

    In 2021 fellowship grants will support work over five years in the areas of cardiovascular disease and links to gut health, dementia diagnosis and regenerative therapies.

    The 2021 Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellows, who will each receive $1.25 million over five years to support their work, are:

    1. Associate Professor Francine Marques - Monash University
    2. Dr James “Mac” Shine - University of Sydney - (Bellberry-Viertel Fellowship)
    3. Associate Professor Mikaël Martino - Monash University 

    In addition, five $90,000 one-year clinical investigator awards were provided to:

    1. Dr Fana Alemseged - University of Melbourne
    2. Associate Professor Edward Smith - Melbourne Health 
    3. Dr Matthew Roberts - The University of Queensland
    4. Dr Emma Foster - Monash University 
    5. Dr Carlos Garcia Esperon - The University of Newcastle

    Since establishment, the Viertel Foundation has awarded a total of 58 Senior Medical Research Fellowships and 144 Clinical Investigator awards, ensuring important medical and health conditions, and the treatments for them, can be researched.

    “In 2021, few can argue that we owe a debt of gratitude to the medical research community,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees. “These past few years show just what can be achieved when we direct concentrated support to achieve a result in combatting a major health crisis.

    “As one of the largest philanthropic funders of medical research in Australia, we are always working with the sector to ensure our funding decisions can make the biggest impact in the health challenges we have now – and ahead of us. That is the power of the legacy left by Sylvia and Charles Viertel 25 years ago.”

    Bellberry CEO, Kylie Sproston, said that the fellowships provide a rare opportunity for mid-career researchers to focus on specific areas of research that show great promise.

    “We are delighted that Dr James “Mac” Shine is the Bellberry-Viertel Fellow for 2021. Dementia affects millions of people around the world, and we are proud to support him in his ground-breaking research,” said Ms Sproston. 

    Professor Peter Leedman, Chairman of the Viertel Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board, said the candidates for 2021 exhibited the hallmark of all Viertel Foundation applicants: exceptional quality and dedication.

    “Our congratulations go not just to the recipients of this year’s awards, but to all applicants who presented their impressive work to the Advisory Board. Each year we are impressed by what is being achieved by the Australian medical research community. We are proud to play a part in developing this extraordinary pool of talent and ensuring this important work continues,” Professor Leedman said.

    The Viertel Foundation is managed in partnership with co-trustees Justice Debra Mullins AO (Chair), Rex Freudenberg and Paul de Silva, and is one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, established with an initial bequest of approximately $60 million. Today the Foundation is worth around $215 million and distributes around $8 million annually.

    More about the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Foundation is available here.

    Fellowship Research Project summaries

    Associate Professor Francine Marques 

    Monash University

    Targeting the gut microbiota to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

    Diets high in fibre are linked with lower blood pressure and rates of heart disease. Until recently, however, we did not understand why or how. I discovered that this phenomenon involves our gut microbiome. While our bodies are incapable of digesting fibre, they feed the community of intestinal microbes. This results in the release of substances I have shown to lower blood pressure and improve heart function in experimental models. My fellowship will delineate how I will leverage this knowledge to discover, develop and translate new ways to prevent and treat high blood pressure via the gut microbiome.

    Dr James "Mac" Shine

    University of Sydney (Bellberry-Viertel Fellowship)

    Unleashing the power of brain imaging to understand and treat dementia.

    Dementia affects more than 50 million people worldwide, with cases projected to triple by 2050. To diminish the burden of this disease, we need a better conception of the healthy brain – only then will we appreciate what it means for a brain to develop dementia. I will use state-of-the-art brain imaging and sophisticated computer models to characterise the role of the ascending arousal system – a crucial site of pathology in dementia. This perspective will improve our ability to diagnose dementia at earlier stages, and to more effectively intervene to alleviate the symptoms of this debilitating disease.

    Associate Professor Mikaël Martino 

    Monash University

    Towards the development of novel immune-centric regenerative strategies.

    Regenerative medicine has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in healthcare. However, this field is still in its infancy – for example, there is still limited adoption of regenerative therapies based on stem cells. My work is in developing new promising approaches to design the next generation of regenerative strategies. Particularly, I will focus on growth factor/cytokine technologies and on the critical role of the immune system during tissue repair and regeneration. Indeed, using the immune system is probably the most effective way to promote tissue regeneration.

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024
     
    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.
     
  • Advance care planning essential as dementia cases rise

    With Australians living longer than ever before and diseases including dementia on the increase, all Australians should have a plan in place for if they are incapacitated, according to Equity Trustees.
    With Australians living longer than ever before and diseases including dementia on the increase, all Australians should have a plan in place for if they are incapacitated, according to Equity Trustees.

    The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released its first major report on dementia since 2012* in September, finding more than 400,000 people are currently living with dementia, with that number expected to jump to 850,000 by 2058 as our population ages, unless a major cure is found.

    According to Marie Brownell, National Manager Estate Planning, Equity Trustees, Advance Care Directives are an often-overlooked part of the estate planning process. 

    “Most of us put a great deal of thought into how we would like our assets to be distributed after we are gone but less time and effort goes into planning for end-of-life care,” she said.

    “Setting out what type of care you would like and sharing these wishes with your loved ones can provide a great degree of comfort should you become incapable of making your own decisions in the future.”

    Sometimes known as a ‘living will’, an Advance Care Directive is a legal document that formally records your wishes for future medical and health care.

    “They can include a wide variety of information, from your preferred living arrangements, to medical treatment, palliative care, life support and organ donation,” Ms Brownell said.

    An Advance Care Directive has different names and meanings in each state and territory in Australia. Depending on where you are located, the Advance Care Directive may be set out in a document, included in the Enduring Powers of Attorney (Medical) or appointment of an Enduring Guardian. 

    “We recommend everyone considers having a living will in place. This should be reviewed regularly, particularly if there in a change in your health, personal or living situation,” Ms Brownell concluded.

    More information about Equity Trustees’ wills and estate planning services is available on our website.
     

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Responsible Entity and Corporate Trustee Services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • Equity Trustees approves $3.4 million grant to fund medical research and healthcare

    Equity Trustees has announced it will deliver $3.4 million in additional funding to the National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation (NFMRI), Monash Partners and the Mater Foundation.

    Equity Trustees has announced it will deliver $3.4 million in additional funding to the National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation (NFMRI), Monash Partners and the Mater Foundation.

    The granting will be delivered from 26 philanthropic trusts, for which Equity Trustees acts as trustee, and is a continuation of an existing partnership.

    Over three years, the partners will be funded as follows:

    NFMRI: $1.76 million to advance medical research in the areas of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
    Monash Partners: $856,000 for research to improve health for children, those suffering from cancer, heart disease and depression.
    Mater Foundation: $824,000 to continue its research into children’s diseases, cancer and diabetes.

    Ms Jodi Kennedy, Equity Trustees General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, said: “Equity Trustees is delighted to be able to continue its innovative partnership with these three organisations, which we first commenced in 2017.

    “These groups bring together universities, medical research institutes, healthcare providers and industry and are leaders in collaboration and translation. Each plays an important part in advancing research and achieving equitable health outcomes for all Australians. We believe work of this nature requires sources of long-term capital rather than short-term funding.”

    Monash Partners Executive Director, Professor Helena Teede said the previous round of funding from Equity Trustees had been directed towards improving the lives of children, young and older people; supporting the career development of female clinical academics, clinicians and early to mid-career researchers; and aiding research that translates into community impact and better health.

    “Thanks to the vision and insightful approach of Equity Trustees, we have translated a wide range of innovative research projects designed to transform research into efficient delivery of our healthcare dollars to directly benefit patients,” Ms Teede said.

    “As a result of this funding, we have been able to work with the communities we serve to create longer-term health care strategies which will have significant and lasting benefits.”

    Dr Noel Chambers, NFMRI CEO said a further three-year partnership would enable NFMRI to continue supporting important research activities that would otherwise not be funded, with a focus on cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

    “This funding expands upon our pilot partnership with Equity Trustees, which helped NFMRI to achieve a 62% success rate in projects attracting next-step partners and leveraging a total of over $45 million in external funding,” he said.

    For Mater Foundation, the continued research effort means further progressing several areas of work including a significant focus on adult and paediatric immune responses to cancers under the direction of Dr Camille Guilerey and childhood disease and welfare progression by Associate Professor Kym Rae.

    “Equity Trustees ongoing support of Mater Foundation enables a wide range of research initiatives to be maintained and built upon over the next three years. In particular, we are able to support the career progression of two remarkable research leaders through the Outstanding Women in Research Award.
     
    “Dr Guilerey and Associate Professor Rae, in their respective fields of cancer immunotherapies and health and disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, are leading exceptional teams of emerging researchers to impactful outcomes,” said Mater Foundation Executive Director, Andrew Thomas.
     
    In FY21, Equity Trustees distributed a total of $96.2 million across a range of charitable and not-for-profit causes from grants and bequests, with 42.7% of funding made to medical research and health organisations. 

     

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees leads on DDO deadline

    As ASIC’s Design and Distribution Obligations (DDO) and Product Intervention Powers (PIP) RG 274 come into force next month (5 October), leading trustee Equity Trustees has acknowledged the industry-wide push to meet the deadline.
    As ASIC’s Design and Distribution Obligations (DDO) and Product Intervention Powers (PIP) RG 274 come into force next month (5 October), leading trustee Equity Trustees has acknowledged the industry-wide push to meet the deadline.

    Mick O’Brien, Equity Trustees Managing Director, said preparing for the regulatory change had been a major undertaking for fund managers, superannuation funds, trustees and Responsible Entities.

    “This is one of the most significant events on the calendars of fund managers this year, as funds and schemes that do not meet the deadline will be unable to offer their products to market. It has been a big achievement to get through the sheer workload of what is required,” he said. 

    The goal of RG 274 is to help consumers work out which financial products are appropriate for them by requiring issuers and distributors to have a consumer-centric approach to the design of the products and also how they are targeted - beyond the required disclosures.
     
    Australia’s funds management industry currently manages $4.1 trillion*. Equity Trustees worked with a significant portion of the industry as clients of our Responsible Entity service and as trustee of superannuation funds to prepare for the regulation, focussing on key areas including Target Market Determination (TMD), ensuring product governance arrangements address all stages of the lifecycle, and implementing additional product review and monitoring processes.

    As a specialist trustee, Equity Trustees oversees around $125bn in superannuation funds and managed investment schemes and produced well over 300 TMDs, while at the same time, conducting the newly introduced complementary Member Outcomes Assessment process for superannuation funds.

    The group drew on its experience of working with UK clients on MiFID II, which was implemented in 2018.

    “RG 274 has many similarities with MiFID II, so we were able to draw on our learnings from this process,” Mr O’Brien said.

    “We created frequently asked questions and how-to guides, adopted and distributed industry-benchmark templates and a resource page on our website with video updates and key documents to download.  

    “In addition, we held monthly online engagements – and then weekly as the deadline drew closer - with our clients, suppliers and distributors to exchange information and keep everyone informed and on track to meet the deadline.”

    Mr O’Brien said regulatory change in Australia continued apace and in the coming months Equity Trustees would be working with its clients to prepare for changes to the breach reporting and internal dispute resolution regimes as well as embedding APRA’s revised data reporting regime and the proposed changes to the insurance in superannuation.  

    “As a trustee and Responsible Entity, our goal is to continue to effectively use our capability as a trustee to support clients throughout these changes so they can focus on what they do best – managing investors’ and members’ money,” he said.

    *Statista, as at March 2021
     

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Responsible Entity and Corporate Trustee Services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • Australians can play a part in securing ongoing funds for charities and for - purpose organisations

    Many Australians choose to leave a legacy that will make a lasting difference after they’re gone rather than leaving a one-off charitable donation in their will.

    Many Australians choose to leave a legacy that will make a lasting difference after they’re gone rather than leaving a one-off charitable donation in their will.

    This is something all Australians can consider and  not just something for high income earners – Equity Trustees manages hundreds of examples of charitable trusts and structures left behind by ordinary Australians who made the decision at some stage during their lifetime to support the causes they care about by providing a sustainable funding stream for them to benefit from into the future. 

    John and Patricia (Pat) Anderson married a little later in life and were a happy partnership – living in Camberwell in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and holidaying in Lorne with their friends. He was a Minister with the Uniting Church and she was a devout Catholic with a fierce streak of independence who had enjoyed a career in the banking sector.

    John died in 1993, but Pat continued living a full and social life. When Pat died in December 2019, aged 94, she left behind a trust which had by then amassed around $12 million from their combined assets – even after leaving some gifts to extended family members. Her instructions were to establish a perpetual charitable trust called JOPA (combining the first two letters of their names).

    A number of charities were named to benefit – reflecting the interests and concerns of both John and Pat. JOPA will distribute funds from the trust into perpetuity to the Arthritis Association, Heart Foundation, Red Cross, Vision Australia, Prahran Mission, the Salvation Army and the Cancer Council. Separately, John left one-off gifts (bequests) in his Will to Dementia Australia, Geelong Animal Welfare Society, Lost Dogs Home, Melbourne City Mission, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, and the Uniting Church.

    “We’re honoured to carry out Pat’s instructions forever – Pat had long term objectives for her charitable giving. By appointing a professional trustee which has done this work for well over a century, Pat put in place a giving strategy that would stand the test of time.” explained Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

    “And in time, we can expect Pat’s trust to produce more than half a million dollars per year, in perpetuity to her causes.”

    Ms Kennedy said there are a range of philanthropic structures available to allow Australians to leave a lasting legacy to the community, in the way they want.

    “Some of the options include establishing a sub-fund under an existing public ancillary fund or creating a standalone private ancillary fund.  Either can be a great way to involve children and grandchildren in future giving decisions,” she said.

    “But whatever option is right for you, the key question is whether you, like Pat, want to create a legacy that can go on supporting charitable causes and organisations to do their work, by providing a sustainable funding stream for them to benefit from into the future..” 

     

    Download the Full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees
    appointed RE to
    Haven Wealth Partners

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as a responsible entity for Haven Wealth Partners, which has launched its first fund in the Australian market with a focus on ‘deep green’, ethical investing. 
    Equity Trustees has been appointed as a responsible entity for Haven Wealth Partners, which has launched its first fund in the Australian market with a focus on ‘deep green’, ethical investing. 

    The Haven Wealth Partners Ethical Absolute Return Fund is a value-focused ethical absolute return fund, which applies stringent positive and negative screens to its investments in companies that contribute to making a ‘significant change for the better’.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the launch of this exciting new fund, which we believe will help to meet demand from investors for ethical portfolio solutions.

    “Having an independent specialist RE can bring decades of experience, ensuring the fund meets compliance and governance requirements. It gives fund managers the confidence to focus on the commercial investment decisions and marketing the product, while we take care of the rest.”

    Nick Heuzenroeder, Managing Director and co-founder of Haven Wealth Partners said the fund launch was in response to strong demand from a rising number of ethical-focused investors seeking an investment that aligned with their personal and religious beliefs.

    “Our goal was to create a fund which makes a genuine difference to society, by limiting global warming and investing in areas such as renewable energy, healthcare and technology – while avoiding areas that are harmful to society.

    “There are many products on the Australian market which claim to be ESG-focused, but we wanted to take it one step further by creating a ‘deep green’ fund that is as ethical as it can be and can be used as a core portfolio solution by investing across different asset classes.” 

    The Fund is available to retail, wholesale and institutional investors and has already received significant interest, as demand for sustainable investments continues to grow.
     

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • HomeCo's new REIT to tap into growing healthcare sector

    Home Consortium (HomeCo) has announced plans to list its new healthcare focused REIT, HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT (ASX:HCW), on the ASX after successfully raising $650 million recently.

    Home Consortium (HomeCo) has announced plans to list its new healthcare focused REIT, HealthCo Healthcare and Wellness REIT (ASX:HCW), on the ASX after successfully raising $650 million recently. 

    The raising was upsized from $600 million following the strong response from retail and institutional investors.

    The REIT will invest in a diversified portfolio of healthcare assets including hospitals, aged care facilities, childcare facilities, medical centres and life science hubs.

    Equity Trustees was appointed as custodian for the listed fund and currently acts as custodian for the HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX:HDN), which owns convenience-based assets focused on neighbourhood, large format retail and health and wellness tenants in areas with access to densely populated trade areas.

    The initial portfolio of the REIT will consist of 27 seed assets with a fair value of $555 million1, which includes tenants such as the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, GenesisCare, Acurio Health Group and Guardian Childcare.
     
    Commenting on the launch, Sten Silavecky, Senior Manager, Structured Finance and Property, Equity Trustees said: “Equity Trustees is pleased to be working with HomeCo again to bring this exciting property fund to market.

    “In response to strong client demand in recent years, Equity Trustees has continued to build the scale and expertise to work with some of the largest property trusts in the market.”
      
    Equity Trustees currently acts as a responsible entity, trustee, bespoke custodian and escrow agent for a broad range of property trusts across Australia and New Zealand, acting on behalf of property funds with a total of $2.5 billion of assets.

      1 Based on independent valuations as at 31 August 2021 for all properties in the portfolio excluding 10 assets which are valued at purchase price.

    Download the Full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.    

  • This Sunday 8 August
    is Dying to Know Day

    Australians still shy away from tough conversations about death: Equity Trustees

    Australians still shy away from tough conversations about death: Equity Trustees

    Many Australians view death and dying as a taboo topic – and this is affecting the decisions they make and the quality of care they receive as they age, according to Equity Trustees. 

    As Australia marks ‘Dying To Know Day’, an annual campaign which encourages everyone to start conversations about death, Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees, said that as one of the largest sources of trustee philanthropic funding in Australia, Equity Trustees had been supporting the work of for-purpose organisations aiming to improve end-of-life outcomes through its aging and aged care granting program.

    “Unfortunately, death is still viewed as a morbid topic in our culture, but there can be real benefits to making your wishes known during your lifetime and involving family and friends in the process,” she said.

    The Wicking Trust, managed by Equity Trustees, is one of Australia’s most significant charitable trusts. Established in 2002 by John and Janet Wicking, the Trust has distributed close to $25 million over the past five years to improve the lives and prospects of older Australians, people with Alzheimer’s disease, and those who are blind or have low vision.

    The Wicking Trust has provided $600,000 over five years to The Groundswell Project, the founder of Dying to Know Day in Australia. The Groundswell Project is focused on improving how people in Australia die, care and grieve through a range of community and educational programs. It has also launched the Death Literacy Index, a world first population-based tool to measure death literacy.

    Jessie Williams, CEO of The Groundswell Project, said there had been a noticeable shift in the campaign this year, with an increase in confidence among event holders in encouraging shared conversations about dying as a part of living.

    “Death is often over-medicalised and institutionalised and because of the lack of options, knowledge and decision-making power, there can be negative repercussions for the person dying and those around them.

    "We are inviting our event holders to develop the campaign for a post-Covid Australia, where we aim to reach workplaces, health settings, households and communities; rural, remote and metropolitan. Our impact will be the increased numbers of Australians exercising choice and control over how they want to live and how they want to die.  

    “We are grateful to The Wicking Trust for their support in helping us to continue to socialise the conversation around death and dying and make it less of a taboo topic.”

    The Wicking Trust and Equity Trustees have also provided grants to a range of other organisations which are focused on end-of-life care across Australia.

    These include $1 million over eight years to The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) to convene and support a ‘Systemic Impact in End of Life Network’. The network is designed to connect people with the influence, resources and knowledge to create change in how Australian institutions approach death.

    The Trust has also provided a $1 million grant over three years to The Violet Initiative, which for 30 years has guided people caring for someone who is dying and is focused on improving care systems in the last stages of life.

    “It is no secret that our population is ageing and we are pleased to be working with a range of excellent causes that are helping to create meaningful change in the way Australians approach death and dying,” Ms Kennedy said.

    Ms Kennedy said this process can begin with estate planning which can be the first step in the process of planning ahead before ageing - and even end of life decisions – are a reality. 

    “It’s better to begin the conversation well before anyone has to act or make important decisions – whether it’s about your will, how you want to be cared for if you lose capacity or your wishes for organ donation - all of these can be planned by executing an estate plan that details all your wishes.

    “This Dying to Know Day, we encourage Australians to give some thought to their wishes and share them with family members because we believe everyone deserves a dignified end to their life.”

    More about Equity Trustees and Philanthropy here and Dying to Know Day here.

     

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees launches global active ETF fund

    Responding to strong demand from investors, Equity Trustees has partnered with Eight Bays Investment Management to create a new global fund that uses passive ETFs in an active way.
    Responding to strong demand from investors, Equity Trustees has partnered with Eight Bays Investment Management to create a new global fund that uses passive ETFs in an active way.

    The EQT Eight Bays Global Fund will use offshore exchange traded funds (ETFs) to provide investors here with access to growth from sectors not available locally, such as information technology, cyber security, communications services, medical devices and robotics among others.
     
    Darren Thompson, Head of Asset Management at Equity Trustees, said the rapidly growing and highly liquid US$5 trillion ETF market is an efficient and effective way to invest in these industries, and that the new fund had been developed specifically with charities and for-purpose organisations in mind.

    “More of the organisations and individuals that Equity Trustees serves are seeking global investments that can grow and diversify their capital.

    “We believe it represents an excellent opportunity for investors to access new markets with less stock specific risk.”
     
     
    Chris Haynes, Head of Equities at Equity Trustees and the team from Eight Bays Investment Management had been working on the concept for the last two years.
     
    “We have spent considerable time in preparing and testing the Global Fund strategy, which is consistent with, and complements the successful investment principles employed in our domestic equity products. We believe this is an innovative way to achieve strong and consistent investor outcomes,” said Mr Haynes.

    George Clapham, one of the founders of Eight Bays Investment Management, added: “Industry factors are the most important driver of shareholder value over the longer term.

    “The most efficient way for Australian investors to achieve global industry diversification is by investing in overseas industry ETFs.  An actively managed global ETF portfolio can provide superior performance with relatively low volatility and at a lower cost to investors.”
     
    The objective of the fund is to deliver outperformance of 2-3% a year over the benchmark of the MSCI All Countries index over the medium term, by selecting a portfolio of industry ETFs that provide exposure to companies possessing long-term sustainable growth prospects that exceed that of the broader market.

    “We add value by narrowing down the investable universe of ETFs and capitalising on changing dynamics of industries by selecting a portfolio which possess the most attractive prospects,” Mr Clapham said.
     
     
    Equity Trustees has been safeguarding the wealth of Australian individuals, families and philanthropic organisations for over 130 years. The group created its own asset management operation in 2002 and has A$4 billion in assets under management as at end March 2021.
       
    Eight Bays Investment Management is an investment company based in Sydney, which was established in 2019 by Richard Newton, Charles Cropper and George Clapham with the specific purpose of building and managing customised ETF portfolios for Australian retail, institutional and wholesale clients. The group’s global ETF strategy was seeded in January 2020.

    See more about Equity Trustees Asset Management here, and more detail about the EQT Eight Bays Global Fund here
     

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    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited ABN 33 006 132 332 | 234 528 (ETWSL) is the Responsible Entity for the EQT Eight Bays Global Fund (the Fund). Equity Trustees Limited (ETL) ABN 46 004 031 298 | AFSL 240 975 is the Investment Manager of the Fund. ETWSL and ETL are subsidiaries of EQT Holdings Limited ABN 22 607 797 615, a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). The Research and Advisory Consultant for the Fund is Eight Bays Investment Management Pty Ltd (EBIM) ABN 74 628 892 295 | AFSL 524810. This publication has been prepared by ETL to provide you with general information only. In preparing this publication, we did not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It is not intended to take the place of professional advice and you should not take action on specific issues in reliance on this information. Neither ETWSL, ETL, EBIM, nor any of their related parties, their employees or directors, provide any warranty of accuracy or reliability in relation to such information or accept any liability to any person who relies on it. Past performance should not be taken as an indicator of future performance. You should obtain a copy of the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about whether to invest in this product.

  • Equity Trustees bolsters trustee and wealth team with two new hires

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has announced two new additions to its Trustee and Wealth Services (TWS) team to meet client demands.

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has announced two new additions to its Trustee and Wealth Services (TWS) team to meet client demands.

    Kate Schell has been appointed as an Adviser in the Private Client team while Amanda Sartor joins as a Senior Relationship Manager in the Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy team. 

    Commenting on the appointments, Ian Westley, Executive General Manager, TWS said: “Equity Trustees is delighted to welcome Kate and Amanda, who will support the continued growth of our Trustee and Wealth Services business.”

    Kate brings more than 22 years’ experience in the financial services industry, with the past 15 years in wealth management. She joins the team servicing Equity Trustees’ private clients, coming from TruWealth, where she has spent four years as a Financial Adviser. Previously, she held positions at Morgan Stanley and E.L. & C. Baillieu Limited and Thornton Group. 

    Amanda, who will be focused on Equity Trustees’ philanthropy clients, was previously Manager, NFP and Philanthropic Services at Elston Private Wealth, where she was responsible for providing tailored philanthropic advice and NFP investment governance and strategy. She formerly held roles at multi-family office, EWM Group, as well as private wealth firms Affinity Private, Whittle & Skok Financial Services and NAB Private Wealth. 

    “Kate and Amanda both bring significant experience in building strong relationships, delivering valued advice and servicing the diverse needs of clients, which is the basis for our success,” Mr Westley concluded.

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • LGT Capital Partners appoints Equity Trustees as RE for new global alternatives fund

    LGT Capital Partners (LGT CP), an asset manager owned by the Princely House of Liechtenstein, has launched its first fund in the Australian market, the LGT Multi-Alternatives Australia Fund. 

    LGT Capital Partners (LGT CP), an asset manager owned by the Princely House of Liechtenstein, has launched its first fund in the Australian market, the LGT Multi-Alternatives Australia Fund.

    LGT CP, which manages more than US$75 billion (A$99 billion) * in funds under management and operates from 12 offices around the globe, has appointed Equity Trustees (ASX:EQT) as the local responsible entity for the new fund.

    The LGT Multi-Alternatives Australia Fund launches into a growth area in the Australian and New Zealand markets, with wholesale and institutional investors increasingly including alternatives as part of their portfolios. The fund invests predominantly in private markets, such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure and private debt as well as liquid alternatives including insurance-linked strategies, hedge funds and alternative risk premia.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said Equity Trustees was pleased to have added LGT CP to its growing list of global clients.

    “We are delighted to be supporting a global asset manager of such scale with the launch of their first fund in the Australian market,” he said.

    “We have grown to become the market leading responsible entity provider in Australia, offering the right support, expertise and capability for new entrants like LGT CP,” Mr Beasley said.

    Nathan Pensabene, Principal and Head of LGT CP’s Australian subsidiary said: “We have been very pleased with the interest regarding the launch of our first dedicated fund for Australian and New Zealand investors. Throughout both the due diligence and on-boarding processes we were impressed with the experience and local market knowledge offered by the team at Equity Trustees.”

    “We are looking forward to working with Equity Trustees to make this innovative fund available to institutional and wholesale investors in the Australian market. The fund will invest alongside our founders, employees and other investors, building on our more than twenty years of investment experience in alternative strategies.”

    *As at 31 March 2021

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Ltd (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • First Australians Capital awarded $500,000 grant to support Indigenous enterprise

    Equity Trustees has awarded a five-year grant of $500,000 to First Australians Capital (FAC), an Indigenous-led organisation that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.
    Equity Trustees has awarded a five-year grant of $500,000 to First Australians Capital (FAC), an Indigenous-led organisation that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.

    FAC provides essential support to nurture a vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector. Some of the services it offers include business planning, financial modelling, engaging pro bono legal advice and access to capital. Over 400 businesses have benefited from the work of FAC since 2016.

    The grant was enabled by six individual trusts within the Equity Trustees Sector Capacity Building Program, which makes grants supporting organisations that are solving complex societal issues. In the 2020/21 financial year the Fund, which is valued at $66 million, distributed $1.9 million via 18 grants.

    Ferdi Hepworth, Sector Capacity Building Program manager, Equity Trustees, said the grant aligned with Equity Trustees’ strategic goals of unlocking sector potential and funding for impact.
     
    “Having worked to support Indigenous organisations and Indigenous self-determination for the past decade I know first-hand that the best solutions come by backing First Nations experts to deliver their own solutions. That’s why it’s so exciting to be able to support the team at FAC to strengthen the Indigenous ecosystem in Australia,” she said.

    The most recent grant to FAC follows a three-year $300,000 grant made by Equity Trustees and its partners, taking the total commitment to eight years.

    Leah Armstrong, Managing Director, FAC said: “We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with Equity Trustees to overcome barriers that Indigenous entrepreneurs face in building their businesses.
     
    “The partnership will support more Indigenous businesses to become investment-ready, turn into viable and sustainable enterprises and deliver better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.”

    As Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week, Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees said the grant formed part of an ongoing commitment by Equity Trustees to supporting Indigenous causes.

    “NAIDOC Week plays an important role in celebrating the history, culture and achievements of First Australians and because of that, we’re proud to sponsor a number of NAIDOC events and awards. As a RAP organisation, we are also committed to working in close partnership with communities and organisations to understand what is important to their needs and where our granting programs can have the most social and economic impact,” he said.

    The 2020 Snapshotshows examples of ways Equity Trustees seeks to support and empower First Nations peoples, and the 2020 Philanthropy Annual Giving Review, details the impact of grants and funding in the FY20 year. 
     

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  • Bolton Clarke awarded $400,000 grant to support nurses in need

    Victorian nurses experiencing disadvantage will benefit from a $400,000 grant awarded to Bolton Clarke (formerly known as the Royal District Nursing Service) following a recent granting round on behalf of The Arthur Emilio Loyer Estate.

    Victorian nurses experiencing disadvantage will benefit from a $400,000 grant awarded to Bolton Clarke (formerly known as the Royal District Nursing Service) following a recent granting round on behalf of The Arthur Emilio Loyer Estate.

    The Estate was set up in memory of nurse Mabel Alice Sharrott to assist nurses who have given at least 15 years of service to the community, with some of that time spent nursing in Victoria. The trust seeks to support retired or working nurses facing disadvantage by providing grants for accommodation needs.

    Bolton Clarke was established in 1885 and is now Australia’s largest not-for-profit nursing organisation, with a dedicated team of Home Care nurses.

    The group has significant experience in the establishment, administration and distribution of grant funds and programs for nurses, including the provision of nine scholarship and education grants. It also administers a ‘Good Samaritan Fund’, which supports clients in financial hardship.

    Bolton Clarke Executive General Manager At Home Support, Deidre McGill said the grant would be used to support frontline nurses who have given so much to the community.

    “The funds will support establishment of the Mabel Alice Sharrott Accommodation Fund for Nurses in Need to support the accommodation needs of nurses facing disadvantage on a number of fronts, from ageing to domestic violence, divorce, the death of a partner and mental ill health,” she said.

    Equity Trustees, the trustee for the Arthur Emilio Loyer Estate, carried out the recent granting round on behalf of the trust.

    Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts, Equity Trustees, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the life changing work nurses carry out. We have been grateful for their crucial role in healthcare and supporting those who have needed it most.

    “It is an honour to be working with the Arthur Emilio Loyer Estate, which has been supporting the accommodation needs of nurses since it was established in 1953, to give back to nurses for their essential work. We look forward to working with Bolton Clarke to deploy this funding to the Victorian nursing community.”

    The 2020 Philanthropy Annual Giving Review, which details the impact of grants and funding in the FY20 year, is available online.

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    +61 03 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Harvest Lane transitions two funds to
    Equity Trustees

    Harvest Lane Asset Management has selected Equity Trustees as the new responsible entity for two of its funds.

    Harvest Lane Asset Management has selected Equity Trustees as the new responsible entity for two of its funds.

    Based in Sydney, Harvest Lane has a focus on generating positive returns on capital, regardless of economic conditions. Equity Trustees this month took over as responsible entity for the flagship Harvest Lane Asset Management Absolute Return Fund and the Harvest Lane Asset Management Absolute Return Plus Fund.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees, said the group was pleased to be adding Harvest Lane to its growing suite of corporate trustee clients.

    “We are delighted to have been selected as RE for these two funds. This is the first time we have worked with Harvest Lane Asset Management, who have established a strong reputation and track record in the absolute return sector in Australia,” he said.

    Luke Cummings, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director, Harvest Lane Asset Management said: “At a time of record M&A activity in Australia, we are uniquely positioned to benefit as one of the only pure-play exposures to this thematic within the Australian market.” 

    “Investors and their advisors are starting to recognise the benefits of having exposure to M&A as part of a diversified portfolio and we look forward to working with a service provider of the calibre of Equity Trustees as we continue to grow our business.”

    Equity Trustees has continued to expand its Corporate Trustee Services in recent years, with its UK ACD, UCITS Management Company and AIFM services attracting the attention of global managers.

    With A$87 billion* in assets under supervision, Equity Trustees is widely recognised as the leading provider of fund governance services in Australia, with more than 100 Australian and international investment manager clients.

    *as at 1HY20 for the CTS Division ($128 billion Equity Trustees group-wide)

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers..

  • Coolabah appoints
    Equity Trustees as RE
    for new quoted fund

    Coolabah Capital Investments (Retail) Pty (CCI) has selected Equity Trustees to act as responsible entity for its latest quoted fund offering.

    Coolabah Capital Investments (Retail) Pty (CCI) has selected Equity Trustees to act as responsible entity for its latest quoted fund offering.

    The Coolabah Active Composite Bond Fund (Hedge Fund) is a dual registry (listed and unlisted) fund and will be available on Chi-X Australia – the first time CCI has launched a fund on Australia’s second largest securities exchange.

    CCI is one of Australia’s leading active credit managers, responsible for managing over $6.5 billion. Its new quoted fund offers an active composite bond strategy, investing in a diversified portfolio of defensive assets of investment-grade quality, including cash, government bonds, senior and subordinated bonds and asset-backed securities. The Fund may also invest in over-the-counter derivatives for risk management purposes.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, said: “We are delighted to be working with Coolabah Capital Investments, our client since 2018, on its latest quoted fund launch in the Australian market.

    “Quoted funds are great way for fund managers to tap into the booming retail investor market and for investors to access investment opportunities through their preferred platform, without all the cumbersome paperwork that is usually required.”

    As specialists in fund governance and compliance, Equity Trustees has assisted with the launch of quoted funds in the Australian market since November 2020.

    “We provide our expertise as responsible entity to assist managers to navigate ASIC and the exchange compliance processes, as well as the design features of the innovative dual registry structure delivered by Mainstream Fund Services,” Mr Beasley said.

    Ying Yi Ann Cheng, Portfolio Management Director and Market Technicals Analyst, Coolabah Capital said: “We are delighted to introduce our market-leading, daily liquidity, long duration, Coolabah Active Composite Bond Fund (Hedge Fund) as a quotable product to the retail market. This was previously an institutional strategy for super funds that was not available to the public.

    “Since the Coolabah Active Composite Bond Fund’s (Hedge Fund) inception in March 2017, it has returned 5.35% per annum after retail fees. That’s 1.37% above the Composite Bond Index’s 3.98% per annum return. It ranks in the top 2 strategies in Mercer’s Australian fixed-income (active) universe over the last 3 years to 30 April 2021."

    Chi-X Australia is the securities and derivatives exchange which is transforming the Australian investment market by delivering easy, cost-effective access to local and global investment opportunities.

    Chi-X Chief Executive Vic Jokovic said quoted funds had become a strong trend in retail distribution. 
     
    “We are pleased to be adding the Coolabah Active Composite Bond Fund (Hedge Fund) and believe it will help to broaden the range of options for investors seeking a more defensive allocation for their portfolio,” he said.

    Read more about our view on quoted funds here.

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    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Ltd (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Protect yourself
    and your loved ones
    from elder abuse

    Elder abuse is a horrifying prospect we’ve come to better understand thanks to relentless work by recent media investigations and royal commissions.

    Elder abuse is a horrifying prospect we’ve come to better understand thanks to relentless work by recent media investigations and royal commissions.

    No one likes to think they (or someone they love) will ever be a victim in this way but all Australians can take action well before there is a possibility of losing capacity to safeguard against this frightening possibility, according to Equity Trustees.

    “Trustee companies were established with the purpose of taking care of people who could not take care of themselves – usually in relation to financial affairs,” said Ian Westley, Executive General Manager of Private Clients at Equity Trustees.

    As Australia marks Elder Abuse Awareness Day today, one of the country’s oldest trustee companies which has taken care of generations of families, has urged all Australians to think ahead.

    “Over time, being a trustee has come to mean ensuring broader care is in place depending on a client’s needs. We now protect the interests of and support Australians who have lost capacity due to age or injury. Almost always, these plans have been put in place well before they were needed – and sometimes in the hope they never would be,” Mr Westley said.

    The problem of elder abuse is of increasing concern as Australia’s population ages. By 2050 just over a fifth of the population is projected to be over 65 and those over 85 will represent 5% of the population . As a result, more older Australians are falling victim to financial, physical or emotional abuse, neglect or exploitation by dubious service providers purporting to be professional or tradespeople.

    “We have direct experience of stepping in to either stop – or claw back – money being scammed from some of our most vulnerable clients by fake tradespeople and involving police in those matters. The financial loss is serious – but worse is the impact it has on the confidence of people – particularly those who have worked hard to maintain independence in their own homes,” he said.

    Marie Brownell, National Manager Estate Planning, Equity Trustees explained that some of the planning should include some fairly straightforward estate planning documents including an Enduring Power of Attorney and Appointment of Enduring Guardian.

    “Nominating an attorney and guardian who can make legal, financial and lifestyle decisions on your behalf is a key part of this process,” she said.

    “While a child may seem like the natural choice, they are not always the right choice – particularly if you don’t always see eye to eye. Your attorney should be someone who you consider to be 100% reliable and trustworthy. This could be a family member or someone outside the family such as a family friend or professional.”

    A professional attorney will be on the lookout for any decline in your capacity over time and can watch for any signs of financial abuse, for example by checking your accounts for any changes in spending patterns.

    Specialist attorneys, such as the team at Equity Trustees can also help with other services, such as providing regular check ins and organising in-home care services.

    Avoid becoming isolated

    Elderly people who are isolated not only have limited opportunities to interact with others but are more vulnerable to elder abuse. 

    “The solution could be as simple as finding a friendly local taxi or Uber driver to provide transport to shops or regular activities,” Ms Brownell said.

    “It is also worth getting to know the services and charities in your area that are catered to older people. This could be a social group that offers transport or charities which are focused on tackling isolation in the elderly.”

    Look out for warning signs

    Being aware of the signs of elder abuse is also important for family members or carers of an older person. 

    “Someone who is being mistreated may suddenly behave differently, avoid leaving their home or appear quieter or more anxious than usual. There may also be changes in their physical appearance, such as a lack of grooming or unexplained bruises or fractures,” Ms Brownell said.

    Financial abuse, where an older person has their funds improperly or illegally accessed, is one of the most common types of elder abuse, so family members should be on the lookout for any financial inconsistencies.

    “Look out for irregularities on bank accounts or credit cards, large sums of money or assets being transferred, the person being asked to guarantee loans or mortgages on someone else’s behalf or signs they have taken up a product or service they usually don’t use,” Ms Brownell noted.

    Speak up

    If you are an older Australian who is unhappy with the care you are receiving, speak up and let a trusted person know the situation. 

    Friends and family of an elderly person should also be aware that many cases of elder abuse are hidden and go unreported, often due to fear or reprisals or because the abuser is a family member. 

    “If you suspect abuse is taking place, raise the alarm with a community group, contact a lawyer or, if a criminal act is suspected, get in touch with the police.

    “We all have a responsibility to advocate for older people if they are unable or unwilling to speak for themselves. While elder abuse can raise complex social and legal issues, calling it out is essential and shows your loved one that help is at hand,” Ms Brownell concluded.

    Additional support is available by phoning 1800 353 374. 

     

    1 Australian Institute of Family Studies

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    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Felton Bequest
    gifts ambitious
    Quilty artwork
    to NGV

    A seven-panel panoramic landscape painting by leading artist Ben Quilty has found a new home at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia.

    A seven-panel panoramic landscape painting by leading artist Ben Quilty has found a new home at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia. The artwork was gifted to the NGV, which attracts around two million visitors every year, by the Felton Bequest.

    The Felton Bequest was established in 1904 and is Australia’s first great philanthropic gift. It remains the most valuable bequest ever made to the arts in Australia with the artworks gifted to the NGV from the Bequest now valued at $2.8billion.

    The oil painting, ‘150 Year, Rorschach’ was inspired by a landscape familiar to Quilty and his son from regular bushwalks near their home in the NSW Southern Highlands. Mr Quilty received permission from the traditional owners of the land, the Gundangara people, to create the work. It depicts a waterhole and four introduced species - a cat, toad, fox and goat.

    “As an avid art collector, Alfred Felton was passionate about establishing Melbourne as an international centre of the arts,” said Sir Andrew Grimwade, Chairman of the Felton Bequests’ Committee. “I am sure he would have been delighted to see this fascinating artwork gifted to the NGV, which today boasts one of the finest art collections in the Southern Hemisphere.”

    Alfred Felton made a fortune as a merchant and manufacturer in a number of sectors, from pharmaceuticals to chemicals and glass. In addition to his love of the arts, he was also known for his association with The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, where he lived until his death in 1904. ‘The Espy’ has a floor named after him – The Ghost of Alfred Felton – featuring pictures and paraphernalia of his time there.

    The Felton Bequest divides its income between the NGV and charitable causes that support women and children. It is one of more than 650 charitable trusts managed by Equity Trustees, which distributed over $90 million in grants and bequests last year.

    “As the Trustee of the Felton Bequest, we are proud to have guardianship over Alfred Felton’s legacy,” said Carol Schwartz, Chair of Equity Trustees.

    “At almost nine metres wide, this thought-provoking work is one of the largest and most ambitious paintings created by Ben Quilty and we think these terms also apply to the purpose and impact of the Felton Bequest.”

    Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees said: “With the challenges the last year has presented for the arts sector, it is reassuring that we are able to continue delivering to Alfred Felton’s wishes to foster a thriving arts culture in Victoria”.

     

    ‘150 Year, Rorschach’ is installed at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square.

    The 2020 Philanthropy Annual Giving,Review which details the impact of grants and funding in the FY20 year, is available online.

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • EFM Asset Management selects Equity Trustees for new fund

    EFM Asset Management Limited (EFM) has appointed Equity Trustees as responsible entity for its latest offering, the EFM Global Financial Services and Technology Trust.

    EFM Asset Management Limited (EFM) has appointed Equity Trustees as responsible entity for its latest offering, the EFM Global Financial Services and Technology Trust.

    A listed global equities specialist based out of Hong Kong, EFM has a focus on quality growth investments. EFM will join the growing list of global fund managers entering Australia, with the launch of the EFM Global Financial Services and Technology Trust in the local market.

    The Trust provides access to a diverse range of global opportunities in the financial services and technology sectors, with the aim of achieving absolute returns for investors. It will adopt the successful investment strategy followed by EFM’s existing offshore fund.

    Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees said Equity Trustees was pleased to be working with EFM Asset Management for the first time.

    “We are delighted to have been selected to undertake the responsible entity role for this exciting new investment offering and congratulate EFM on its launch,” he said.

    Mr Beasley said Equity Trustees had continued to expand its Corporate Trustee Services in recent years, with its UK ACD, UCITS Management Company and AIFM services attracting the attention of global managers.

    “Our global offering is assisting investment managers who wish to tap into new markets, with the backing of a partner that can provide specialist local knowledge and a robust compliance and governance structure,” he said.

    Jeff Emmanuel, Executive Chairman and CIO of EFM Asset Management said: “Our flagship FST Fund has been awarded a 4-Star “Superior” Rating by the highly regarded fund rating agency, SQM Research.

    “We are proud to partner with Equity Trustees to provide Australian based investors the ability to tap into winning companies in the global financial services and technologies sectors.”

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • AIIB appoints
    Equity Trustees as
    debt issuance agent

    The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has appointed EQT Australia Pty Ltd (Equity Trustees) as its registrar, issuing and paying agent to service A$-denominated notes issued by AIIB under its A$ and NZ$ Debt Issuance Programme.

    AIIB appoints Equity Trustees as debt issuance agent and issues inaugural Kangaroo bond


    The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has appointed EQT Australia Pty Ltd (Equity Trustees) as its registrar, issuing and paying agent to service A$-denominated notes issued by AIIB under its A$ and NZ$ Debt Issuance Programme.

    AIIB issued its inaugural A$500 million Sustainable Development Kangaroo bond under its A$ and NZ$ Debt Issuance Programme on 6 May 2021.  

    AIIB began operations in Beijing in 2016. It is a multilateral development bank with 103 approved members from around the world, representing around 80% of the global population.  By investing in sustainable infrastructure, AIIB unlocks new capital, new technologies and new ways in which to address climate change and to connect Asia, and the world.

    Commenting on the appointment, James Connell, General Manager, Corporate Trust and Securitisation, Equity Trustees said: “AIIB’s work is key to expanding and improving essential infrastructure in Asia. We are delighted to be working with the AIIB for the first time in Australia, providing Australian investors with the opportunity to participate in the rapid development of the Asian region.”

    AIIB is rated AAA/Aaa/AAA respectively by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Services and Fitch Ratings.

    AIIB’s mission is to enable clients to build Infrastructure for Tomorrow—green infrastructure with sustainability, innovation and connectivity at its core. The Bank currently has in excess of 110 projects approved, with total approved financing of over US$24 billion. AIIB’s investments focus on one or more of its four thematic priorities; green infrastructure, connectivity and regional cooperation, technology-enabled infrastructure and private capital mobilisation.

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

    THE ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BANK (AIIB) IS NEITHER A BANK NOR AN AUTHORISED DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTION WHICH IS AUTHORISED UNDER THE BANKING ACT 1959 OF AUSTRALIA (BANKING ACT). ANY NOTES ISSUED BY AIIB ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT NOR OF ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AND, IN PARTICULAR, ARE NOT GUARANTEED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. AN INVESTMENT IN ANY NOTES ISSUED BY AIIB WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE DEPOSITOR PROTECTION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 13A OF THE BANKING ACT AND WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S BANK DEPOSIT GUARANTEE (ALSO COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE FINANCIAL CLAIMS SCHEME).

  • Equity Trustees launches second global equity UCITS fund for Evenlode Investment

    Evenlode Investment Management, a leading UK based boutique investment house has launched a second Global Equity fund in Ireland, the Evenlode Global Opportunities Fund.

    Evenlode Investment Management, a leading UK based boutique investment house has launched a second Global Equity fund in Ireland, the Evenlode Global Opportunities Fund.  

    Equity Trustees are the appointed UCITS Management Company to the Evenlode ICAV to support the launch of Evenlode’s second sub-fund. 

    The new Evenlode Global Opportunities Fund, managed by Chris Elliott and James Knoedler, follows the collegiate and robust investment process that Evenlode applies across their fund range in both the UK and Europe.  

    “We’re proud to support Evenlode as they expand their UCITS fund range and look forward to partnering with them as they develop this exciting new offering,” said Kevin Lavery, CEO, Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland). 

    “Equity Trustees continues to demonstrate its ability to support existing and new clients as it continues to grow its presence in Europe through our UCITS and AIFMD offering.  At the core of our model is the belief that by providing a comprehensive Management Company service that goes beyond the pure regulatory requirements, we can allow our clients to focus on their core skillsets.”

    Commenting on the new launch, Ben Peters, Fund Manager and co-founder of Evenlode said: “We are delighted to launch a second UCITS in our Irish ICAV and to continue developing our relationship with Equity Trustees. The Equity Trustees team has led this project from the front, allowing us to focus on portfolio management and our clients.”

    “Equity Trustees is the leading provider of Trustee and Fund Governance services in Australia with funds under administration and management of more than AUD $100b, acting as fiduciary for nearly 300 funds and 100 Investment Managers” said Harvey Kalman, Managing Director UK and Europe & Global Head of Business Development Fund Services, Equity Trustees.  

    “Our European offices are continuing this success story by providing our clients with a trusted partner in both Ireland and the UK,” concluded Mr Kalman.

     

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.  Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Ltd (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited. 

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Hamilton Global Opportunities PLC selects Equity Trustees as Alternative Investment Fund Manager

    Hamilton Global Opportunities PLC (HGO) has selected Equity Trustees to act as the Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) to the Company.


    Hamilton Global Opportunities PLC (HGO) has selected Equity Trustees to act as the Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) to the Company.

    HGO is a UK based Company that has recently listed on Euronext Growth Paris following a successful private placement offering.

    HGO is a new client for Equity Trustees, a 132-year-old Australian trustee business now providing independent fund governance services in both Ireland and the UK.

    HGO stems from Hamilton Ventures, a Merchant Banking boutique founded by Sir Peter Edward Middleton and Gustavo Perrotta in 2009 in response to valuation-driven growth capital opportunities post the financial crisis. 

    “We’re delighted to have been chosen by Hamilton Global Opportunities PLC and partner with them on the development of this exciting offering,” said Kevin Lavery, CEO, Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland).

    “Equity Trustees continues to grow its presence in Europe through its UCITS and AIFMD offering, allowing clients to focus on their core skillsets”.

    HGO will invest in sustainable opportunities arising from direct access into growth stage companies in Tech, Fintech and Medtech with a primary focus on Silicon Valley and Israel.

    “Equity Trustees have demonstrated a true partnership approach throughout the process. Their support, flexibility, knowledge and experience simplified the process and enabled us to focus on developing the strategy and interacting with our shareholders”, said Gustavo Perrotta, CEO and Founder, Hamilton Global Opportunities PLC.

    “Equity Trustees is the leading provider of trustee and fund governance services in Australia with funds under administration and management of more than AUD $100b, acting as fiduciary for nearly 300 funds and 100 investment managers,” said Harvey Kalman, Managing Director UK and Europe & Global Head of Business Development Fund Services, Equity Trustees.

    “Our European offices are continuing to strengthen by providing our clients with a trusted partner in both the UK and Ireland,” concluded Mr Kalman.

    Download the full media release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    +61 03 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.  Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Ltd (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.


  • Gate Capital selects
    Equity Trustees for launch of The Written Fund

    Gate Capital has selected Equity Trustees to provide UCITS Management Company services for its latest offering, The Written Fund.

    Gate Capital has selected Equity Trustees to provide UCITS Management Company services for its latest offering, The Written Fund.

    The Fund was launched on the Equity Trustees’ Irish domiciled UCITS ‘Gateway’ platform and is now open to investors.

    Gate Capital is a new client for Equity Trustees, a 132-year-old Australian trustee business now providing independent fund governance services in both the UK and Ireland.

    The Written Fund (a covered option writing fund), aims to achieve medium to long term capital appreciation by investing in equities and pursuing an active Equity Option writing strategy.

    “We’re pleased to have been chosen by Gate Capital to partner with them on the development of this exciting fund offering,” said Kevin Lavery, CEO, Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland).

    “Our UCITS Gateway Platform continues to be a popular choice for Asset Managers looking for a turn-key solution to launching UCITS funds in Europe.”

    FCA regulated Gate Capital Group provides a range of tailored investment strategies to investors seeking better risk-managed net returns through a combination of Equities, Bonds, Futures, Options and Alternative assets, to secure capital and seek above average returns.

    “Equity Trustees have shown a true partnership approach throughout the launch project. Their commitment, knowledge and experience simplified the process and enabled us to focus on developing the strategy and interacting with our investors,” said Justin Jenk, Director, Gate Capital Group.

    “Equity Trustees is the leading provider of trustee and fund governance services in Australia with funds under administration and management of more than AUD $100b, acting as fiduciary for nearly 300 funds and 100 investment managers,” said Harvey Kalman, Managing Director UK and Europe & Global Head of Business Development Fund Services, Equity Trustees.

    “Our European offices are continuing to strengthen by providing our clients with a trusted partner in both the UK and Ireland,” concluded Mr Kalman.

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.  Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Ltd (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited.

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

  • Kelly O'Dwyer
    joins Equity Trustees Board

    Equity Trustees (ASX: EQT) today announced the appointment of The Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer as a non-executive director to its Board.


    Equity Trustees (ASX: EQT) today announced the appointment of The Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer as a non-executive director to its Board.

    Ms O’Dwyer was the Liberal Party member for the Federal seat of Higgins in the Australian Parliament for nine years. Prior to entering Parliament, Ms O’Dwyer worked in law, government and finance.

    Elected at age 32, she was the youngest woman appointed to Cabinet and the first woman to serve in Cabinet in a Treasury portfolio, and the only Cabinet Minister to have given birth during her period in office.

    “Kelly’s track record in leadership and senior roles at the highest level of government is well recorded,” said Chair Carol Schwartz AO, who is the first woman in the company’s 130+ year history to be appointed Chair of the Equity Trustees Board in October last year.

    “She brings a combination of deep understanding of government and policy, with a focus on economic and tax policy, Australia’s financial regulatory framework, corporate governance, risk and compliance, and significant leadership experience. Her experience in reforming the superannuation system and financial services, and her work in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation will bring new perspectives and ideas to the Equity Trustees board room,” said Ms Schwartz.

    “Ms O’Dwyer brings an exceptional combination of talent and expertise. I welcome her on behalf of the Board of Australia’s leading trustee company and look forward to working with her.”

    The company also announced that Mr Jim Minto is stepping down from the Board today: “We thank Jim for his significant and valuable contribution to Equity Trustees during his four years of service, including his work as Chair of the Board Risk Committee,” Ms Schwartz concluded. 

    More about the Equity Trustees Board is available in our Investor Centre online, where the ASX Announcement of this appointment is also available.

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Responsible Entity and Corporate Trustee Services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • A brighter outlook for philanthropic investors

    In the wake of a tough year for the not-for-profit sector, which saw sharp falls in much-needed investment earnings, 2021 is set to be a year of recovery, according to Equity Trustees.

    In the wake of a tough year for the not-for-profit sector, which saw sharp falls in much-needed investment earnings, 2021 is set to be a year of recovery, according to Equity Trustees.

    Darren Thompson, Head of Asset Management, Equity Trustees said following a 24% fall in the 2019 financial year, corporate earnings were expected to rebound by over 20% this year. This is likely to have a knock-on effect for dividends, which Equity Trustees predicts will rise by 20%, compared to a 38% decline in 2019.

    “While we do not expect to be back at pre-pandemic heights until 2024, we do see a rapidly improving outlook, which we know will be welcome news to philanthropic investors who rely on earnings and dividends to meet their ongoing charitable commitments,” he said.

    Mr Thompson noted that in early 2020, dividends in Australia fell more than in any other developed nation, due to its high exposure to industries which were more adversely affected during COVID-19, including banks, real estate and energy. 

    “Australia’s ability to manage the pandemic relatively well, along with the rollout of a vaccine, means that GDP is expected to rebound by around 4% in 2021,” he said. 

    “This improving economic outlook, coupled with less restrictions and continued monetary and fiscal support, bodes well for a recovery in corporate performance and dividends.”

    Mr Thompson said yields from cash and fixed income would remain anchored by ultra-low interest rates around the world.

    “Our expectation is that Australian and US 10-year bond yields could end 2021 at between 1.5% and 2% and as such there is real potential for fixed income returns to be negative in the coming year. A rising and steepening yield curve, coupled with low coupon rates, increases the relative appeal of equities as an asset class,” he said.

    Looking forward, Mr Thompson noted that equity market valuations had arguably captured much of the expected improvement in economic conditions.

    “In this environment, portfolio returns are more likely to be driven by stock selection rather than macro factors. Our focus will therefore remain on identifying attractively priced companies with strong balance sheets and relatively safe dividends.”

    Equity Trustees offers a range of tailored investment portfolios for charitable, corporate and private clients and specialises in funds management for tax-exempt entities. It also offers socially responsible investing options for values-focused investors.

    The group provides investment management services for more than 600 not-for-profit entities, with total charitable funds under management of $2.5 billion, and acts as trustee for many well-known, perpetual charitable foundations. It also manages portfolios for clients in a range of service areas within the company, including private clients, testamentary and compensatory trusts.

    More about Equity Trustees Asset Management service, including previous market updates are available on our website.

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Responsible Entity and Corporate Trustee Services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • Aracon appoints Equity Trustees as super trustee

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) has been appointed as independent super trustee of The Aracon Superannuation Fund (ASF), overseeing the $400 million master trust.

    Equity Trustees appointed as specialist super trustee of Aracon Super

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) has been appointed as independent super trustee of The Aracon Superannuation Fund (ASF), overseeing the $400 million master trust. 

    The latest announcement follows Equity Trustees’ super trustee appointments including HUB24’s Super Fund, AMP Life’s superannuation funds and by AIA to oversee their superannuation funds.

    “We are really pleased to see a further appointment for our superannuation trustee business.  There is no question this is a growth part of our specialist trustee business and there is strong interest in our credentials as pure independent professional trustee with scale and capability to deal with any level of complexity,” said Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien.

    Executive General Manager of Equity Trustees’ Superannuation Trustee Office, Mark Blair, said: “We have focused on building-out our technical and professional capability, with a number of new professionals joining the team in recent months, to ensure we are the preferred independent trustee for Australian super funds.”

     “The appointment to act as trustee for the Aracon Superannuation Fund is another great addition to our rapidly growing superannuation trustee business. We look forward to working towards ensuring the best member outcomes can be achieved now and, in the future,” Mr Blair concluded.

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.
  • Australians urged to consider organ donation after 2020 fall

    Organ donor numbers in Australia dropped last year as hospitals were forced to scale back operations and flights fell as a result of COVID-19 induced lockdowns and border closures.

    With 1,270 patients receiving an organ from 463 deceased donors, the number of transplants fell 12% from 2019, while the number of donors decreased by 16%. Most significantly, 18% fewer kidney patients received the transplants they needed, according to research from the Australian Government[1].

    Marie Brownell, National Manager of Estate Planning, Equity Trustees, today urged Australians who wished to become donors to ensure their registration is up to date.

    “A common misconception is that Australians are registered for donation through their driver’s licence. In fact, state-based registries no longer exist,” she said.

    “South Australian residents can record their donation decision when applying for or renewing a licence and this information is then directly transferred to the national register. If you live in another state, you will need to join the Australian Organ Donor Register. Signing up online takes less than a minute but could one day make a huge difference to a sick person in need.”

    There are a few other ways you can ensure your wishes are clear:

    1. Inform your Executor

    Legally, when a person dies, their Executor has responsibility for dealing with the body. There is only a small window of opportunity to transplant the organs of a deceased person, so waiting for the will to be read may be too late. Make sure your Executor is clear about your wishes.

    2. Talk to your family

    In Australia family members must consent to organ donation before it can proceed. Yet Transplant Australia data2 shows that each year, around 40% of families decline donation. This is largely due to the family being unaware of their loved one’s wishes. Of the 51% of Australians who do know the donation decisions of their family member, 94% would uphold the decision.

    3. Take action today

    While Australia is a world leader for successful organ and tissue transplants, with only one in three Australians registered as donors and 1650 waitlisted for a transplant, now more than ever there is a need for Australians to say ‘yes’ to organ donation.

    “While it can be hard to think about what will happen to your body after you die, registering to become a donor is a generous decision that is well worth making,” Ms Brownell concluded.

    To register to become an organ donor, visit https://donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today.

    Read a longer article on this topic here, or find out more about Equity Trustees’ wills and estate planning services are available on our website.



    [1] Australian Government Organ and Tissue Authority


    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees Delivers Strong Funds Growth As Earnings rebound on previous half

    Performance confirms strategy and growth momentum

    PERFORMANCE CONFIRMS STRATEGY AND GROWTH MOMENTUM


    • Funds under management, administration and supervision up 27% on previous half to $128 billion
    • Revenue $48.3 million, up 3.7% on previous half and in line with prior comparative period (pcp) ($48.9 million)
    • Net profit $9.8 million, up 27.4% on previous half and down 14.5% vs pcp
    • Underlying NPAT $10.7 million, up 8.7% on previous half and down 6.5% vs pcp
    • Interim dividend 44 cents per share
    • Fulfilling purpose of safeguarding people’s wealth and supporting the community
    • Outlook positive, with industry trends supporting independent fiduciary model

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced ongoing strong growth in funds under management, administration and supervision (FUMAS), rising 27% to $128 billion during the six months ended 31 December 2020.

    The strong funds growth continued to support earnings as equity markets started to recover during the half, with net profit for the period up 27.4% to $9.8 million, on revenue of $48.3 million, up 3.7%, compared with the previous half. The Board declared an interim dividend of 44 cents per share.

    Chair Carol Schwartz AO said: “Equity Trustees continued to seize the opportunity for growth during a particularly challenging environment.

    “The excellent increase in FUMAS and strong financial turnaround reflect our strategy of investing for growth, as well as the resilience of our people and their commitment to our clients and beneficiaries.

    “While equity markets are recovering, they remain below prior levels, and this has had an impact on our business. However, the industry trend to outsource the fiduciary role continues to benefit us, and both TWS and CTS delivered underlying organic growth during the half.”

    Managing Director Mick O’Brien said the strength of the group’s core business and the substantial investment in people and technology underpinned the result.

    “The ongoing funds growth is very encouraging, as FUMAS is what drives future revenue streams,” he said.

    “Operating expenses were contained, up 3.4% to $33.5 million, continuing to reflect the ongoing investment in people and technology to underpin future growth. Equity Trustees has not applied for or received any Government support during this period.

    Mr O’Brien said stabilising equity markets were positive for earnings, and very good growth in corporate trust and related products provided further opportunities.

    He said the net profit was impacted by two significant items - $1.7 million in M&A project costs and a $0.8 million write-back of a tax provision. Adjusting for these two items would see underlying NPAT of $10.7 million.

    “The ongoing growth in FUMAS and the resilience of our earnings confirm that our strategy is on track,” Mr O’Brien said.

    “Current momentum is encouraging, and we will continue to build capability so we can capitalise on opportunities as they arise and deliver for our clients, shareholders and the broader community.

    “The outlook for FY21 is positive.”

    Ms Schwartz said that Equity Trustees’ position as Australia’s leading fiduciary specialist was as important as ever in current times.

    “The financial services environment is increasingly demanding an independent fiduciary model, and COVID-19’s impact on financial markets is highlighting the benefits of a trusted, stable fiduciary,” she said.

    “The community has higher expectations for corporate behaviour to earn trust.

    “Our core purpose is about safeguarding people’s wealth and supporting the community, and all of our stakeholders will prosper as we continue to focus on this.”

    Download the ASX Announcement

    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Scott Hinton

    Vaughan Partners          

    +61 419 114 057

    shinton@vaughanpartners.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                             Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                        +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.
  • Bendigo Community Health Services appoints Equity Trustees as investment manager

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as investment manager and consultant for Bendigo Community Health Services (BCHS).

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as investment manager and consultant for Bendigo Community Health Services (BCHS).

    BCHS is a not-for-profit organisation working to provide communities throughout the Bendigo region with healthcare services for free or at minimal cost.< /p>
    In addition to a network of GPs across four sites, BCHS also works in partnership with other health services across Central Victoria to cater to specialist needs, such as those living with chronic conditions including diabetes, respiratory issues and heart disease.

    BCHS Board Chair Vicki Pearce said: “As a not-for-profit organisation who relies on funding and philanthropic opportunities to continue delivering the quality care our community deserves and has come to expect, it's essential that we utilise every dollar that comes our way.”

    She added that investment and philanthropic opportunities were going to become crucial to BCHS as competition for funding becomes more competitive.

    "We were encouraged by the positive and proactive response from Equity Trustees to our tender process and having an organisation on board that has a Bendigo base and a desire to help regional Victoria grow was very important to us.

    "We now look forward to building a relationship with Equity Trustees and using their expertise to ensure all future investment and philanthropic opportunities are used to their full potential to ensure our services and care for the community can go to an even greater level."

    Commenting on the partnership, Darren Thompson, Head of Asset Management, Equity Trustees said the group would provide BCHS with a range of services, including investment advice and strategy, investment management and philanthropic services.

    “Equity Trustees is delighted to have been appointed to work with BCHS,” he said. “Our ability to offer ESG-focussed investment solutions, and our experience working with not-for-profit organisations made our proposition a sound fit with BCHS’s specialist needs.

    “We recognise that BCHS must balance its funding sources prudently to ensure services can be maintained but can also grow to meet community needs. We aim to facilitate this through our investment strategy.”

    Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees said in addition to investment expertise, BCHS would also have access to a range of philanthropic expertise and services.

    “Bendigo is a strong community and has a number of well-known local philanthropists from the past and as well as the present. We hope to work with BCHS to develop its approach to attracting philanthropic investment to support the important work it is doing to ensure a healthy, thriving region,” she said.

    Download the Full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.    

  • Charitable grants rose in NSW, dropped in Victoria and Queensland in 2020

    Charitable funds directed through Equity Trustees to New South Wales jumped from 12 months ago, while dropping in Victoria and Queensland, according to the latest annual Giving Review from Equity Trustees (ASX: EQT).

    Giving Review state breakdown

    Charitable funds directed through Equity Trustees to New South Wales jumped from 12 months ago, while dropping in Victoria and Queensland, according to the latest annual Giving Review from Equity Trustees (ASX: EQT).

    As the nation’s leading specialist trustee provider of philanthropic funding, Equity Trustees provides structures for charitable giving across Australia.

    It noted that total giving was solidly up on the prior year, with charitable grants to New South Wales increasing in response to the need for emergency bushfire assistance funding.

    Grants by state

    2020

    2019

    2018

    Vic

    64%

    70%

    67%

    NSW/ ACT

     9%

     6%

     9%

    QLD

     8%

    13%

     8%

    WA

     2%

     2%

     1%

    SA/ NT

     2%

     2%

     1%

    Tas

     1%

     1%

     1%

    National & international

    14%

     6%

    13%

                          Source:  Equity Trustees’ Giving Review 2020

    Equity Trustees’ Giving Review 2020 notes:

    • $91 million in grants and bequests were made via Equity Trustees in the past financial year.
    • $83.4 million in grants came from charitable trusts, up from $78.8 million in FY2019.
    • The largest single discretionary grant - $1.3 million was made to  a research program into rural aged care.

    Disaster response a priority

    National and international funding was 14% of total funding in 2020, compared to 6% in 2019.

    Jodi Kennedy, General Manager Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, noted that while international funding remained stable, national giving had increased largely due to the consolidation of state based not-for-profits  to national entities, where much of the giving was directed  during the early 2020 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “These disasters crossed various state borders and many of the main responders to both these disasters were larger, national entities with a ‘human services’ focus,” she said.

    Overall Ms Kennedy said the 2020 bushfires and pandemic had led to an extremely challenging year for the for-purpose sector.

    “As well as deep concern from our philanthropic clients, we received hundreds of calls from organisations that were overwhelmed by the short-term needs of communities, as well as experiencing a drop in funding and volunteers. What we then saw was a huge spike in burnout and fatigue within the sector,” she said.

    In 2020, Equity Trustees allocated a total of $3 million in one-off payments of $5,000 to $50,000 to 70 organisations to meet this need, also simplifying the grant application process to allow funding to be delivered quickly.

    “We were highly focused on delivering rapid response grants to communities affected by the bushfires and COVID-19, as well as ensuring organisations had the necessary funding to keep the lights on in extraordinary times,” Ms Kennedy said.

    A broader focus

    While traditionally focused on Victoria where Equity Trustees was established in 1888, it has been actively working with new and well-established philanthropists to increase its spread of granting at a state, national and international level in recent years.

    Some of the state initiatives the group and its donors funded in 2020 included:

    New South Wales

    • $50,000 to BackTrack Youth Works, which works with disadvantaged young people aged 12 to 19 to provide education, training and employment opportunities.
    • $30,000 to The GO Foundation, which creates opportunities for indigenous youth through education.
    • $38,000 to Sydney Theatre Company for emergency funding.

    Queensland

    • $12m over five years for The Salvation Army Queensland’s ‘Transformation Through Innovation’ project, which is focused on housing, accommodation and alternative education in the state.

    Victoria

    • $600,000 over two years to Evidence for Learning, which helps to break the cycle of disadvantage by using evidence-based research to promote great teaching practice.

    Western Australia

    • $88,000 for the Noongar Charitable Trust – ‘Cultural Healing on Country’ project, delivering four overnight healing camps to members of the Noongar Aboriginal community focusing on strengthening cultural identity and cultural healing.

    South Australia

    • $200,000 for The Centre for Social Innovation, which is focused on developing new and better ways to build social and economic prosperity for all.
    • $114,000 for the continued development and maintenance of Thalassa Park and Gardens in Adelaide.

    Tasmania

    • Funding of $90,000 for the Tasmanian Council of Social Service Inc’s Health Justice Partnership in Tasmania project, which is working to address intersecting health, social and legal problems for families in the region.

    Northern Territory

    • $20,000 to Purple House, an indigenous run and owned health service that travels throughout NT to deliver dialysis and social support for those in remote communities.

    Continuing support for not-for-profits

    Ms Kennedy said a key focus for Equity Trustees in 2021 would be on continuing to support the philanthropic sector through the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

    “Typically, there is a time lag in philanthropy and with less money to go around, as well as the end of government stimulus payments, we will no doubt see many organisations not able to continue delivering their services this year,” she said.

    “Equity Trustees will play a leadership role in advocating for the importance of the for-purpose sector and will continue to fund the sector to build capacity to ensure its long-term sustainability.”

    Equity Trustees’ latest Giving Review can be viewed at www.eqt.com.au/givingreview  It also contains state by state examples of the social impact being achieved in the sector.

    Download the Full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.    

  • Equity Trustees expands Fund Services team

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has continued the expansion of its Corporate Trustee and Fund Services business with the appointment of Denis Kochou.

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has continued the expansion of its Corporate Trustee and Fund Services business with the appointment of Denis Kochou.

    Mr Kochou will be based in the Sydney office as Manager, Relationships and Oversight for the Fund Services business, the market leader in the provision of independent responsible entity services in Australia, with a team of over 30 fund governance specialists.

    With more than 10 years’ experience in financial services, Mr Kochou has worked for some of Australia’s leading share registries and global administrators, including State Street and Citco Fund Services.

    He joins Equity Trustees having come from Perpetual in corporate trustee services, where he was responsible for managing a group of responsible entity clients, as well as the oversight responsibilities of outsourced providers. 

    Commenting on the appointment, Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services said: “We are delighted to welcome Denis to the fund services team. His strong operational and client servicing experience will be an asset as we continue to see high demand for this specialised area of service.”


    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Responsible Entity and Corporate Trustee Services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • Felton Bequest
    gift to the NGV Triennial

    An immersive light sculpture which promises to test the perceptions with rapid vectors, loops, straight lines, curves and complex geometric forms lit up in white neon is one of the showcase works set to draw culture vultures out of COVID-induced hibernation and back to Melbourne’s arts precinct when the NGV Triennial opens

    Felton Bequest’s 2020 gift to the NGV Triennial 


    An immersive light sculpture which promises to test the perceptions with rapid vectors, loops, straight lines, curves and complex geometric forms lit up in white neon is one of the showcase works set to draw culture vultures out of COVID-induced hibernation and back to Melbourne’s arts precinct when the NGV Triennial opens on 19 December.

    Acquired by the Felton Bequest and gifted to the NGV, the bright lights of the installation by Welsh artist, Cerith Wyn Evans, C=O=D=A 2019-20, will be among 86 projects by more than 100 artists, designers and collectives from more than 30 countries at this free blockbuster exhibition which runs until 18 April 2021.

    The Felton Bequest is one of Victoria’s oldest and largest philanthropic trusts, established in 1904 with £380,000 – an amount which at the time provided the NGV with access to funds more than London’s National and Tate Galleries combined.

    “The NGV Triennial brings together the latest thinking in international contemporary art, design and architecture,” said Sir Andrew Grimwade CBE, Chairman of the Felton Bequests’ Committee. “As a keen art collector and enthusiast, I am sure Alfred Felton would have delighted in this unusual and mesmerising installation – and the enthusiasm surrounding the NGV Triennial.”

    Alfred Felton spent a lifetime associated with another Melbourne icon – the Espy in St Kilda which now has a floor named after him (the Ghost of Alfred Felton) and featuring pictures and paraphernalia from the time he lived there from the 1890’s until his death. 

    The Felton Bequest is now valued at more than $50m and divides its income equally between the NGV and charitable causes that support women and children. It is one of more than 650 charitable trusts managed by Equity Trustees, which distributed more than $90 million in grants and bequests last year.

    “It is an honour for us to be the stewards of Alfred Felton’s legacy,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees.  

    “In the description of this work by Cerith Wyn Evans, it says ‘It is possible to follow the intersections of the work with the eye, but the way is so intricate that it becomes impossible to take it in at a glance.’ This could just as easily apply to the impact the Felton Bequest has had since it was established. 

     “This year more than most, we have had to think carefully about how philanthropy can meet the challenges we face in our community. We know that to fulfil its potential in contributing to lasting,
    positive change, philanthropy must be focussed, informed and committed. Alfred Felton created a trust that was forward thinking and focussed – his legacy has stood the test of time,” she concluded.

    C=O=D=A 2019-20 by Cerith Wyn Evans will be installed in the NGV space devoted to 18th century art on level 2 of NGV International. 

    The 2020 Philanthropy Annual Giving Review, which reports of granting and funding, and its impact, for the FY20 year, was released on 15 December and is available online. 

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees
    Launch 2020
    Annual Giving Review

    Leading provider of philanthropic funding, Equity Trustees, today released a report containing analysis of $91 million of philanthropic granting and bequests overseen by the Company in the 2020 financial year.

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company releases third annual Giving Review


    • $91 million total grants and bequests in financial year 2020 • $83.4 million total grants from charitable trusts, up from $78.8 million in 2019
    • Over 3000 grants made
    • 204 grants over $100,000 to not for profits and charities
    • Largest single discretionary grant - $1.3 million in medical research

    Leading provider of philanthropic funding, Equity Trustees, today released a report containing analysis of $91 million of philanthropic granting and bequests overseen by the Company in the 2020 financial year.

    Carol Schwartz AO, Equity Trustees’ recently appointed Chair, said while the catastrophic bushfires and pandemic had made 2020 a tough year for the for-purpose sector, Equity Trustees had made significant progress on its three-year goals around measuring its social impact.
     
    “The for-purpose sector needed immediate support to keep the lights on and to keep vital services going, while also needing to work towards the resilience of the sector in the long term.

    “This year, that meant being faster, more flexible and more innovative than ever before in our funding – adapting ourselves to what our partners told us they needed to support the community through these tough times,” she said.

    Ms Schwartz welcomed the opportunity to Chair Equity Trustees, which is one of the largest sources of philanthropic funding in Australia.
    “It is difficult to recall a time when philanthropy has been so critically necessary to help us meet the challenges before us,” she said.

    Ms Schwartz noted that the practice of philanthropists establishing their giving throughout their lifetime, rather than leaving their giving in bequests, was gaining momentum in Australia in 2020.

    “We’re observing that Australians are becoming much more active in this area. We are seeing an increasing trend of parents engaging their children and grandchildren to discuss their family values and agree on how their philanthropy will make a difference as a family over multiple generations,” she said.

    Some examples of the initiatives supported by Equity Trustees philanthropic granting and its partners in the for-purpose sector in FY 2020 include:


    • Rapid response grants to communities affected by the bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic
    • Collaborations to strengthen the conservation and climate change movement
    • Working to empower Indigenous organisations
    • Funding collaboration around key reform in the out of home care sector
    • Catalysing a campaign aimed at fighting ageism in Australia
    • Backing leading Medical researchers; and much more.

    The Annual Giving Review sets out Equity Trustees’ blueprint for responsible stewardship in the philanthropic sector and measures impact in four key focus areas:

    1. Children and young people
    2. Ageing and aged care
    3. Medical research and health
    4. Animals and environment

    Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees said a key focus for the business in 2020 had been establishing a responsive, flexible approach to supporting the community in the unusually tough times which were the hallmarks of 2020.

    “This has been clearly demonstrated by the establishment of two Disaster Response Trusts after the summer bushfires, which are designed to support those impacted by the disaster, by providing our clients  our employees and the business community impassioned by the crises, a means by which to help,” he said.

    “We have contributed a huge pro-bono effort to establish the trusts and efforts to scale our ability to make rapid response grants to those in need, into the future.”

    Equity Trustees is continually moving towards a more quantitative approach to measuring its impact, not just via philanthropy but across the board as an ASX-listed company.

    “By caring for our community, our people and our shareholders, we stand to do incredible things in the future,” Mr O’Brien concluded. 

    The report can be viewed at www.eqt.com.au/givingreview

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Challenger appoints
    Equity Trustees for $385m capital note issue

    Challenger Limited (ASX:CGF) has appointed Equity Trustees as note trustee for its Challenger Capital Notes 3, a new subordinated, unsecured, perpetual convertible security, which raised A$385 million.

    Challenger Limited (ASX:CGF) has appointed Equity Trustees as note trustee for its Challenger Capital Notes 3, a new subordinated, unsecured, perpetual convertible security, which raised A$385 million.

    On 25 November 2020, Challenger issued Challenger Capital Notes 3, which are listed and tradeable on the ASX. The proceeds from the offer were used to fund the regulatory capital requirements of Challenger Life Company Limited and help refinance an earlier release of capital notes (Challenger Capital Notes) through a reinvestment offer and repurchase invitation.
     
    Commenting on the appointment, James Connell, General Manager Corporate Trust and Securitisation, Equity Trustees said: “We are delighted to be working with Challenger on the issue of these notes which is one of the most significant retail notes deals for which Equity Trustees has been appointed”

    Equity Trustees’ Corporate Trust and Securitisation business specialises in providing agency and trustee services to the debt capital and loan markets, securitisation industry as well as real estate trustee services.

    “We have built significant expertise in this specialised area of service. This has enabled us to consistently grow our client base and funds under supervision and we have a strong pipeline of deals tabled for 2021,” Mr Connell concluded.

    Download the full ASX Announcement


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin

    About Challenger: Challenger Limited (Challenger) is an investment management firm focusing on providing customers with financial security for retirement. Challenger operates two core investment businesses, a fiduciary Funds Management division and an APRA-regulated Life division. Challenger Life Company Limited is Australia's largest provider of annuities.

  • New appointment expands Corporate Trust and Securitisation team

    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced its latest appointment to the growing Corporate Trust and Securitisation team.

    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced its latest appointment to the growing Corporate Trust and Securitisation team: Pei Cai Pan will be based in Sydney as a Manager in the middle office team.

    The Equity Trustees Corporate Trust and Securitisation business specialises in providing agency and trustee services to the debt capital and loan markets, securitisation industry as well as real estate trustee services.

    Pei has more than 10 years of experience in securitisation and structured finance, most recently as a Vice President and Client Services Manager with the Bank of New York Mellon where his portfolio included global institutional clients with products ranging from conventional debt issuance and asset/mortgaged backed securitisation through to complex cross-border securitisations.  

    “Equity Trustees is attracting high quality clients in this specialised area of service,” said James Connell, General Manager of Corporate Trust and Securitisation, Corporate Trustee Services.

    “Pei brings with him an abundance of experience which will be focussed on our developing Debt Capital and Loan Market business where he will be responsible for on-boarding new business, daily transaction administration and compliance monitoring for our clients.”

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers..

    Responsible Entity and Corporate Trustee Services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • HomeCo Daily Needs REIT appoints Equity Trustees
    as custodian

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as custodian of HomeCo’s latest REIT - one of the largest IPOs of 2020.
    Equity Trustees has been appointed as custodian of HomeCo’s latest REIT - one of the largest IPOs of 2020.

    The HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX:HDN), which consists of convenience-based assets in areas with access to densely populated trade areas, is seeking to raise up to $300 million in funding. 

    The REIT currently holds assets valued at approximately $850 million. Seed assets purchased this year include retail centres previously owned by Woolworths, Gregory Hills Town Centre in Sydney’s south west and Glenmore Park Town Centre near Penrith in NSW, which at the purchase price of $150 million was one of the most significant property deals in Australia this year.

    Commenting on the appointment, Sten Silavecky, Senior Manager, Structured Finance and Property, Equity Trustees said: “Equity Trustees is delighted to have been appointed as custodian for the HomeCo Daily Needs REIT, which cements our position as a major player in the property market and builds on our experience in the sector.”

    Equity Trustees currently acts as a responsible entity, trustee, bespoke custodian and escrow agent for a broad range of property trusts across Australia and New Zealand. 
    The group currently acts on behalf of property funds with a total of over $1.5 billion in assets in NSW, Victoria, ACT, SA, Queensland and New Zealand. 

    “In recent years we have seen increased demand for a range of property trust structures and in response Equity Trustees has built both its scale and expertise to assist some of the largest and most complex property trusts in the market,” Mr Silavecky concluded. 
     

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • OzChild endowment fund appoints Equity Trustees as investment manager

    One of Australia’s oldest not-for-profit child welfare organisations, which supports children and families throughout the country, has awarded a mandate to manage half of its investment portfolio to Equity Trustees.
    One of Australia’s oldest not-for-profit child welfare organisations, which supports children and families throughout the country, has awarded a mandate to manage half of its investment portfolio to Equity Trustees.

    OzChild is committed to improving the lives of at-risk children, young people (including those in foster care) and families and has been operating for nearly 170 years.

    Commenting on the partnership, Equity Trustees Head of Asset Management Darren Thompson said: “Equity Trustees is delighted to have been appointed to support OzChild in its goal of seeing that all children and young people are safe, respected, nurtured and reach their full potential.

    “The mandate appointment demonstrates that our work in the philanthropy sector, combined with our asset management services, is a compelling offer to for-purpose partners looking for a values-aligned partner with strong governance, investment management track record and value-added offerings.”

    OzChild Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa J Griffiths said Equity Trustees was selected due to its expertise and depth of experience in working with the not-for-profit sector.

    “As a for-purpose organisation, a key factor in our selection process was the value-added services Equity Trustees offers in combination with its investment services,” Dr Griffiths said.

    Equity Trustees aims to deliver performance for clients through a combination of in-house Australian equities and fixed income capabilities, combined with the best external domestic and international funds.
     
    It currently provides investment management services on behalf of over 650 philanthropic trusts and for-purpose clients, with total charitable funds under management of $2.5 billion. In addition, it offers trustee services for many well-known charitable foundations, including secretariat, granting strategy development, governance and investment management.

    OzChild provides quality services that make a real and lasting difference to Australian children and families.  Its work includes foster and kinship care support and the delivery of evidence-based programs to strengthen and repair relationships and build a brighter future for young Australians. 

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Budget social housing announcement welcomed as demand for investment structures grows

    Australia’s leading trustee company welcomed the NSW Government’s Budget announcement that it will spend more than $812 million on building and upgrading social housing to help create jobs while meeting demand for affordable housing.
    Australia’s leading trustee company welcomed the NSW Government’s Budget announcement that it will spend more than $812 million on building and upgrading social housing to help create jobs while meeting demand for affordable housing.
     
    The announcement followed one by the Victorian government, which aims to spend $5.3 billion on social housing.

    Equity Trustee’s Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Russell Beasley, said today: “Investor interest is growing in social housing due to its ability to provide regular and consistent income with capital stability.

    “We are seeing more and more investment vehicles seeking to tap what is expected to become a $5 billion asset class. There are estimates of disability accommodation projects alone that will house some 28,000 people; all backed by National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) payments worth some $700 million a year,” he said. 

    “The pipeline of new homes being developed under this scheme has already jumped 50% over the past 12 months.”

    Mr Beasley said: “Investor revenue from government-subsidised dwellings targets a yield of 8 - 10% a year on an unleveraged basis, without taking into account the use of debt to enhance returns for investors.”

    Equity Trustees is the trustee for the Synergis Fund, which plans to invest in 1000 specialist disability accommodation properties around Australia over the next five years – having just completed its first disability housing projects in Sydney, NSW and Ipswich Qld.

    Equity Trustees is also a leading specialist provider of fund management and funding for the charitable and for-purpose sector, with specialist NFP investment services and a philanthropic granting team distributing more than $80 million of funds annually to the social sector.

    The Synergis unlisted wholesale investment trust seeks to provide positive social impact and generate attractive long-term, risk-adjusted financial returns for investors from rental payments made through the Commonwealth Government’s NDIS.
      
    The fund was founded by Social Ventures Australia and Federation Asset Management and includes investors such as Suncorp, HESTA and the Paul Ramsay Foundation among others. 

    Equity Trustees’ Mr Beasley added: “The Synergis Fund is having a big practical impact on many people’s lives, with homes incorporating easy-to-use smart technology and wellness features, with fully accessible designs servicing the unique needs of each resident.”

    The fund is managed by Social Infrastructure Investment Partners and the first projects, Oak Tree at Mt Colah NSW and Tyson’s House in Ipswich Qld, were developed by Good Housing and SDA Australia Group respectively. There are currently another 35 Synergis Fund projects under development and construction, which can home up to 116 tenants across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
      
    The 132-year old Equity Trustees is Australia’s leading specialist trustee company.

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Viertel Foundation Awards $4.09m to medical research

    Three medical researchers have been awarded one of Australia’s largest philanthropic medical research grants

    Three medical researchers have been awarded one of Australia’s largest philanthropic medical research grants – a Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship to fund their work in combatting the effects of brain damage and developing interventions to support our genes to fight diseases such as cancer and chronic pain over the next five years.

    The 2020 Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellows, who will each receive $1.25 million over five years to support their work, are:

    1. Dr Jana Vukovic – The University of Queensland
    2. Associate Professor Chen Davidovich – Monash University

    With additional funds secured from two other philanthropic trusts managed by Equity Trustees, The Cross Family and The Frank Alexander Charitable Trusts, an additional fellowship was awarded this year to Dr Michelle Halls (Monash University). The third fellowship became available when a 2019 research project did not proceed when the research leader moved to a new position.

    A further four medical researchers have been awarded one-year grants to continue their work.

    Since establishment, the Viertel Foundation has awarded a total of 55 Senior Medical Research Fellowships and 139 Clinical Investigator awards, ensuring important medical and health conditions, and the treatments for them, can be researched.

    “If there has ever been a time when the importance of medical research has been fully appreciated, that time is now during this year as we all silently cheer on the medical research teams around the world who are working right now therapies and treatments for COVID-19,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

    “As one of the largest philanthropic funders of medical research in Australia, we are always working with the sector to ensure our funding decisions can make the biggest impact in the health challenges we have now – and ahead of us. That is the power of the legacy left by Sylvia and Charles Viertel just over 25 years ago.”

    In addition, four $85,000 one-year clinical investigator awards were provided to:

    1. Associate Professor Chrishan Nalliah, Macquarie University
    2. Dr Johnathan Kaufman, Western Health
    3. Dr Jessica Day, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
    4. Dr Benedict Costello, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

    Professor Peter Leedman, Chairman of the Viertel Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board, said the candidates for 2020 exhibited what had become the hallmark of all Viertel Foundation applicants: exceptional quality and dedication.

    “It is always difficult to make a decision about which projects we can fund each year. I congratulate this year’s successful fellows and clinical investigators – but want all applicants to know that their work, and their talent, was inspiring for everyone on the Advisory Board. Australia is fortunate to have this level of talent in our medical research community,” Professor Leedman said.

    The Viertel Foundation is managed in partnership with co-trustees Justice Debra Mullins AO (Chair), Rex Freudenberg and Paul de Silva, and is one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations, distributing around $7.5 million annually.

    More about the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Foundation is available here.

    Fellowship Research Project summaries

    Dr Jana Vukovic

    School of Biomedical Sciences and Queensland Brain Institute

    The University of Queensland

    Acquired brain injury by trauma, stroke, or infection are leading causes of ongoing disability worldwide. The consequences of injury can include learning and memory difficulties, epilepsy, depression and dementia. Whatever the initial cause of the damage, there can be ongoing (secondary) effects can result in further brain dysfunction. Dr Vukovic’s work has found a way to prevent or limit these secondary events by targeting the brain’s immune cells – microglia. Over the next five years of the Viertel Fellowship, she and her team will further investigate how the microglia can be engaged to promote repair and improve brain function after injury. Ultimately, this work could lead to new therapeutic strategies to combat cognitive dysfunction.

    Associate Professor Chen Davidovich

    Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute

    Cancer Program, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

    Monash University

    During normal development, thousands of genes are switched off. These genes are then maintained repressed for up to our entire lifetime. Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) maintain the repressed state of thousands of cell type-specific genes and are essential for normal development. In disease, including in cancers and autoimmune diseases, repressed genes become abnormally active. When PRCs become inactive or too active during disease, abnormal gene expression often leads to a poor outcome for the patient. This project aims to open a path for new therapeutic opportunities to target PRCs and allow them to perform their task effectively again.

    Dr Michelle Halls

    Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

    Monash University

    The human genome encodes more than 800 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). They are involved in nearly all biological processes and are the targets of 50-60% of all drugs. GPCRs are mostly found on the surface of cells where they detect a diverse range of stimuli (such as light, odours, hormones). GPCRs convert this information into a “cellular barcode” which directs the cell to perform functions that enable sight, smell, movement or energy production. In disease, GPCRs often change both their location in a cell and how they interact with other proteins. For example, in chronic pain and cancer some GPCRs are no longer at the cell surface but are found inside the cell where they sit next to different proteins. This project aims to enable the development of more effective drugs with fewer side effects by fixing the incorrect cellular barcodes that are generated following a disease-dependent change in GPCR location.

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees launches Loftus Peak quoted fund

    In a first for Equity Trustees, today the Loftus Peak ‘quoted fund’ was launched – a structure which is fast capturing the interest of fund managers keen to access a much broader retail investor market.

    Equity Trustees launches Loftus Peak quoted fund as new structure captures fund managers' attention

    In a first for Equity Trustees, today the Loftus Peak ‘quoted fund’ was launched – a structure which is fast capturing the interest of fund managers keen to access a much broader retail investor market.

    “Loftus Peak has been our client since 2016 when they launched the Loftus Peak Global Disruption Fund. Their success is underpinned by their willingness to explore new ways to attract investors. Structuring the Fund [ASX: LPGD] as a quoted fund provides distribution access to broker-directed clients – which in turn can mean access to the $730bn SMSF market,” said Harvey Kalman, Global Head of Business Development, Fund Services.

    “We’re excited to be a part of this leading edge development because the new dual registry structure opens up a much larger retail market for our fund managers and offers a solution to overcoming the perennial issue in the listed investment vehicle market of units trading at discounts to the NTA,” Mr Kalman said.

    Ensuring the fund was properly guided through the complexities of ASIC and ASX compliance processes efficiently was a critical precursor to its launch. 

    “As specialists in fund governance and compliance, we have been in a position to direct our expertise as a responsible entity (RE) to guide the fund through the checks and balances required by this innovative dual registry structure delivered by Mainstream Fund Services (Mainstream),” said Russell Beasley, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustees Services (Australia).

    “Our quoted fund solution ensures investors have the choice of investing through their broker or directly with the RE through our registry service, just like any other daily priced retail managed investment scheme. Once an investor owns units in the scheme, they are able to seamlessly convert from broker to issuer sponsored, and vice versa, as required.” said Nick Happell, CEO, Asia Pacific, Mainstream Fund Services. 

    A number of key considerations need to be explored by fund managers when planning the logistics of going to market with this new type of fund. This is where Equity Trustees’ Fund Services capability and two decades of experience as a RE enabled the process.

    “Decisions which can make a difference include what market making arrangements are in place, which securities exchange the fund will be listed on, which service providers are selected to support the hybrid registry and the requirement for ensuring there are transparent pricing mechanisms in place at the time the fund launches,” explained Mr Beasley. 

    The Loftus Peak Global Distribution Fund is now listed on the ASX using the dual registry capabilities of Mainstream and included specialist legal advice from Baker McKenzie.

    View Loftus Peak Global Disruption Fund iNAV

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees, the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited, was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.


    Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited was established in January 2017. Through our Independent Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) and Management Company services we offer a comprehensive range of UCITS and AIFMD fund services to International and domestic Investment Managers, Distributors and Financial Services professionals looking to establish and operate funds in both the UK & Europe. Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (Company number 635185) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited. This media release has been prepared to provide you with general information only.

  • Wicking Trust Symposium goes virtual

    This year’s Wicking Trust Symposium, which brings together leading researchers and practitioners in the fields of ageing and Alzheimer’s’ Disease, will zero in on one of the hot topics of 2020 – quality in aged care.

    Wicking Trust Symposium goes virtual to tackle the big question of quality in aged care


    This year’s Wicking Trust Symposium, which brings together leading researchers and practitioners in the fields of ageing and Alzheimer’s’ Disease, will zero in on one of the hot topics of 2020 – quality in aged care.

    “The quality of life experienced in our later years and how we care for older Australians that are in need of assistance are always important issues in our community.  However, this year interest has been significantly heightened because of the tragic deaths in aged care due to the pandemic, and the subsequent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hearing and the special report on this subject recently released by the Commission,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees.


    Held virtually tomorrow (14 October) the very timely panel session What’s quality got to do with it? will be led by moderator, Associate Professor Colm Cunningham, and Director of The Dementia Centre, HammondCare with panellists Professor June Andrews, Ian Henschke, Dr Stephen Judd and Professor Susan Kurrle (see full media release pdf below for speaker bios).


    It will be followed by a keynote by world-renowned dementia researcher Professor Colin Masters AO presenting a session on Alzheimer’s disease - early diagnosis and how we will delay onset and slow progression.

    The day will also include presentations from three impressive shortlisted projects spanning robotics, palliative care and homelessness – all vying for a 2020 Wicking Trust major grant in the order of $1.5 million over up to five years.

    The J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust (The Wicking Trust) was established under the terms of the Will of the late John Oswald Wicking, following his death in June 2002. The major grants program aims to achieve systemic change in the areas of ageing and Alzheimer’s disease
    “The Wicking Trust is now one of Australia’s most significant charitable trusts, distributing around $4 million annually, and has well-established partnerships with Vision Australia and the O’Brien Foundation (formerly the Microsurgery Foundation) – two charities John and Janet Wicking were particularly dedicated to,” said Ms Kennedy.
    “Equity Trustees is proud to be a part of supporting how we, as a community, find ways to deal with the complex issues we face as a community in caring for, and dealing with, the many challenges that can come with ageing, and the many opportunities presented by a growing cohort of healthy and engaged older Australians,” she said.
    More about the Wicking Trust is available here.

    Download the full Media Release
    ________________________________________

    Further Information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), part of the EQT group of companies.

         

    PANEL: WHAT’S QUALITY GOT TO DO WITH IT?

    Associate Professor Colm Cunningham (moderator) is a member of the Wicking Trust’s advisory panel, and the Director of The Dementia Centre, HammondCare and a member of the Wicking Trust Strategic Review Panel. He leads an Australian and International team of more than 200 staff involved in research, education, clinical care and consultancy. The Dementia Centre lead the Australian national dementia behaviour response services, Dementia Support Australia, with the aim of reconsidering the meaning and causes of ‘behaviours’.

    Professor June Andrews is an authoritative dementia expert with a focus on improving the public understanding of dementia. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest nursing union and professional body, and has been recognised as one of the most influential clinicians in the UK. As a professor emeritus she now advises the Dementia Services Development Trust, a charity that focuses on people affected by dementia and disrupting popular misconceptions about dementia. She was the head of the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland before returning to practice as a Director of Nursing in the NHS. She was a senior civil servant in the Scottish Government, leading the Centre for Change and Innovation to foster improvement in delivery of health care, including cancer, diabetes, depression, and operational issues such as waiting times.

    Her book, Dementia; what you need to know, and its UK version, Dementia the One Stop Guide, is a detailed guide to what makes a difference in the life of a person with dementia.

    Ian Henschke is Chief Advocate for National Seniors Australia and spokesperson for the Alliance for a Fairer Retirement System. He is a multi-award-winning former radio presenter and TV journalist, reporting for a range of programs including Today Tonight, 7.30 Report, Landline, and 4 Corners. He is also a former Staff Elected Director on the ABC Board. He is based in Adelaide and still a regular columnist for The Advertiser and the SA Weekend Magazine. For services to Australian society through broadcasting he was awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal. As Chief Advocate for National Seniors he is passionate about improving the lives of all older Australians.

    Dr Stephen Judd has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and information technology.  After about a career in the IT industry, he became Chief Executive of HammondCare in 1995.  Over the following 25 years, HammondCare evolved from serving fewer than 250 residents in care homes with an annual revenue of $8m to caring for more than 25,711 people in the community, in residential care homes as well as in sub-acute health and hospital services, with 2019-20 revenue of over just under $350m. Stephen stepped down as HammondCare’s Chief Executive at the end of August 2020.

    He has authored books on dementia care, aged care design and the role of charities. Stephen has also served on a number of Government and industry committees, including the Aged Care Sector Committee, the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency Advisory Council.

    Professor Susan Kurrle is a geriatrician practising at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital in northern Sydney and at Batemans Bay and Moruya Hospitals in southern NSW. She is the Clinical Network Director for Rehabilitation and Aged Care in Northern Sydney Local Health District and she holds the Curran Chair in Health Care of Older People in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Her current research and practice interests centre on frailty, dementia, and successful ageing.

    ABOUT THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER

    Professor Colin L Masters AO is Laureate Professor of Dementia Research, The Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, a consultant at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and a member of the Wicking Trust Strategic Review Panel.

    He has focused his career on research in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. His work over the last 35 years is widely acknowledged as having had a major influence on Alzheimer’s disease research world-wide, particularly the collaborative studies conducted with Konrad Beyreuther in which they discovered the proteolytic neuronal origin of the Aβ amyloid protein which causes Alzheimer’s disease. This work has led to the continued development of diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. More recently, his focus has been on describing the natural history of Alzheimer’s disease as a necessary preparatory step for therapeutic disease modification.

  • Equity Trustees sharpens focus to grow corporate trustee business in Australia and overseas

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has sharpened its focus on growing the corporate trustee / responsible entity business, realigning two of its key leaders with the target markets of Australia and Europe.
    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has sharpened its focus on growing the corporate trustee / responsible entity business, realigning two of its key leaders with the target markets of Australia and Europe.

    Industry veteran Russell Beasley, who joined Equity Trustees in 2005 and took over leadership of the Australian Fund Services business in May 2019, has been promoted to Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services – Australia.

    Harvey Kalman, who established the Corporate Trustee Services business in Australia 20 years ago, and led the expansion of the business overseas, has been appointed Managing Director (UK and Europe) and Global Head of Business Development, Fund Services.

    “Russell has more than four decades of experience in the Australian market, strong client relationships and significant expertise across the complex range of operational responsibilities required for an outstanding responsible entity business,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “With Harvey’s commitment to attracting leading fund managers to Equity Trustees, we aim to make the most of the significant opportunity to grow our European business.

    “We are confident this alignment of energy and expertise will ensure we make the most of the many opportunities available to us here and overseas,” Mr O’Brien concluded.

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin. 

  • Equity Trustees delivers strong funds growth in challenging environment

    Growth strategy underpins steady financial performance

    Growth strategy underpins steady financial performance


    • Funds under management, administration and supervision reach $101 billion, 19% higher
    • Revenue up 3.2% to $95.4 million
    • Net profit before tax $30.3 million compared with $31.3 million in FY19  
    • Underlying earnings per share down 5.5% to 102.66 cents
    • Basic earnings per share of 92.95 cents impacted by one-off tax provision
    • Substantial investment in capability underpinning success
    • Capitalising on industry trend to outsource fiduciary role 
    • Final dividend of 43 cents per share; total dividend for the year maintained at 90 cents per share
    • Planned Board succession changes to occur at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT) (Equity Trustees), today announced that significant growth in funds under management and supervision (FUMAS) in the year ended 30 June 2020 had largely offset the downturn in equity markets and helped to produce a solid overall result.

    FUMAS broke through $100 billion at year end, rising 19% to $101 billion, and then to $115 billion in August 2020, driven by several significant new client wins that confirmed Equity Trustees’ strategy of investing for growth.

    The increase drove revenue 3% higher to $95 million, with net profit before tax down for the year at $30.3 million, while expenses increased 6%, reflecting the Group’s continued investment in preparing for new business.

    Shareholders will receive a final dividend of 43 cents per share, resulting in the total dividend for the year being unchanged at 90 cents per share.

    Chairman Jeff Kennett AC said: “2020 has been a difficult year for so many parts of society, but I am pleased that Equity Trustees has continued to perform strongly for those for whom we act in matters of Trust: our clients, our shareholders, and for those individuals and organisations we are able to support through philanthropic grants, as a result of the generosity and foresight of benefactors for whom we continue to act.

    “As a trusted specialist fiduciary, EQT has again demonstrated great resilience in one of Australia’s most challenging times and without any government financial support.”

    Managing Director Mick O’Brien said he was particularly pleased with the strong growth in FUMAS and revenue.

    “Our strategy of investing for growth is bearing fruit, with significant new business obtained during the year, adding a range of new, high-quality clients.   All areas of the business performed well and would have delivered even stronger results were it not for the equity market downturn.”

    TWS revenue increased 3%, with a solid underlying performance in the traditional trusts, estates and philanthropy businesses and strong growth in superannuation.

    “The growth in our Superannuation Trustee Office is particularly rewarding as we have been investing heavily and the business is really starting to accelerate,” Mr O’Brien said.

    CTS revenue was up 5%, with a steady performance in Australia supported by the UK/Ireland continuing to build and attract new clients.
    Net profit after tax was down, reflecting the impact of volatile markets, continued investment in people and technology to support future growth, and a tax provision relating to the tax treatment of an acquisition made in the 2011 financial year.

    Mr O’Brien said: “Equity Trustees is in a great position. We have established businesses that are well suited for these challenging times, and we have a number of newer growth businesses, a pipeline of opportunities and a strong balance sheet.

    “While market volatility will continue to influence the Group’s financial performance, the outlook is positive.

    “Demand for our specialist trustee services continues to rise, and our fiduciary skills and high standards of governance are standing us in good stead.”

    Chairman Jeff Kennett further added “As part of good governance and planned Board succession, I and my colleague Alice Williams will step down at the conclusion of the Company’s AGM in October.

    “I thank Alice for extraordinary service to EQT and the rigour she has bought to our deliberations.

    “I am happy to announce that the Board has resolved that Ms Carol Schwartz AO will succeed me as Chair of Equity Trustees, again from the AGM.”

    Ms Schwartz is a non-executive Director of the Reserve Bank of Australia, a Member of the Advisory Board of Qualitas Property Partners, former Chair of Industry Superannuation Property Trust, past director of Stockland Group Limited and experienced philanthropist.  Her full biography is available in the Directors’ Report released today.

    Mr O’Brien said: “Finally, I would like to thank our people. In this incredibly tough year, we have held our own, thanks to their dedication and resilience. The transition to working from home was seamless and enabled the Group to continue fulfilling its trustee obligations and delivering excellent client service.”

    The Equity Trustees Board has authorised that this document be given to the ASX.

    Download the full ASX Announcement

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                             Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                       +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London..

  • Details for EQT Holdings full year results release and webinar

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT) will conduct a webinar presentation by Mick O’Brien, Managing Director and Philip Gentry, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer for investors following the release of EQT’s Full Year Results on Wednesday 19 August 2020

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT) will conduct a webinar presentation by Mick O’Brien, Managing Director and Philip Gentry, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer for investors following the release of EQT’s Full Year Results on Wednesday 19 August 2020

    Webinar:                       9.30am – 10.30am, Wednesday 19 August 2020

                                          Registration required at the link: https://eqt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AIKkpmE8Tw-bx03DwmIbTA

    You have the opportunity to include a question in advance when you register, when you receive the details by email closer to the day, or via the webinar platform during the presentation.

    Access to a recording of the webinar will be emailed to all registrants after the event, and available the next business day at https://eqt.com.au/investor-centre

    Download the full ASX Announcement


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                                 Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                       Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                            +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                                  pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 to provide independent and impartial trustee and executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees offers a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and responsible entity services for external fund managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies. EQT Holdings Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) and has offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • New Aboriginal Housing Foundation appoints Equity Trustees as co trustee in new partnership

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as co-trustee of the Aboriginal Housing Foundation in Western Australia, with the Aboriginal Housing Recovery Centre Limited, an entity created by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC).

    Equity Trustees has been appointed as co-trustee of the Aboriginal Housing Foundation in Western Australia, with the Aboriginal Housing Recovery Centre Limited, an entity created by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC). 

    The Aboriginal Housing Foundation is a special purpose charitable trust created to benefit Noongar people of the South West of WA and the broader Aboriginal communities, and will oversee 
    a new joint venture to develop social housing, specialised care and a training centre for Noongar people in WA. 

    “We are committed to the primary objective of the Foundation, which is to alleviate homelessness and improve general social outcomes for Noongar people and other Aboriginal people in Western Australia,” said Ian Westley, Executive General Manager, Trustee and Wealth Services, Equity Trustees.

    “Equity Trustees has had a long-standing partnership with SWALSC and the Noongar people, and we are proud to have the opportunity to play a constructive role in this innovative new joint venture. 

    “We look forward to continuing to enable and empower the Noongar and all Aboriginal people build a sustainable future for their communities,” Mr Westley concluded.

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees appointed super trustee for HUB24

    EQT Holdings Ltd (ASX: EQT) (Equity Trustees) today announced its appointment as the trustee for the HUB24 Super Fund, part of HUB24’s investment and superannuation platform.
    EQT Holdings Ltd (ASX: EQT) (Equity Trustees) today announced its appointment as the trustee for the HUB24 Super Fund, part of HUB24’s investment and superannuation platform.

    As part of one of the fastest growing platforms in the market the HUB24 Super fund has $7.9 billion in funds under administration (FUA).¹ 

    Equity Trustees’ Managing Director Mick O’Brien said: “HUB24’s market share has been growing over recent years due to their continued focus on innovation and customer service excellence. The appointment to act as trustee for the HUB24 Super Fund is another great addition to our rapidly growing superannuation trustee business.”

    Andrew Alcock, Managing Director HUB24 commented: “We are delighted to have Equity Trustees provide specialised trustee services and fund governance for the HUB24 Super fund members. We look forward to working with Equity Trustees to deliver our strategic objectives as our business evolves.” 

    The announcement follows Equity Trustees’ appointment to AMP Life’s superannuation funds on 1 July 2020, and several large-scale appointments last financial year, including by AIA to oversee the CMLA (trading as CommInsure) superannuation funds.

    “Despite the challenging environment we have continued to invest in the superannuation trustee business to ensure it is positioned to capture these opportunities,” Mr O’Brien said.

    “We have focused on building the technical and professional capability, with a number of new professionals joining the team in recent months, to ensure we are the preferred independent trustee for Australian institutions, and the investment is paying off.

    “The superannuation industry is increasingly recognising and valuing the role of an independent trustee in ensuring a robust, secure superannuation system and protecting member interests.”

    The appointed trustee will be HTFS Nominees Limited, one of Equity Trustee’s two superannuation entities - the other being Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited.  

    More about Equity Trustees’ Superannuation Trustee Office is available here.

    Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, has authorised that this document be given to the ASX.

    Download the full ASX Announcement
    ________________________________________

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                             Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                       +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ACN  055 641 757) AFSL 229757 and HTFS Nominees Pty Ltd (ACN 000 880 553) AFSL 232500  is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    About HUB24

    The Australian Securities Exchange-listed HUB24 Ltd ABN 87 124 891 685 (ASX: HUB) connects advisers and their clients through innovative solutions that create investment opportunities. The business is focussed on the delivery of the HUB24 platform and the growth of its wholly owned subsidiaries Paragem Pty Ltd, a financial advice licensee,  Agility Applications Pty Ltd and HUBconnect Pty Ltd which provide data, reporting and software services to the Australian stockbroking and wealth management market. HUB24’s award-winning investment and superannuation platform provides broad product choice and a market-leading experience for advisers and their clients. Its flexible technology allows advisers and licensees to customise their platform solution to fit their individual business so they can move faster and smarter. It serves a growing number of respected and high-profile financial services companies. 

    For further information, please visit www.HUB24.com.au

    1.FUA as at 30 June 2020




  • Equity Trustees appointed as superannuation trustee for AMP Life customers

    EQT Holdings Ltd (ASX: EQT) today announced the appointment of Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited as superannuation trustee for AMP Life Limited’s  (AMP Life) superannuation funds.
    EQT Holdings Ltd (ASX: EQT) today announced the appointment of Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited as superannuation trustee for AMP Life Limited’s  (AMP Life) superannuation funds replacing current trustees N M Superannuation Proprietary Limited and AMP Superannuation Limited.

    AMP Life has more than $7 billion invested in these superannuation funds held by more than 340,000 Australians and has been acquired by Resolution Life Group Holdings LP (Resolution Life), a global manager of in force life insurance businesses. 

    Following this appointment, Equity Trustees is now responsible for over $20 billion in superannuation assets for more than 700,000 members overall.

    Equity Trustees Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said: “The appointment to AMP Life confirms Equity Trustees as the leading provider of independent superannuation trustee services in Australia. It also marks another leading financial services firm choosing Equity Trustees to provide its specialist fund governance services.”

    Mr O’Brien said there was an increasing trend to outsource the trustee role amongst superannuation providers in Australia and overseas.

    “The appeal of outsourced specialist oversight of super members’ funds is a growing trend in the wake of the financial services royal commission. Recent market volatility, including unprecedented numbers of people accessing part of their superannuation early, alongside an inherently complex regulatory environment, have also highlighted how a specialist superannuation trustee can deliver value for funds and their members.”

    Equity Trustees has grown to be the market leader in superannuation trustee services and has secured several large-scale appointments this financial year, including the appointment by AIA to oversee the CommInsure superannuation funds.

    Mr O’Brien said the company had been investing significantly by recruiting specialised professionals to its Superannuation Trustee Office to capture the expected growth in industry outsourcing.

    “We aim to be the only choice for large-scale providers with sophisticated needs, who want the best governance structure they can find for their members. That includes global players who want an Australian specialist with deep understanding of the complex regulatory environment,” he said.

    Mr O’Brien said the role of trustee was critical to a robust, secure superannuation system. 

    “The role of trustee has not been well understood, but its value is becoming more appreciated; it must balance technical expertise in the complexities of governance and regulation, with great judgement. This is the essence of being a trustee.”

    Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, has authorised that this document be given to the ASX.

    Download the full ASX Announcement

    ________________________________________

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                             Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                       +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees superannuation team expands to meet demand

    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees has further expanded its Superannuation Trustee Office (STO) to meet client demands, announcing six new additions to the team.
    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees has further expanded its Superannuation Trustee Office (STO) to meet client demands, announcing six new additions to the team.

    Joining the STO, is former head of the TAL Trustee Office, Stephen Graham as Head of Transformation, and former head of superannuation business development at Colonial First State, Scott Waller as Senior Client Account Manager.

    Specialist appointments include Sarah Adinsall and Rupert Butterworth in the Insurance team, Duncan McPherson (Compliance) and Lisa Yeung (Oversight and Risk).

    “Equity Trustees is growing to become recognised as the leading provider of independent superannuation trustee services in Australia and we have increasing demands on our office as a result. With our focus on member interests, it makes sense that we will invest in the best quality expertise to support the high standard or service members are relying on us for,” said Mark Blair, STO Executive General Manager.

    The new recruits join in the wake of two recent major announcements – the appointment of George Zielinski to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) Board, and appointment as superannuation trustee for the AMP Life superannuation funds

    “Being a superannuation trustee is a privileged role but comes with an array of technical complexities of governance and regulation. With many Australians seeking early access to their superannuation savings due to economic conditions, now more than ever, specialist superannuation trustee experience is essential,” he said.

    More about Equity Trustees’ Superannuation Trustee Office is available here.

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • A family legacy of care joins the fight against COVID -19

    When Ray Houston established a charitable trust in his Will in memory of his parents, he left instructions that the Trust, now valued at more than $1.6m direct funding to health and medical causes. Little did he know it would become one of the essential funders of the fight against COVID-19.
    When Ray Houston established a charitable trust in his Will in memory of his parents, he left instructions that the Trust, now valued at more than $1.6m direct funding to health and medical causes. Little did he know it would become one of the essential funders of the fight against COVID-19.

    A grant of $100,000 from The William Henry and Vera Ellen Memorial Trust Fund, established in 2003, has been directed to Epworth HealthCare to expand a newly created special COVID-19 Biobank, to better understand why COVID-19 affects some people differently.

    The research project led by Epworth HealthCare infectious diseases expert Dr James McMahon, is building a Biobank of blood samples and throat swabs taken from COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals across Melbourne during the pandemic.

    Co-trustee, Kay Currie said: “This research project comes at an important time for Australia and should provide some greater insights for health care professionals.” 

    The William Henry and Vera Ellen Memorial Trust Fund is one of many charitable trusts Equity Trustees has been able to pivot to support the Australian medical and health research sector as part of the global effort to better understand this strain of coronavirus, development treatments and ultimately find a vaccine and a cure.

    “It’s important to take a moment wherever we can and acknowledge the contributions large and small that are helping us through this pandemic,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees. “All contributions are essential – the people at the front line in medical and mental health services, the essential services workers and what each of us do to help drive positive social outcomes in our communities.

    “Ray was a WWII veteran and a devoted son, whose father died in 1942 leaving behind Ray and his two siblings. Ray cared for his elderly mother Vera until she passed away in 1982. In honour of his parents, their strong family bond and their shared commitment to a number of social causes, including medical research, Raymond created this trust in his Will.

    “It means that each year Equity Trustees is able to grant money to support the community in the ways they would have wanted. Their generosity, as well as their memory, remains with us,” she said.

    The Trust has previously granted funds to causes including funding for Royal Children’s Hospital and support for people with Autism and Multiple Sclerosis however, current events shifted its funding to support the COVID-19 response.

    More about this project is available here on the Epworth website.

    More about Equity Trustees Philanthropy, including the 650+ charitable trusts and foundations we manage can be found here.
    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin. 

  • George Zielinski appointed to Equity Trustees
    super boards

    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced the appointment of George Zielinski as an independent director to the Group’s two superannuation Boards, being Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) and HTFS Nominees Pty Ltd’s (HTFS).
    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced the appointment of George Zielinski as an independent director to the Group’s two superannuation Boards, being Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) and HTFS Nominees Pty Ltd’s (HTFS).

    Following last week’s announcement of ETSL’s appointment as superannuation trustee for AMP Life superannuation funds, Equity Trustees is fast becoming recognised as the leading provider of superannuation trustee services in Australia. 
    Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said: “George is highly-regarded as a leader in the superannuation industry. Most recently he was appointed interim CIO of Rest to assist the $57bn fund through restructuring its investment governance framework, but his association goes back to 1997 when he established Super Investment Management (SIM) to act as a wholly owned arms-length investment manager of Rest which at the time had assets of $1.3bn.”

    Prior to the establishment of SIM, Mr Zielinski held roles with VFMC (Victorian Funds Management Corp) and SECV Super (now known as EquipSuper). Between 1985 and 1995 while in the electricity sector, he played an integral role in the creation of five electricity distribution businesses following the restructure of the SECV.

    “The role of a skilled superannuation trustee is critical to a robust, secure superannuation system and requires leaders who understand the dynamics of investment and member outcomes and the technical complexities of governance and regulation,” said Tony Lally, Chairman of both Boards.  

    “Recent market volatility and the impacts of COVID-19, including unprecedented numbers of people accessing part of their superannuation early, alongside an inherently complex regulatory environment means that now more than ever, specialist superannuation trustee experience is essential,” Mr Lally said.

    George Zielinski joins fellow independent directors Paul Rogan (ETSL Board only), Sue Everingham, Ellis Varejes and Tony Lally (Chairman), and executive directors Mark Blair (Executive General Manager, Superannuation Trustee Office) and Mick O'Brien (Managing Director, Equity Trustees) on both Boards.

    “We congratulate George on his appointment and look forward to his contribution as we continue to focus on securing members’ interests,” concluded Mr Lally.

    More about Equity Trustees as a superannuation trustee is available here.

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024
    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ACN  055 641 757) AFSL 229757 and HTFS Nominees Pty Ltd (ACN 000 880 553) AFSL 232500  is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.


  • Equity Trustees appointed RE for SG Hiscock and Morgan Stanley global equity funds

    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced its latest appointment as Responsible Entity (RE) for two global equity funds launching in Australia.
    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced its latest appointment as Responsible Entity (RE) for two global equity funds launching in Australia.

    “Equity Trustees has grown to become the market leading RE provider in Australia. SG Hiscock was one of our foundation clients when we were established 20 years ago – 2020 is a milestone year for us in this business,” said Harvey Kalman, Head of Global Fund Services and Executive General Manager Corporate Trust Services, Equity Trustees.

    “Enabling access to these funds provides the Australian public with access to a quality global manager via the distribution expertise of SG Hiscock, and we’re pleased to be appointed as RE as a result of this new partnership.”

    The Morgan Stanley Investment Management global equity funds will be exclusively distributed in Australia by Melbourne-based boutique fund manager SG Hiscock & Company.

    The two funds are:

    • Morgan Stanley Global Quality (hedged and unhedged): This fund invests in high quality companies that have the ability to consistently compound shareholder returns over time, and 

    • Morgan Stanley Global Sustain (hedged and unhedged): This fund uses a similar methodology to the quality strategy but it emphasises the low carbon footprint, and excludes tobacco, gaming, adult entertainment, weapons, bulk commodities, fossil fuels, and gas/electrical utilities from the portfolio.

    “We are delighted to be continuing our long-standing partnership with SG Hiscock & Company, and now with Morgan Stanley Investment Management,” said Mr Kalman.

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Responsible Entity and Corporate Trustee Services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London.

  • First meeting of Australian Volunteer Support Panel on 1 July

    The Advisory Panel for the Australian Volunteer Support Trust (AVST) established in the wake of the summer bushfires to support the families of volunteers who die in the course of their duties will meet for the first time this Wednesday 1 July.

    Australian Volunteer Support Trust meets to direct support to families of lost volunteer firefighters


    The Advisory Panel for the Australian Volunteer Support Trust (AVST) established in the wake of the summer bushfires to support the families of volunteers who die in the course of their duties will meet for the first time this Wednesday 1 July to ensure arrangements are in place to support the first beneficiaries of the trust – the families of the volunteer firefighters who tragically lost their lives last bushfire season.

    The Panel, chaired by The Hon Jeff Kennett AC (chairman of Equity Trustees), includes Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, David Gonski AC, Jennifer Westacott AO and Lisa Paul AO.

    “We are honoured to have this responsibility to support the families of volunteers who pay a terrible price of helping protect and preserve our communities during disasters,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “It is our aim, through the AVST, to provide support – particularly where there are dependent children with education needs or families that have lost a breadwinner through this selfless service.

    “We know that the recent bushfires will not be our last – and the coronavirus pandemic has shown we will face further disasters as a country. It is up to all of us to look at what we can offer and how we can play our part to build our community’s ability to respond and recover. A trustee company is built to last and already legislated to serve the best interests of its clients – which is why we are a logical part of any recovery effort,” he said.

    Equity Trustees, together with the Business Council of Australia (BCA), established the Australian Volunteer Support Trust and the Community Rebuilding Trust in response to the recent catastrophic bushfires but designed them to support any future disaster and emergency event recovery efforts. 

    The two trusts have raised nearly $10 million, with funds being directed in part to bushfire affected communities via the BizRebuild program managed by BCA and to support the families and children of emergency volunteers who died in service during the fires.

    “The benefit of an independent professional trustee leading the structuring of charitable trusts like these means they are designed with the benefit of 130+ years of experience in trust law dealing with charitable trusts. We have the ability to ensure the funds are invested and professionally managed to grow the corpus – and to ensure all granting of distributions are managed through proven processes, which is what people who donate should expect in return for their generosity,” said Mr O’Brien.

    However, he said the main aim of the AVST was to provide a Trust that people could have confidence in, and which would provide some relief to the families and children is was designed to benefit.

    “We manage more than 600 charitable trusts – many are nearly as old as we are. These two trusts have been structured so they can receive funds from the widest possible range of sources – including other charitable structures such as private ancillary funds. This maximises the ability of the AVST to channel maximum funds to families impacted by disasters.

    “The Australian community has rightly been concerned recently about charitable funds making their way to the intended beneficiaries as efficiently as possible. With Equity Trustees at the helm of the AVST, we will make sure of it now and in perpetuity,” he concluded.

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin. 

  • Bushfire donation money getting to communities fast through disaster trusts

    Australia’s leading trustee company has said there is a way for money raised through charitable fundraising to reach affected communities quickly and reliably.
    With the beginning of proceedings of the Royal Commission into the National Natural Disaster Arrangements (Bushfires Royal Commission), Australia’s leading trustee company has said there is a way for money raised through charitable fundraising to reach affected communities quickly and reliably.

    Two purpose-built perpetual charitable trusts created in record time in February after the summer bushfires are doing just that: supporting people and communities around the country to recover from disaster and emergency events.

    “Part of the community response necessarily encompasses how donations are collected and managed to reach those most in need,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director of Equity Trustees. 

    “With the outpouring of generosity from so many Australian individuals, families and businesses comes great responsibility to direct funds to where they are needed – and also utilise a mechanism which safeguards the funds while enabling flexibility as situations change as they do in disasters.”

    Equity Trustees, together with the Business Council of Australia (BCA), established the Australian Volunteer Support Trust and the Community Rebuilding Trust in response to the recent catastrophic bushfires but designed them to support any future disaster and emergency event recovery efforts. 

    The two trusts have raised nearly $10 million, with funds being directed in part to bushfire affected communities via the BizRebuild program managed by BCA and to support the families and children of emergency volunteers who died in service during the fires.

    “We have been able to begin moving funds into the recovery effort quickly because of the way these trusts are structured – and we stand ready to support the families of volunteers who tragically died while working to safeguard their communities,” Mr O’Brien said.

    “The benefit of an independent professional trustee leading the structuring of charitable trusts like these means they are designed with the benefit of 130+ years of experience in trust law dealing with charitable trusts. In the case of these two trusts, we have been able to engage expert advisory panels which are chaired by General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC and the Equity Trustees Chairman and former Victorian Premier the Hon Jeff Kennett AC.

    “These attributes, alongside our ability to ensure the funds are invested and professionally managed to grow the corpus – and that all granting of distributions are managed through proven processes, is what people who donate should expect in return for their goodwill.

    “We manage more than 600 charitable trusts – many are nearly as old as we are. Importantly Equity Trustees gained the Federal Government’s support to have the trusts listed in the Tax Act so they can attract funds from the widest possible range of sources – including other charitable structures such as public and private ancillary funds. This maximises our ability to channel maximum funds to communities and families impacted by disasters.

    Mr O’Brien said the value of a professional trustee also included the ability to exercise a level of discretion in adapting the purpose of the trusts to current conditions within the limits of the governing deed, and the ability to pay individuals and organisations that are not-for-profits or for purpose organisations.

    “The Australian community has rightly been concerned recently about charitable funds making their way to the intended beneficiaries and how courts may intervene.  The reality is that courts can only override a trust when the intended purpose of the trust cannot be carried out – this is known as cy-près - or when the trust is being mismanaged or not being used for the intended purpose,” he said. 

    “The benefit of a professional trustee is that this step – altering the intended purpose of a trust - cannot be taken lightly, but it can be done.

    He added: “We know that the recent bushfires will not be our last. It is up to all of us to look at what we can offer and how we can play our part to build our community’s ability to respond and recover. A trustee company is built to last and already legislated to serve the best interests of its clients – which is why we can be part of the solution.”

     More information is available at www.eqt.com.au/DisasterResponse

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin. 
  • Free online support
    for social purpose organisations

    Thanks to a new partnership between The Xfactor Collective and Equity Trustees.

    Social purpose organisations empowered to RESET 2020 with free online program launched today


    A free online support and advice program designed specifically for social purpose organisations has been launched today, thanks to a new partnership between The Xfactor Collective and Equity Trustees.

    The program – RESET 2020 - is supported through the Sector Capacity Building Fund, which brings together funding from  philanthropic trusts managed by Equity Trustees to target granting at capacity building projects and programs in the for-purpose sector.

    In 2019 Equity Trustees was the leading source of trustee philanthropic funding in Australia. Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees said the structure of charitable trusts – often created in perpetuity – meant they were one of the few sources of funds which could be relied on in uncertain times.

    “Charitable trusts, like all funds which rely on investment of money, are of course subject to market conditions. But they remain in place distributing what income they can to their designated causes and programs; We’re proud to be entrusted to keep funds moving into the for-purpose sector,” said Ms Kennedy.

    RESET 2020 will be delivered through bi-weekly live broadcasts and interactive Q&A sessions featuring subject matter specialists offering practical, relevant support and sharing insights and inspiring case studies.

    The topics will be informed by a national Impact+Need Research Study to map the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, and the changing needs of social sector organisations, which launches today. The research will be repeated at three intervals over the coming year to continue to track evolving needs and determine what further support may be required.

    All social sector organisations are invited to participate in the research study and register for the RESET 2020 Program. The initial program for May and June will be announced on 7 May. All sessions will be recorded for playback.

    The Xfactor Collective is a growing national network of 50+ specialist consultants and businesses, working across 300 areas of specialisation. RESET 2020 delivers on the Collective’s mission to improve the wellbeing of all social changemakers by creating opportunities to access support and advice in an equitable way.

    Ms Kennedy said the Collective’s ability to bring together proven subject matter specialists to address issues that are top of mind for the sector was an innovative approach at a challenging time.

    “This is such a challenging time and it’s important to take a holistic approach to knowledge sharing. Through this partnership, we aim to empower all organisations through ensuring they have access to very practical advice and support from seasoned professionals to help them reset and continue to support their beneficiaries – no matter their size, focus or location."

    Julia Keady, CEO and Founder of The Xfactor Collective, said in many ways, the Collective was made for this kind of situation.
    “As a collaborative, integrated and complementary network, we are uniquely placed to help organisations during times of change, challenge and transformation. We are honoured to be able to leverage our collective experience to walk alongside leaders and support the reinvention and the recalibration of their organisations, as they work out their new normal.

    “Our specialists range from technologists to psychologists, with 80% of our specialists having ‘been in the trenches’ themselves as organisation leaders, and with 35% of our specialists having rural and regional experience – an important and often overlooked group.

    “These live and interactive sessions will address real challenges and real-life situations, share inspiring examples of how others are responding, and provide a forum to ask questions, so that together we can respond to the challenges and the opportunities that this pandemic presents.”

    RESET 2020 programming will initially begin with 12 live broadcasts and Q&A sessions over May and June, featuring 15 subject matter specialists across a broad range of topics from change and culture, communications and marketing, governance and strategy, technology and e-commerce.

    RESET 2020 is supported by a growing group of outreach partners including Philanthropy Australia, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, Fundraising Institute of Australia, Australian Community Philanthropy, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Social Change Central, Non Profit Alliance and Pro Bono Australia.

    The Impact+Need Research Study is being managed by Specialist Research Agency and Foundation Member of the Collective, Survey Matters. Survey Matters is fully compliant with the Australian Privacy Act and the National Privacy Principles contained in the Act. In addition to adhering to the Australian privacy laws and regulations, Survey Matters Privacy Policy also extends to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR), so organisations who take part in this research can be sure their information is kept confidential and secure.

    More information about RESET2020 and Philanthropy at Equity Trustees is available online. More about the Sector Capacity Building program of Equity Trustees is available in the 2019 Annual Giving Review available here.

    Download the full Media Release

    ________________________________________

    MEDIA INQUIRIES


    Alicia Kokocinski
    General Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024
    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Julie Weldon
    Xfactor Collective
    0423 110 802
    julie.weldon@jawcomms.com.au 

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) (AFSL 240975), Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), are part of the EQT group of companies.     

  • New Aboriginal Housing Foundation established in WA

    An innovative new joint venture will result in the establishment of social housing, specialised care and a training centre in WA following the establishment of the Aboriginal Housing Foundation.
    An innovative new joint venture will result in the establishment of social housing, specialised care and a training centre in WA following the establishment of the Aboriginal Housing Foundation.

    “This venture is the beginning of a new way of doing things,” said Wayne Nannup, CEO of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) and of the Aboriginal Housing Recovery Centre Limited.

    “Our partnership and constructive working relationship with Equity Trustees, as trustee of the Noongar Charitable Trust, has opened the door to a new approach - it has been driven by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people. We are excited about what we can achieve – and the opportunities in the future.”

    The Aboriginal Housing Foundation is a newly created special purpose charitable Trust, created to benefit Noongar people of South West WA, through the acquisition of properties for housing, care and training programs for Noongar people. 

    The first property acquisition, facilitated through the Noongar Charitable Trust, will be the ‘El Caballo’ an existing resort and lifestyle village, which will be used as the basis of a multipurpose complex to ultimately house nearly 180 Aboriginal people, facilitate a domestic violence refuge and support service, rehabilitation centre, cultural awareness centre, childcare places for 50 Aboriginal children and specialist aged care facilities. 

    The vocational training program will have a diverse range of offerings - from horticulture through to language, childcare and property management – while the Trade centre will be equipped to support hospitality and catering training through to building and construction facilities.

    The Aboriginal Housing Foundation will be overseen by two co trustees – the Noongar not-for-profit Aboriginal Housing Recovery Centre Limited, and Equity Trustees.

    “It is our privilege and responsibility as a trustee to ensure that trusts established for the benefit of Aboriginal communities enable and empower those communities,” said Ian Westley, Executive General Manager, Trustee and Wealth Services, Equity Trustees.

    “We have enjoyed a very positive and constructive partnership with Noongar people and organisations through our work with other trusts, and are looking forward to extending this partnership through this new innovative joint venture to improve housing outcomes for Aboriginal people in the South West,” he concluded.

    ________________________________________

    Media inquiries


    Wayne Nannup, Chief Executive Officer, South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council
    reception@noongar.org.au

    Alicia Kokocinski, General Manager – Marketing & Communications, Equity Trustees
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024
    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Power of Attorney appointment does not license early access to inheritance

    Understanding your responsibilities if you have a power of attorney appointment for your parents is as much about ethical as well as legal responsibilities.

    Understanding your responsibilities if you have a power of attorney appointment for your parents is as much about ethical as well as legal responsibilities, Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has cautioned.

    Being appointed an attorney under an enduring power of attorney authorises you to make important legal and financial decisions when someone loses capacity - or chooses not to make these decisions for themselves.

    “It means you have to step into the shoes of the person you are acting for, and act only in their best interests.  Ordinarily, an attorney is not allowed to benefit from the assets of that person while they are acting as an attorney – which makes sense since it can create a situation where judgment can be clouded,” said Marie Brownell, National Manager of Estate Planning at Equity Trustees.

    Examples of appropriate and common use of an enduring power of attorney include buying and selling real estate, transacting on bank accounts, paying bills and ensuring the principal’s assets are properly protected and maintained.

    “We have seen too many situations where children have been appointed as attorney for their mum or dad and have decided to give themselves an early inheritance, although mum or dad are still alive and may need the funds themselves for their own needs and circumstances,” Ms Brownell said.

    “It’s a really sad situation – especially when someone has to go into care and finds that they don’t have the assets they thought they did – because their kids have accessed their money as attorney for their parent. Unfortunately, it happens more than we’d like to think.”

    When appointing an attorney to manage your financial decisions, Equity Trustees recommends:

    • Careful consideration of who you are appointing as your attorney
    • Thinking about appointing more than one person so they must act jointly
    • Considering if an independent appointment, such as a professional trustee company, is better suited to your circumstances
    • Having a ‘plan B’ by appointing a substitute attorney to act if the first person can’t act for any reason
    • Making specific and clear provisions in the power of attorney document about what benefits, if any, your attorney can derive from your assets
    • Obtaining advice about whether to give expanded powers for your attorney to, for example, renew a superannuation binding death benefit nomination or to make seasonal gifts
    • Looking at whether you should have separate powers of attorney dealing with different assets, and
    • If you need to have restrictions around what an attorney can do.

    “Everyone who has mental capacity can and should make plans to ensure they have an enduring power of attorney in place. Appointing your children is very common. However, if you have any doubts about who you have appointed, you can change your mind and revoke it at any time before you lose capacity,” explained Ms Brownell.

    She urged anyone concerned about the behaviour of a friend or relative’s attorney, to seek advice.

    “If someone has lost capacity and there is concern around the decisions made by an attorney or if an attorney is not acting in the best interests of a principal, it is possible to have the attorney’s appointment and decision making reviewed by the relevant State and Territory Tribunal or Supreme Court,” she said.

    “However, like many things in life, a little planning goes a long way – and thinking carefully about this document before there is any pressure or expectation to do so is the best course of action,” she concluded. 

    Read more about estate planning, executor appointments, estate administration and Equity Trustees.

    Download the full Media Release


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager, Marketing and Communications

    03 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    AKokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. Estate planning services are provided by EQT Legal Services Pty Ltd (ABN 32 611 391 149), administration services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 and Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) AFSL 234528 are part of the EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) group of companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:EQT).


    This communication is intended as a source of information only. No reader should act on any matter without first obtaining professional advice which takes into account an individual’s specific objectives, financial situation and needs.

  • Equity Trustees on growth trajectory

    Deliberate strategy to invest for growth

    Deliberate strategy to invest for growth

    • Funds under management, administration and supervision up 44% on the prior corresponding period (pcp) to $111.1 billion
    • Revenue up 5.6% on pcp to $48.9 million
    • Net profit up 2.3% on pcp to $11.5 million
    • Interim dividend increased 3 cents on pcp to 47 cents per share
    • Investing in people and technology to manage growth
    • Successfully taking opportunities as industry restructures

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced a 44% increase in funds under management, administration and supervision (FUMAS) to $111.1 billion during the six months ended 31 December 2019.

    Net profit for the period was up 2.3% to $11.5 million, on revenue of $48.9 million, up 5.6%. The Board declared an interim dividend of 47 cents per share, up 3 cents on the 2019 interim dividend.

    Chairman Jeff Kennett AC said Equity Trustees’ strategy of investing for growth was delivering.

    “Equity Trustees has been investing substantially in resources to enable it to capitalise on the change taking place in the financial services industry, where our capability is in demand.

    “We are well positioned to make the most of opportunities as they arise, and the growth in FUMAS is reflecting the investment made.

    “While this has involved higher costs in the short-term as we build our capacity, the long term benefits for Equity Trustees should be significant.”

    Managing Director Mick O’Brien said the market was increasingly recognising Equity Trustees’ strengths as a respected and highly capable trustee.

    “The growth we are reporting reflects endorsement of our capability not only by our customers, but also business and the industry at large,” he said.

    “Higher expenses, up 6.9% to $29.6 million, reflect the investment the company is making, predominantly in people and technology, to underpin future growth.

     “It is pleasing to report that net profit and dividends continued to rise during the half, despite the significant investment we are making.

    “FUMAS was up significantly in both Trustee & Wealth Services and Corporate Trustee Services.

    “Momentum is strong in our core businesses, boosted by appointments with blue chip companies, and we are continuing to capitalise on organic and inorganic opportunities as they arise.

    “Our European expansion is also beginning to deliver, winning large US and UK clients and significantly boosting funds under supervision.

    “While there are very good growth opportunities for Equity Trustees, we are managing the growth and investing prudently to ensure that our values and respected approach are reinforced.”

    Mr Kennett said that changes in financial services markets had seen the values underpinning Equity Trustees, such as independence and trust, become even more important.

    “During the half we established two perpetual charitable trusts with the Business Council of Australia to help communities around the country recover from disaster and emergency events,” he said.

     “Our Annual Giving Program recently reached a new record of $124.3 million of donations across a range of philanthropic causes.

    “We also welcomed a new Director Catherine Robson, who brings her impressive mix of business experience, legal and financial qualifications and a demonstrated commitment to governance in innovative commercial and not-for-profit organisations to the Equity Trustees Board.

    “Our core purpose is about caring for others, and as we continue to follow this, all our stakeholders will prosper.”

    Mr O’Brien said the outlook for the full year was for continued growth, reflecting the favourable industry fundamentals and a promising pipeline of opportunities.

    View Half Year Results Presentation

    Download the full ASX Announcement


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                             Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                        +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 to provide independent and impartial trustee and executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees offers a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and responsible entity services for external fund managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies. EQT Holdings Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) and has offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees reveals 2019 a record year for giving

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, today released its Annual Giving Review which revealed that the 2019 financial year was a record-breaking year of giving.

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, today released its Annual Giving Review which revealed that the 2019 financial year was a record-breaking year of giving, distributing $124 million to the community – making Equity Trustees the most significant single trustee source of philanthropic funding in the country for that year.

    “It was an extraordinary year and a record for Equity Trustees which is a promising indicator that a culture of philanthropy is growing in Australia,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director of Equity Trustees.

    “It is rare the value and importance of trust structures can be highlighted – but recent discussion about where and how bushfire donations are managed shows that when designed correctly, generosity can be directed just where donors intend it to go. It is an honour to be chosen to steward a legacy into the future and take responsibility to ensure a lasting and positive impact in our community,” he explained.

    In the previous financial year, the distributions reported in the 2018 Annual Giving Review totalled $87 million.

     “The 2019 financial year was distinguished by an increase in grants from charitable trusts from $76 million to $79million, coupled with an unusually large year of bequests from estates and trusts via wills – from $11 million to $45 million in this reporting period,” Mr O’Brien said.

    General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Jodi Kennedy, said that while the way money was being spread across the country, and by cause, was fairly stable, there were changes in how the team have been granting the money.

    “We’re working closely with the for-purpose sector and taking their advice on where money needs to be directed to get real and sustainable change in addressing long term social issues. That has meant we’ve looked at where we can direct larger, or more ongoing funding commitments over years and with a particular emphasis on helping to build the capacity of the sector. So, whether it is in our focus areas of medical health and research, young people or the environment – there is the ability to measure and maximise the positive outcomes of the funding,” she said.

    “As a leading provider of charitable funds in Australia, we want to be much more than just responsible stewards of these funds – we really want to raise the bar around the responsibility we have as a large-scale funder.”

    Ms Kennedy said there were two noticeable trends in compiling the data over the past two years. They were evident in the group of active philanthropy clients – people who are engaged in structuring their philanthropy during their lifetime, rather than directing it via their Will to a one-off bequest or trust to support particularly causes or charities.

    “One trend we are seeing is the increasing intergenerational involvement in philanthropy – that is, grandparents or parents actively engaging their children in their philanthropic fund, educating them around the strategic intent of their giving and encouraging them to be involved more formally,” she said.

    “Some of these younger generations are coming through their parents or grandparent’s involvement, and we are also seeing clients from the Next-Gen who are part of a new breed of self-made tech innovators or social enterprise entrepreneurs”, Ms Kennedy said.

     “What we’re hearing from younger philanthropists is that they are more inclined to lean towards supporting initiatives that are focussed on environmental sustainability or climate change mitigation. There is a deep concern about animals, environment and humanitarian issues driven by climate change. This is a shift away from areas that have historically attracted the most funding.”

    The 2019 Annual Giving Review analyses the giving data from the 2019 financial year from more than 650 charitable trusts, and bequests from clients of Equity Trustees. It includes stories about projects and programs funded in that period and is available online from 18 February 2020.

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin. Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) (AFSL 240975),  Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), are part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees establishes Australian charitable trusts to support national disaster recovery

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has completed the establishment of two perpetual charitable trusts designed specifically to support people and communities around the country to recover from disaster and emergency events. 

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has completed the establishment of two perpetual charitable trusts designed specifically to support people and communities around the country to recover from disaster and emergency events. 

    With the support of the Commonwealth Government, and all Members of both Houses of the Federal Parliament, Equity Trustees had the two Trusts registered in record time and they were listed in the Tax Act after the Bill passed through the Senate on 6 February. The listing ensures tax deductibility for all donations from individuals and companies and the ability to accept contributions from private and public ancillary funds.

    The Australian Volunteers Support Trust and the Community Rebuilding Trust were established in response to the recent catastrophic bushfires and they will also operate to support any future disaster and emergency event recovery effort. The Trusts are a joint initiative with the Business Council of Australia (BCA), with our work being performed pro bono, including pro bono support from Gilbert and Tobin and Deloitte.

    Equity Trustees Chairman, the Hon Jeff Kennett AC said: “This joint effort is about planning for any future recovery efforts and being positioned to help ensure there is a pool of funds available to complement donations made in response to specific disasters and emergency events. 

    “We need to think long-term, and we need to have a way people, business and philanthropic funds can have confidence in where they direct their donations and their support. Trusts with clearly defined purposes are the best way of ensuring funds are directed where people want and have the lowest administrative costs, ensuring more dollars benefit the community.”

    The Australian Volunteer Support Trust (AVST) will assist the family of any recognised emergency services volunteer in Australia who tragically loses their life while responding to a disaster. Families of such volunteers who lost their lives after 1 July 2019 will be able to seek support from the Trust.

    The AVST Advisory Panel is being led by Mr Kennett and includes Jennifer Westacott AO, Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, David Gonski AC and Lisa Paul AO. Representatives from Australian emergency service volunteering organisations will also be included on the Panel.

    “We are deeply committed to supporting the families of those emergency services volunteers who have lost their lives serving and protecting all of us and our communities. We particularly want to ensure that the children of such volunteers are not disadvantaged and their key to future opportunities through education is secure,” Mr Kennett said.

    The Community Rebuilding Trust (CRT) will support the rebuilding of community assets and is part of a larger Community Rebuilding Initiative chaired by General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC, and a committee including John Anderson AO, Rebecca Frizelle, Danny Gilbert AM, Katie Page, Tim Reed, Tony Shepherd AO, Richard Goyder AO, Yvonne von Hartel AM and Jennifer Westacott AO.

    Equity Trustees, which manages and administers more than 650 charitable trusts and distributes more than $80 million a year, provided its specialised trustee services team to establish both trusts.

    Equity Trustees Managing Director Mick O’Brien said: “With the listing in the Tax Act, the two Trusts we have established can also support charities and foundations in a way that not only honours the intention of the donors for the immediate cause but also contributes to a longer term approach to support.  

    “This is one way Equity Trustees can offer practical and useful support to the recovery effort. These trusts have been established to ensure all money that goes into them will go to the recovery and rebuilding effort,” Mr. O’Brien said

     More information is available at www.eqt.com.au/DisasterResponse

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin. Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) (AFSL 240975),  Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) (AFSL 234528), are part of the EQT group of companies.

  • Equity Trustees proudly partnering with RCH
    for 150th

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, is a Principal Partner of Me and UooUoo: The Royal Children’s Hospital 150th Anniversary Art Trail.

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, is a Principal Partner of Me and UooUoo: The Royal Children’s Hospital 150th Anniversary Art Trail which is set to take over the streets of Melbourne and Geelong in 2020.

    In recognition of this significant milestone, this spectacular public art trail of 100 UooUoo sculptures individually decorated by artists will be on display from September to November 2020 in laneways, streets, parks and public spaces across the two cities.

    “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Art Trail and help celebrate the incredible work The Royal Children’s Hospital has done in Victoria in the last 150 years,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director of Equity Trustees. “We are looking forward to seeing the UooUoo sculptures emerge from the creative process and becoming yet another part of the appeal of Melbourne and Geelong to our community.”

    Equity Trustees was established 20 years after The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne. The population of the city in those intervening years had almost doubled to around 440,000 people, with both institutions having their work cut out for them during the boom period which saw Melbourne become one of the largest – and richest- cities in the world at the time.

    The two organisations are also connected through philanthropy, with Equity Trustees managing one of the largest philanthropic portfolios in Australia.

    “Since our beginnings, we have been responsible for passing on funds on behalf of our clients past and present. In just the past three years, Equity Trustees has distributed funds to the RCH on behalf of 63 charitable trusts, thanks to our philanthropic clients,” said Mr O’Brien.

    “One of these is the Harry Lyon Moss Trust. In 1960, Harry Moss, an investor and financier, left instructions for £1 million to be held in a charitable trust that would pay an income in perpetuity (forever) to the RCH, which has meant nearly $70 million distributing from the Trust over the past 80 years.

    “In honour of these connections, and in the hope of many more in the future, Equity Trustees is proud to be a Principal Partner in 2020 of Me and UooUoo: The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail.”

    Find out more about the partnership and the Art Trail.

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin.


  • Boost to Equity Trustees Business Development team

    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has made two new appointments to its Trustee and Wealth Services (TWS) Business Development team.


    Australia’s leading trustee company, Equity Trustees, has made two new appointments to its Trustee and Wealth Services (TWS) Business Development team.

    Based in Sydney, Tomas Klein, formerly an executive at NAB, is the new General Manager, Business Development in the TWS Private Client division. He is joined by Xavier Craven in the role of Business Development Manager, also in the Sydney office.

    “With well-developed understandings of the key aspects of our highly specialised business, including investments, estate planning and philanthropy, and experience in working with clients with a very similar profile to ours, Tomas and Xavier are excellent additions to the team in TWS responsible for key accounts and clients,” said Ian Westley, Executive General Manager, TWS Private Clients.

    “Their extensive expertise will support the continued expansion of our national business, with a focus on strengthening and growing our business partnerships in the Sydney market.

    “They each come from extensive financial services backgrounds, with formal qualifications in business and finance, and they understand the unique regulatory environment of a trustee company and the importance of our role in managing and protecting the wealth of the individuals, families and organisations we serve,” he said.

    Tomas Klein’s experience includes 15 years at NAB, holding leadership roles in business markets and private client segments before moving into roles with regional leadership responsibilities. As General Manager of Business Development in TWS at Equity Trustees, he will lead a small national team and develop strategies to continue to grow the diverse portfolio of private client services and products.

    Xavier Craven was previously a partner at Primestock Securities. His experience includes senior adviser positions at Perpetual Private Wealth, Affinity Wealth Services and Australian Financial Counsellors, where he was also a company director.

    “We congratulate Tomas and Xavier on their appointments and welcome them to Equity Trustees,” concluded Mr Westley.

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, New York, London and Dublin.


  • Senior appointments in Dublin and London

    Three new appointments in the Dublin and London offices of Equity Trustees Fund Services have strengthened the capability of the 130-year-old Australian business as it pursues its global growth objectives.

    Senior appointments in Dublin and London expand Equity Trustees Fund Services global team

    Three new appointments in the Dublin and London offices of Equity Trustees Fund Services have strengthened the capability of the 130-year-old Australian business as it pursues its global growth objectives.

    “The Fund Services division of our business has built a market leading proposition over two decades in independent fund governance,” said Harvey Kalman, Head of Global Fund Services at Equity Trustees.

    “It’s critical in maintaining our reputation for independent expertise and client service to appoint experienced members of staff that can continue to allow us to provide a market leading service to our clients and the investors in the funds for which we are responsible,” he said.

    The appointees will report to Kevin Lavery, CEO (Ireland) and Chief Operating Officer (UK & Europe) of Equity Trustees Fund Services. They are:

    Ronan Walsh, Investment & Portfolio Risk (Dublin)

    With 20 years’ experience spanning Australia and Europe, Ronan joins the team to head up our Independent Investment and Portfolio Risk oversight function.  With a proven track record in all areas of investments including fund risk, strategic asset allocation, asset management, portfolio construction, governance and foreign exchange markets. He has previously held roles including CIO at Crescent Wealth, GM of Investments at REST Industry Super, as well as roles with VicSuper, Russell Investments, Citigroup Global markets, MLC Investment Management and Lend Lease Investment Management.

    James Ellison, Head of Operations (London)

    James was formerly the Head of Fund Accounting Oversight at BMO Global Asset Management (EMEA) where he was responsible for more than 20 fund structures incorporating 175 sub-funds across UK, Luxembourg, Ireland, Cayman and Guernsey and AUM of around €40bn. Previously he held roles as fund controller at JP Morgan Asset Management and Goldman Sachs. 

    David Ryan, Investment Oversight Manager (Dublin)

    David joins Equity Trustees after three years with global custodian, fund administrator and asset servicing provider Société Générale Securities Services. Prior to that, David worked at leading asset servicing providers CACEIS and International Financial Data Services.

    “Our newest team members each bring significant expertise to our European business,” said Mr Lavery. “They each have exceptional backgrounds having in worked with major global asset managers and service providers and bring a deep understanding of the regulatory and operational environments from around the globe. We welcome them to Equity Trustees and congratulate them on their appointments.”

    Equity Trustees Fund Services provides independent fund governance, risk and compliance, product development and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, London and most recently Dublin. From our London and Dublin bases, the company provides a comprehensive range of UCITS Management Company and Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) services to domestic and international Investment managers i.

    More about Equity Trustees Fund Services available at www.equitytrustees.com

    Download the full Media Release


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees, the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited, was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.


    Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited was established in January 2017. Through our Independent Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) and Management Company services we offer a comprehensive range of UCITS and AIFMD fund services to International and domestic Investment Managers, Distributors and Financial Services professionals looking to establish and operate funds in both the UK & Europe. Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (Company number 635185) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited. This media release has been prepared to provide you with general information only.

  • Do you have the Will to cope with the 'roaring 20s'?

    Not just a new year, but a new decade has arrived – the new ‘roaring 20s’ – but can your Will cope with the decade ahead?

    Not just a new year, but a new decade has arrived – the new ‘roaring 20s’ – but can your Will cope with the decade ahead?

    “If you think about all the things that changed for you and your family over the past decade, you quickly see that your world could look very different by 2030. We can’t anticipate everything, but it’s important that everyone takes the time to review their estate planning documents such as Wills and Powers of Attorney regularly to make sure these documents reflect your current circumstances” said Marie Brownell, National Manager of Estate Planning at Equity Trustees.

    “The beginning of a brand-new decade is as good a time as any to pull out your documents and re-read them to see if they would still work as you intended when you last had them drafted.

    Ms Brownell said the most common changes were:

    • Marriage, separation or divorce not just for the Will maker, but among any intended beneficiaries of the Will (usually the kids and grandkids)
    • Births and deaths in the family
    • Changes to assets

    “Of course, there are many more – families and financial circumstances are incredibly varied. Once you factor in blended families, extended family – and then assets like superannuation and other investments, it can be a lot to factor in to a Will.

    “The key thing to remember is that every Will should be reviewed every few years just to check in and make sure it’s right for your circumstances,” she explained.

    She urged everyone, particularly those who did not yet have a Will or Power of Attorney, to consult an estate planning professional.

    “And if you don't have at least a valid current Will or Power of Attorney, you should get one. If you have children, are a member of a superannuation fund, have life insurance, own a house or any other assets, then you need to have a Will and Power of Attorney. Having these documents in place is not something you should postpone – you never know when they might be needed,” she said.

    Three things to think of as you re-read your estate planning documents or consult your estate planning professional to create or review your estate planning documents:

    1. Who should benefit (and why)? 

    Determine who you want to leave something to – and those you don’t want to leave anything to. Think about who you are responsible for, financially or otherwise. List your assets (and liabilities) – especially the (financially or emotionally) important ones. A list also helps your executor know where and what everything is

    2. Who to appoint?

    Decide who you want to appoint to specific roles, including executor of the Will, trustee of trusts, guardian of minor children and attorneys under any powers of attorney, and have a conversation with them. Have a ‘back up’ plan if they can’t or won’t do it.


    3. What’s changed in the past 12 months?

    Review any changes that have occurred in the past year and ask your adviser if it means you need to update your estate planning documents. 

    “If you think over these questions, you’ll find the process to get your paperwork in order to cope with the new decade will be fairly efficient and pain free – leaving you to get on with your life,” Ms Brownell concluded.

    Read more about Wills and Estate Planning and find out more about Equity Trustees.

    Download the full Media Release here


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. Estate planning services are provided by EQT Legal Services Pty Ltd (ABN 32 611 391 149), administration services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 and Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) AFSL 234528 are part of the EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) group of companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:EQT).

    This communication is intended as a source of information only. No reader should act on any matter without first obtaining professional advice which takes into account an individual’s specific objectives, financial situation and needs.


  • They will sort it out when I'm gone

    It's a common assumption fraught with danger: Many people appoint one of their children to be the executor of their will.

    (and other flawed estate planning assumptions)

    It’s a common assumption fraught with danger: Many people appoint one of their children to be the executor of their will – expecting (or hoping) that everything will be resolved after they’re gone.

    “It’s a very common way to think,” said Marie Brownell, National Manager of Estate Planning at Equity Trustees. “But there are two scenarios in particular where this assumption is very much fraught with danger.

    “The first is where the kids don’t get along. It’s surprising how many people somehow imagine that when they die, their kids will suddenly find common ground and be able to resolve their parents’ estate amicably. It’s a nice idea, but I’ve worked on many estate administration matters and the more common scenario is that the death of a parent heightens tensions between siblings.

    “It becomes especially problematic when one of the children is the executor of the estate. This can be a final straw in some families – tensions which may have been held in check while the parent is still alive, are unleashed. It can be very difficult for that child to perform the role of executor effectively in those circumstances,” Ms Brownell explained.

    She said that people who know their offspring have tense relationships often appoint independent executors to keep the peace.

    “When people think it through, they often want to avoid putting another family member or family friend in the middle of their children – which is probably very wise.”

    Ms Brownell said the other scenario that can be difficult in managing an estate after a parent has passed away is when the arrangements in the Will are complex – or where the proper estate planning has not occurred.

    “Managing an estate administration as an executor is a big responsibility. There are tax obligations which impact the estate and beneficiaries depending on their circumstances – and also a number of legal requirements in winding up certain assets. The estate administration can be further complicated with litigious claims against the estate and complex asset structures

    “In these cases, leaving it all to the kids to sort out after you’re gone can add a big workload to whichever child is appointed as executor.” 

    Ms Brownell advised people to think carefully about their family dynamics, as well as their assets when reviewing their estate plans.

    “It can be difficult to think about some of these aspects, which is why consulting a professional can be very useful. Not just in assisting you to have the right estate planning documentation to achieve what you want in terms of distributing your assets after you’re gone, but also in getting advice on the available alternatives to keep the peace and reduce any burden that may come with that process when the time comes,” she concluded.

    Read more about estate planning, executor appointments, estate administration and Equity Trustees.

    Download the full Media Release


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager, Marketing and Communications

    03 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    AKokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. Estate planning services are provided by EQT Legal Services Pty Ltd (ABN 32 611 391 149), administration services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 and Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) AFSL 234528 are part of the EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) group of companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:EQT).


    This communication is intended as a source of information only. No reader should act on any matter without first obtaining professional advice which takes into account an individual’s specific objectives, financial situation and needs.

  • Viertel Foundation awards $4.1M to Medical Research

    $3.75M in Research Fellowships plus $425,000 to Clinical Investigators

    $3.75m in research fellowships plus $425,000 to clinical investigators

    The prestigious annual Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowships have been announced for 2019 committing just over $3.75 million to three mid-career Australian researchers undertaking leading edge research into immunology and infectious diseases, as well as its role of the immune microenvironment in cancer.

    The 2019 Senior Medical Research Fellows are:

    1. Professor Andrew Steer - Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
    2. Dr Tracy Putoczki - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
    3. Dr Richard Berry - Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.

    Each Fellow receives $1.25 million ($250,000 per year for five years) to support their important work informing the development of new therapies in their areas of specialisation. 

     “Medical research, and many innovations to advance our community, social, economic and health wellbeing, rely on philanthropy. For nearly 25 years Sylvia and Charles Viertel’s legacy has been honoured through the fellowships and the establishment of an impressive alumni of medical researchers,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees.

    “The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation funds two of the Fellowships. We were delighted this year to bring together the Viertel funding with additional funds from two other charitable trusts we manage, the Cross Family Trust and the Frank Alexander Charitable Trust, to make a third fellowship possible,” she said.

    In addition, five $85,000 one-year clinical investigation scholarships were awarded to:

    1. Dr Jun Yang - Hudson Institute of Medical Research
    2. Dr Amali Mallawaarachchi - The Garvan Institute of Medical Research
    3. Dr Nidhi Garg - The University of Sydney
    4. Dr Mastura Monif – Monash University
    5. Dr Andrew Neal – Monash University.

    Professor Peter Leedman, Chairman of the Viertel Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board, revealed that the 2019 applications for both the Fellowships and the clinical investigations scholarships, were of an extremely high standard.

    “Each year we are impressed by the quality of the candidates and the incredible work they are doing in pursuit of new diagnostics, treatments and preventative strategies for some of our most intractable medical problems,” said Professor Leedman.

    The Viertel Foundation is managed in partnership with co-trustees Justice Debra Mullins AO (Chair), Rex Freudenberg and Paul de Silva, and is one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations distributing around $7.5 million annually.

    Click the link for more about the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation.

    Download the Full Media Release

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager Marketing & Communications          

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298, AFSL 240975) and Equity Trustee Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332, AFSL 234528), both companies are part of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT)

  • 2019 AGM Presentation to shareholders

    Below is an extract of the slide presentation to be presented to shareholders at the EQT Holdings Limited 2019 Annual General meeting today.

    An audio recording of the address by the Chairman and the Managing Director will be available online in the Investor Centre on the Equity Trustees website this afternoon.

    Download ASX Announcement and AGM Presentation


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager, Marketing and Communications

    +61 403 172 024

    AKokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                         Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                  +61 3 8623 5133

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                           pgentry@eqt.com.au



  • Equity Trustees enters agreements with CMLA

    EQT Holdings (ASX: EQT) today announced new agreements with The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (CMLA).

    EQT Holdings (ASX: EQT) today announced new agreements with The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (CMLA), in which

    • EQT subsidiary Equity Trustees Limited will take on the Trustee role for $10.5 billion of assets of CMLA
    • Another subsidiary, Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL), will become the Registrable Superannuation Entity (RSE) Licensee for $4.5 billion of superannuation funds. CMLA has entered an agreement with ETSL to continue to operate as administrator and life insurer of these funds.

    The combined agreements will increase Equity Trustees’ total funds under supervision to more than $100 billion.

    EQT Holdings Managing Director Mick O’Brien said, “This is a significant announcement for Equity Trustees, cementing its position as the leading trustee in Australia.

    “Equity Trustees is the company of choice because we have the resources and the capability to take these roles on.

    “Each appointment is independent, and the funds will be overseen by separate specialist subsidiary trustee companies. 

    “In our superannuation and responsible entity businesses, our focus is on looking after the rights of members and unitholders within the funds, independent of all other parties.

    “Our recent investment in resources, including senior personnel and technology, strengthens our ability to support opportunities such as this. We look forward to partnering with CMLA.”

    Mr O’Brien said the agreements were part of the previously flagged pipeline of opportunities and confirmed that there had been significant investment to support the pipeline, and that earnings growth is expected to be weighted to the second half FY20.

    The appointments took effect from 1 October 2019.

    Download the full ASX Announcement

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                             Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                        +61 3 8623 5133

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

    About CMLA

    The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited (CMLA) ABN 12 004 021 809 AFSL 235035). CMLA is a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945.


  • Equity Trustees delivers increased profit and positions for continuing growth

    Strong organic growth, higher dividend in challenging industry environment.


    • Net profit up 12.7% to $22.2 million
    • Basic earnings per share up 11.7% to 108.6 cents
    • Final dividend of 46c per share; total dividend for the year 9.8% higher at 90c per share
    • Funds under management, administration and supervision of $84.9 billion, marginally lower
    • Strong, stable performance in a changing industry environment
    • Investing for new growth phase driven organically and through potential new partnerships and appointments

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced a 12.7% increase in net profit to $22.2 million and growth in basic earnings per share of 11.7% for the year ended 30 June 2019.

    Revenue increased 4.6% to $92.5 million, while expenses grew by only 2.4%.

    Funds under management, administration and supervision (FUMAS) were down slightly to $84.9 billion, however, there was good growth in FUMAS in the second half.

    Chairman Jeff Kennett AC said: “Equity Trustees has produced another strong performance and is continuing to deliver for all stakeholders in a changing and sometimes difficult environment for financial services.

    EQT’s model of offering independent, trusted services is driving the group’s success and we are well positioned to capitalise on future growth opportunities.”

    Managing director Mick O’Brien said the business had reported consistent underlying organic growth over the year.

    “All areas of the business performed strongly, particularly those arising from recent acquisitions and partnerships.

    Solid revenue growth, healthy cash flows and a strong balance sheet underpinned this performance.”

    Mr O’Brien said Equity Trustees was targeting opportunities in Australia and overseas to grow and leverage its independent model.

    “We are investing heavily in resources, including senior personnel and technology, to enable us to support growth opportunities as they arise.”

    Mr O’Brien said the company’s European expansion was on track, winning large US and UK clients and is well placed for any Brexit outcome.

    He said that while market volatility would continue to influence the Group’s financial performance, the outlook for FY20 and beyond was positive, with attractive industry fundamentals and a solid pipeline of opportunities.

    “The investment we have made to support the potential growth opportunities means that we expect earnings growth to be weighted towards the second half of the 2020 financial year.

    Our independent model is increasingly sought in an industry undergoing substantial realignment and positions us well for future growth.”

    Download the Full ASX Announcement

    Download 2019 Full Year Results Presentation


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                             Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                        +61 3 8623 5133

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.



  • Equity Trustees appoints new Director to Super board

    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced the appointment of Paul Rogan as an independent director to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board (ETSL).

    Australia’s leading trustee company Equity Trustees today announced the appointment of Paul Rogan as an independent director to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board (ETSL).

    Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said: “Paul has excellent experience and qualifications – the right mix of capability for a Board which has responsibility for more than $8bn of funds under supervision for nearly 230,000 superannuation members.”

    Paul is a senior financial services executive with a proven track record for delivering results having successfully managed businesses through rapid growth phases and complex change. He held senior roles at Challenger Limited, National Australia Group (Wealth Management), Lendlease / MLC and the NRMA Building Society. In addition, he has more than 25 years’ experience in serving on entity boards and industry groups.

    “The role of a specialist superannuation trustee is essential to the integrity of our superannuation system which maintains millions of Australians in retirement,” said Tony Lally, Chairman, ETSL Board. 

    “Members must have confidence in the superannuation trustee responsible for their fund so they can trust that their interests are being properly looked after – and part of that is engaging the best expertise on the Board of our market leading specialist trustee business.”

    Paul Rogan joins Sue Everingham, who was appointed in February 2019, fellow independent directors Catherine Robson, Ellis Varejes and Tony Lally (Chairman), and executive directors Mark Blair (Executive General Manager, Superannuation Trustee Office) and Mick O'Brien (Managing Director, Equity Trustees) on the ETSL Board.

    “Equity Trustees congratulates Paul on his appointment and look forward to his contribution as we continue to raise the standard in securing members’ interests,” concluded Mr Lally.

     Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing & Communications            

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Latest appointment confirms Equity Trustees’ offshore strategy

    Equity Trustees’ London-based Fund Services business has been appointed Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) for the River and Mercantile Funds (ICVC), effective 21 October 2019.

    Equity Trustees’ London-based Fund Services business has been appointed Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) for the River and Mercantile Funds (ICVC), effective 21 October 2019.

    Since being established in 2006 River and Mercantile Asset Management has evolved and broadened, with the assets under management of its parent Group now exceeding £40bn (A$88bn). The ACD performs the oversight function for the funds within the ICVC (Investment Company with Variable Capital), which has assets totalling more than £2.2bn (A$ 3.9bn).

    This appointment builds on an existing relationship. In 2017 Equity Trustees was appointed as the Responsible Entity (RE) to the River and Mercantile Global High Alpha Fund in Australia, the first Australian registered unit trust developed by the London based investment manager. The ACD function in the UK is very similar to the RE role the company has in Australia.

    “This is a significant appointment for our global Fund Services business,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director of Equity Trustees. “It is a credit to the expertise and competitive offering of our UK business to attract such a large-scale fund manager of the calibre of River and Mercantile. It is also confirmation of Equity Trustees’ strategy to leverage our trusted 130-year-old brand to expand our market leading Australian RE business offshore – opening up new opportunities for our existing clients in the process.”

    Outsourcing to independent specialists to perform the role of corporate fiduciary is an increasing trend globally, according to Harvey Kalman, Global Head of Fund Services and Executive General Manager, Corporate and Trustee Services at Equity Trustees.

    “It makes sense for fund managers to want to focus on managing clients’ money,” he said. “This appointment was a result of River and Mercantile making a decision to outsource their internal ACD to an independent provider, allowing them to focus on the investment management function. In Australia, we see a similar trend with internal RE functions being outsourced, so fund managers can focus on their core business.”

    Equity Trustees recently established an additional office in Dublin earlier this year, strengthening the offering of ACD services to UK funds and Management Company Services to Irish and European funds, as well as it’s RE services to Australian funds.

    Read the UK announcement of this appointment here, and more about Equity Trustees Fund Services at www.equitytrustees.com

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager Marketing & Communications          

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. Equity Trustees Fund Services Ltd provides fund governance, risk and compliance, service provider oversight, product assistance and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London and Dublin.

    Fund Services is a division of the EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) group of companies. EQT Holdings Limited is a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees appointed Authorised Corporate Director for the River and Mercantile Funds ICVC

    Equity Trustees Fund Services has been appointed Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) for the River and Mercantile Funds ICVC, effective 21 October 2019.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services has been appointed Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) for the River and Mercantile Funds ICVC, effective 21 October 2019.

    River and Mercantile Asset Management LLP and River and Mercantile Investments Limited remain the investment managers to the funds.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services is the UK Specialist Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) business of Equity Trustees group, a 130-year-old, ASX listed, trustee company and Australia’s market leading provider of specialist funds governance services to domestic and international fund managers.

    “We are delighted to have this opportunity to further expand our global relationship with River and Mercantile with the approval from the Financial Conduct Authority to take over as the ACD for the ICVC. This transition is further evidence that the specialist ACD model is seen as the optimal way forward for investment managers looking to deliver value and provide a robust governance structure for investors,” said James Gardner, Co-CEO Equity Trustees Fund Services (UK & Europe). 

    James Barham, CEO of River and Mercantile Group PLC, said: “Since launching River and Mercantile Asset Management in 2006 our business and its capabilities have evolved and broadened with assets under management of the parent Group now exceeding £40bn.”

    “The ACD performs an extremely important role for our equity fund management business where transparent, independent oversight is critically important. Following a thorough due diligence process we initiated last year, we’ve determined that transitioning the ACD role to Equity Trustees Fund Services will enhance this and allow us to focus on what we do best – managing our clients’ money.”

    Mr Gardner said the specialist ACD service had a strong appeal, especially for fund management businesses looking to connect with a service provider with a broader, global capability.

    “The strategic move for Equity Trustees to expand into the UK and Europe from Australia was to service managers with a profile like that of River and Mercantile,” he said.  

    “Our UK ACD, UCITS Management Company and AIFM services continue to attract attention from investment managers looking for a specialist, experienced and knowledgeable partner with solid operational and financial substance,” Mr Gardner concluded.

    Read the Australian announcement of this appointment here, and more about Equity Trustees Fund Services at www.equitytrustees.com

     Download the Full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager Marketing & Communications

    Equity Trustees

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. Equity Trustees Fund Services provides fund governance, risk and compliance, service provider oversight, product assistance and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London and Dublin.

    Fund Services in Europe are provided by Equity Trustees Fund Services Ltd and Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited which are part of the EQT Holdings Limited group (ABN 22 607 797 615),  a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin

  • Details for EQT Holdings Full Year Results Release

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT) will conduct a webinar presentation by Mick O’Brien, Managing Director and Philip Gentry, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer for investors following the release of  EQT’s Full Year Results.

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT) will conduct a webinar presentation by Mick O’Brien, Managing Director and Philip Gentry, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer for investors following the release of  EQT’s Full Year Results.

    Results release:              Wednesday 21 August 2019

    Webinar:                       9.30am – 10.30am, Wednesday 21 August 2019

    Those intending to join the webinar must register here. Those who prefer to listen to the presentation by phone can dial 1800 558 698 (+61 2 9007 3187) then enter the conference ID 10000826. If you are calling from the UK, please dial 0808 168 3761 then enter the conference ID 10000826.

    Access to a recording of the webcast and the slides from the presentation will be available the next business day at www.eqt.com.au/shareholders

    Company Overview: Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As one of Australia’s largest and oldest listed independent trustees, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including estate planning, estate management, trust and philanthropic services, asset management, financial advice and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external fund managers.

    Download the full ASX Announcement


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 to provide independent and impartial trustee and executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees offers a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and responsible entity services for external fund managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies. EQT Holdings Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) and has offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                                 Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                       Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                            +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                                   pgentry@eqt.com.au

  • Equity Trustees announces record project funding of $1m for chronic fatigue syndrome

    Equity Trustees today announced a record $1 million grant from the philanthropic trust, The Mason Foundation

    Equity Trustees today announced a record $1 million grant from the philanthropic trust, The Mason Foundation, which will go towards project funding for a landmark five-year project which aims to help medical researchers find solutions to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME/CFS), a debilitating and little understood condition.

    The innovative project funding brings together researchers from La Trobe University, Emerge Australia and Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Red Cross) and many other institutions to establish the first Australian Registry and Biobank for ME/CFS, and link research teams from several national institutions as well as consortia based in Europe, the United Kingdom and North America – all working towards identifying causes and potential treatments for the disease. The Biobank will provide access to blood samples and DNA for researchers.

    Professor Peter Schofield AO, Chair of the Mason Foundation’s National Medical Advisory Panel, explained: “The development of a new Australian collaborative resource to better tackle ME/CFS has been a priority for the Mason Foundation. The Panel selected this team from a strong pool of applicants based on their plans to establish this national registry and biobank to undertake and facilitate a range of new research projects. The registry and biobank will contribute new insights into the causes and potential treatments of ME/CFS which will help people who live with this condition globally.”

    “As we are still in the process of trying to work out the markers for diagnosis, as well as potential causes and ultimately treatments, the scale of work needed is enormous. In each of our countries the sample groups are small. But together we can share the work – and share the data. Eventually we will also share what we hope will be ways forward to address this condition,” Head of Microbiology at La Trobe University and project leader, Professor Fisher said.

     “Very little public funding has gone into this disease over the past decades,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees. “It affects up to 1 per cent of the population, and for many it is debilitating and confusing, with 25 per cent of those affected left housebound. This is the space where philanthropic funding can have a real and sustainable – and potentially life changing – impact on the people affected and the community.”

    The Mason Foundation was established as a result of a generous donation in 2003 from Judith Jane Mason, who was motivated by her own experience with ME/CFS and also to honour “a most intelligent, wonderful and charitable man” - her adored father, Harold. Judith died in 2013 leaving behind the Foundation and its purpose to support research into ME/CFS and Alzheimer’s disease. Over the past decade, the Foundation has distributed over $10 Million for research grants and fellowships and is the leading funder of ME/CFS research in Australia, distributing around $1 million each year.

    More about this project and its aims can be found here.

    Equity Trustees manages more than 600 charitable trusts and foundations which distributed more than $80 million in FY18. 36% of this funding went to the medical research and health sector. More about Equity Trustees and impact philanthropy can be found here: www.eqt.com.au/givingreview

    Download the full Media Release

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager Marketing & Communications          

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298, AFSL 240975) and Equity Trustee Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332, AFSL 234528), both companies are part of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT)

  • Four more appointments in Superannuation Trustee Office

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has boosted the Superannuation Trustee Office with four further appointments.

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has boosted the Superannuation Trustee Office with four further appointments to ensure it meets the growing demand from a superannuation industry with increasingly sophisticated expectations of the role of trustee in safeguarding member interests.

    “The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry which concluded early this year threw in to sharp focus the importance of a strong and operationally independent trustee office” said Mark Blair, Executive General Manager of the Superannuation Trustee Office.

    The four newest appointments expand capability in the areas of claims, insurance and client liaison:

    • Princess Navarro – Head of Insurance: Princess was previously a Principal of Mercer and the Insurance, Policy and Governance Leader where she was responsible for developing insurance policy responses to industry and legislative change, strategically managing insurer relationships and meeting the governance requirements of insurance products within superannuation.
    • Ian Donaldson – Senior Client Account Manager: Ian was originally an Actuary who transitioned to business development and relationship management roles during his 20 years at Mercer and AXA before that. 
    • Pricillia Chand – Trustee Officer (claims): Pricillia joins our Claims team and has significant experience in claims, including training and quality consulting, and has previously worked with ASIC, MLC and Colonial Life.
    • Anthony Marasigan – Fund Accountant: Anthony has more than a decade of experience as a fund accountant in New Zealand with Aon Hewitt and then Link Market Services.

    Mr Blair said it was critical to ensure the highest-level professional skills in the team to enable the STO to comprehensively cover an ever more complex environment while remaining focussed on the primary objective of achieving best possible member outcomes

    “Our superannuation clients receive the very best state of the art independent governance model for their funds and can have confidence that the people, systems and platforms used to support the trustee function come second to none in terms of experience, expertise – and service,” Mr Blair said.

    “Equity Trustees welcomes our newest appointments – they are an important part of our ongoing commitment to growing and strengthening our role as a leader in superannuation trusteeship,” he concluded.

    Previous senior appointments have included David Warren in client relationship management, and Sue Everingham to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board.

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing & Communications    

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees appointed Authorised Corporate Director to the AllianceBernstein UK OEIC

    Global investment manager AllianceBernstein has appointed Equity Trustees Fund Services as the Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) for the firm’s newly launched UK OEIC.

    Global investment manager AllianceBernstein has appointed Equity Trustees Fund Services as the Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) for the firm’s newly launched UK OEIC.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services, is the UK Independent ACD business of Equity Trustees, a 130-year-old, ASX listed, trustee company and Australia’s market leading provider of independent funds governance services to domestic and international fund managers.

    “We are pleased to have been selected to undertake the ACD role for this exciting new proposition and congratulate AllianceBernstein on its launch. Being selected by one of the world’s largest Asset Managers is further proof that the Independent Model is seen as the way forward for Investment Managers looking to deliver value and provide a robust governance structure for their investors,” said James Gardner, Co-CEO Equity Trustees Fund Services (UK & Europe).

    “Our UK ACD, UCITS Management Company and AIFM services continue to attract attention from Investment Managers looking for an experienced and knowledgeable partner with real operational and financial substance,” said Mr Gardner.

    Jamie Hammond, CEO of AllianceBernstein, EMEA, said: “We see opportunity for bringing our differentiated products to the UK market through the OEIC umbrella. During our tendering process in finding a UK ACD, we were impressed with the breadth of knowledge and experience shown by the team at Equity Trustees and look forward to growing our UK footprint alongside them.

    “Together we have launched the ES AllianceBernstein Europe (ex UK) equity OEIC, which approaches investing as business owners developing a differentiated perspective on companies, and we aim to add further OEIC products soon,” Mr Hammond concluded.

    For more about the Equity Trustees global service, visit www.equitytrustees.com

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager Marketing & Communications          

    +613 8623 5396 / +61403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited (Company number 10145592) and Equity Trustees Fund Services Limited (Company number 04856420) are subsidiaries of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) was established in January 2017. Through our Independent Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) and Management Company services we offer a comprehensive range of UCITS and AIFMD fund services to International and domestic Investment Managers, Distributors and Financial Services professionals looking to establish and operate funds in both the UK & Europe. Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (Company number 635185) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited.

    About AllianceBernstein (AB)

    AllianceBernstein L.P., parent company of AllianceBernstein Limited, is a leading investment-management firm with $568 billion in client assets under management, as of April 30, 2019. AB offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional, high-net-worth and retail investors, in major world markets.

    AB’s investment capabilities span diverse asset classes, investment styles and geographic markets. They include: Luxembourg-domiciled global, regional and sector-specific equity funds; multi-asset and alternative funds; and fixed-income strategies that encompass the entire risk/reward spectrum.

    In Europe AB’s asset management operation, has 12 offices in 11 countries offering high conviction equity funds and specialist fixed-income strategies, liquid alternatives and multi asset solutions to institutional investors, discretionary wealth managers and financial advisers.

    AllianceBernstein Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Its Registered Office is at 50 Berkeley Street, London, W1J 8HA. Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.alliancebernstein.com.  

  • Director appointed to Equity Trustees Fund Services in Ireland

    Deirdre O'Reilly FCA has been appointed to the position of Independent Chair of the newly established Equity Trustees business in Ireland.

    Deirdre O'Reilly FCA has been appointed to the position of Independent Chair of the newly established Equity Trustees business in Ireland.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services provides independent fund governance, risk and compliance, product development and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, London and now Dublin.

    “This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of one of the newest providers of a comprehensive range of UCITS Management Company and Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) services to domestic and international investment managers, distributors and financial professionals,” Ms O’Reilly said.

    Deirdre brings a significant level of expertise to the Board as an independent director, having previously worked for the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), where she was responsible for the commencement of the Policy and Risk Unit within the Investment Firms and Fund Services Division, and led implementations of the online reporting and online authorisation systems. Prior to the CBI, she was at PwC, and is also a course presenter at the Irish Management Institute.

    “Deirdre’s experience and expertise in compliance, risk and corporate governance strengthens our ability to grow our business and provide fiduciary services to domestic and global fund managers,” said Harvey Kalman, Global Head of Equity Trustees Fund Services.

    Managing Director of Equity Trustees, Mick O’Brien, added: “On behalf of Equity Trustees, we congratulate Deirdre on her appointment and welcome her to our business. I look forward to her contribution to our growth story which began in Australia 130 years ago and now begins a chapter in Dublin.”

    Deirdre holds a Bachelor of Science from University College of Dublin, and is also a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), a Licentiate of the Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland and a member of the Institute of Banking in Ireland.

    More about Equity Trustees Fund Services available at www.equitytrustees.com

     Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    +61 3 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees, the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited, was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) was established in January 2017. Through our Independent Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) and Management Company services we offer a comprehensive range of UCITS and AIFMD fund services to International and domestic Investment Managers, Distributors and Financial Services professionals looking to establish and operate funds in both the UK & Europe. Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (Company number 635185) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited. This media release has been prepared to provide you with general information only.

  • Equity Trustees Appoints Australian Fund Services Lead

    As Equity Trustees prepares the Fund Services division of the company for growth offshore, the business has promoted industry veteran Russell Beasley to Head of Fund Services Australia.

    As Equity Trustees prepares the Fund Services division of the company for growth offshore, the business has promoted industry veteran Russell Beasley to Head of Fund Services Australia.  

    Russell joined Equity Trustees in 2005 and has been an integral part of the success of the Corporate Trustee and Fund Services division. Prior to this appointment he was General Manager of Relationships and Oversight in the market leading division of Equity Trustees.

    “Russell has nearly four decades of experience in the financial services industry having held senior positions both in investment management and retail banking – but he has distinguished himself at Equity Trustees with his capacity to manage the full range of operational responsibilities related to creating an outstanding responsible entity service, as well as managing key relationships with some of our largest Australian and international clients,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate and trustee Services and Global Head of Fund Services.

    “In addition, more recently Russell has spent time on secondment as the company-wide Chief Risk Officer and led the project for the highly successful listing of a major listed investment trust (LIT) structure on the ASX. There are few people in the industry with his depth of experience and expertise,” Mr Kalman said.

    Equity Trustees has recently established itself offshore, with an office in London following the acquisition of the majority share of a UK-based funds governance business, and the establishment of an office in Dublin earlier in 2019.  Those offices are led by James Gardner and Kevin Lavery respectively, providing Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) services to UK funds and Management Company Services to Irish and European funds.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services provides fund governance, risk and compliance, service provider oversight, product assistance and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London and Dublin.

    More about Equity Trustees Fund Services available at www.equitytrustees.com

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager Marketing & Communications          

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Fund Services is a division of the EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) group of companies. EQT Holdings Limited is a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees Brexit-ready with transfer of Irish domiciled funds

    Equity Trustees has ensured it can maintain uninterrupted Management Company services to current Irish domiciled fund clients by transferring the Irish funds business from London to Dublin in preparation for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

    Equity Trustees has ensured it can maintain uninterrupted Management Company services to current Irish domiciled fund clients by transferring the Irish funds business from London to Dublin in preparation for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services provides a comprehensive range of UCITS Management Company and Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) services to domestic and international Investment managers in the UK.

    The new office in Dublin places Equity Trustees, already the market leader in Australia for the provision of independent Responsible Entity / trustee services, at the heart of the third largest market for Collective Investment Vehicles globally. This will provide Equity Trustees with the capability to facilitate the broader European objectives of Equity Trustees’ international fund manager clients.

    “Our Irish office will not only enable us to continue to manage our existing funds, but as a core global funds management centre, it provides a very attractive opportunity to grow our business and provide fiduciary services to domestic and global fund managers,” said Harvey Kalman, Global Head of Fund Services.

    James Gardner, Co-CEO of Fund Services in UK and Europe added: “After the establishment in 2017 of our London office, the move to Dublin is the natural next step to being able to offer a comprehensive European solution and seamless service to our current and future clients.”

    Equity Trustees Fund Services provides independent fund governance, risk and compliance, product development and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, London and now Dublin.

    More about Equity Trustees Fund Services available at www.equitytrustees.com

    Download the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    +61 3 8623 5396 / +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees, the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited, was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited (Company number 10145592) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) was established in January 2017. Through our Independent Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) and Management Company services we offer a comprehensive range of UCITS and AIFMD fund services to International and domestic Investment Managers, Distributors and Financial Services professionals looking to establish and operate funds in both the UK & Europe. Equity Trustees Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (Company number 635185) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Trustees (UK & Europe) Limited. This media release has been prepared to provide you with general information only.

  • Equity Trustees formally establishes operation in Ireland with CBI authorisation

    After a thorough application process, Equity Trustees in Ireland has been authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) to operate as a management company for Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFM).

    After a thorough application process, Equity Trustees in Ireland has been authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) to operate as a management company for Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFM).

    In the UK, Equity Trustees currently provides Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) services to UK funds and Management Company Services to Irish funds, with the latter being operated via the European Union passporting mechanism.

    The new office location in Dublin places Equity Trustees, already the market leader in Australia for independent Responsible Entity / trustee services, at the heart of the third largest market for Collective Investment Vehicles (CIV’s) globally.

    “Part of our global strategy is to expand into Europe.  Provision of independent management company services in Europe is a key part of our strategy to enable us to provide fiduciary services to our client base and be agnostic on the location of the fund,” said group Managing Director, Mick O’Brien.

    Authorisation by the CBI and establishment of the Irish office ensures Equity Trustees can continue to provide independent management company solutions for our existing Irish funds following any Brexit outcome. The Dublin office is led by Kevin Lavery, Co-CEO of Fund Services UK and Europe.

    “Our Irish office will not only enable us to continue to manage our existing funds, but as a core global funds management centre, it provides a very attractive opportunity to grow our business and provide fiduciary services to domestic and global fund managers,” said Harvey Kalman, Global Head of Fund Services.

    Equity Trustees Fund Services provides fund governance, risk and compliance, service provider oversight, product assistance and regulatory reporting services to investment managers, from locations in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London and now Dublin.

    *Representatives from Equity Trustees in the UK and the US will be in Australia for a series of Global Strategy briefings for fund managers (Melbourne 1 & 2 April, Sydney 4 & 5 April).

    Download the full Media Release 


    Media are invited to attend the session in Sydney on Thursday 4 April 2019  (12.15pm – 2pm). Separate interviews can be arranged outside this session presentation time.

    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager – Marketing & Communications      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, new York, London and Dublin.

  • Equity Trustees adds Head of Risk and Superannuation Strategy to growing Superannuation Trustee Office

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has appointed Justin Watts to the newly created position of Head of Risk and Superannuation Strategy in its expanding national Superannuation Trustee Office (STO).

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has appointed Justin Watts to the newly created position of Head of Risk and Superannuation Strategy in its expanding national Superannuation Trustee Office (STO).

    “Justin brings exceptional knowledge and experience of prudential supervision across businesses in the superannuation, insurance and banking sectors, having spent more than seven years at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA),” said Mark Blair, Executive General Manager of the Superannuation Trustee Office.

    The STO is currently growing to meet increasing demand, recently launching a recruitment campaign and making a number of senior appointments, including David Warren in client relationship management, and Sue Everingham to the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board.

     “In a heightened risk environment, the role of a super trustee is amplified because of its responsibility of looking out for the best interests of hundreds of thousands of members investing in superannuation for their retirement. It makes sense that Australia’s leading specialist trustee, with 130 years of trustee experience, is so well placed to serve this very important specialist area of trusteeship in superannuation,” Mr Blair said.

    Justin was at APRA from 2012, moving from analyst roles into leadership in the team focussed on supervisory activities across a range of APRA regulated industries including superannuation, insurance and banking. Prior to APRA he held a management position at the Endeavour Foundation. He has a Master of Applied Finance, BA (Commerce) and BA (International Business).

    “We congratulate Justin on his appointment and welcome him to Equity Trustees, where his strong experience in risk management and governance, and deep understanding of regulatory and compliance in superannuation will further strengthen our service to members,” Mr Blair concluded.

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing & Communications    

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees finalises acquisition of Zurichs Australian superannuation trustee

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, announced on 25 February 2019 that it had signed an agreement with Zurich Australia to purchase its superannuation trustee, Zurich Australian Superannuation Pty Ltd (ZAS).  Equity Trustees is pleased to announce that the transaction completed today. 

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, announced on 25 February 2019 that it had signed an agreement with Zurich Australia to purchase its superannuation trustee, Zurich Australian Superannuation Pty Ltd (ZAS).  Equity Trustees is pleased to announce that the transaction completed today. 

    ZAS is the superannuation trustee for the Zurich Master Superannuation Fund, which has approximately $1bn in funds under trusteeship and 18,000 members across traditional, accumulation and pension products.

     Download the ASX Announcement


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                              Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                         +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees brings global expertise to Aussie fund managers’ doorstep

    The total funds invested in Australia of around A$3.5 trillion (A$2.7 trillion in retirement funds and approximately A$1.5bn in fund structures) pales in comparison to some global investment markets.

    The total funds invested in Australia of around A$3.5 trillion (A$2.7 trillion in retirement funds and approximately A$1.5bn in fund structures) pales in comparison to some global investment markets.

    Two of the countries that lead the world as centres for collective investment vehicles are Luxembourg and Ireland. Luxembourg alone has around €6 trillion in collective investment vehicles, while Ireland has €2.5 trillion.

    Europe has among the most sophisticated investment structures and regulations in the world and there is much Australia can learn from the models used overseas to provide investor protection and build vibrant, secure investment structures.

    Equity Trustees has recently taken steps to expand offshore into the UK and Europe (via Ireland) to serve growing demand by fund managers to operate globally.

    Just days after the Brexit deadline, our representatives from our UK/Europe and US offices are arriving in Australia to share updates around global topics in relation to these highly attractive – but sometimes complex - markets.

    • Brexit – What happens now? And what does it mean for funds management in the UK and the European Union?
    • How Australian fund managers can expand into Asia via UCITS structures
    • Why expand investment products into Cayman Islands, London, Dublin or Luxembourg

    Speaker Bios included when downloading Media Release:

    • Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services & Global Head of Fund Services
    • James Gardner, Co-CEO, Fund Services (UK and Europe)
    • Rob Harrison, US Representative, Fund Services

    Download Media Release

    Media welcome to attend the session in Sydney on Thursday 4 April 2019  (12.15pm – 2pm). Separate interviews can be arranged outside this session presentation time.


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing & Communications    

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Corporate Trustee Services is provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 which is a subsidiary  of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615),  a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees releases report on $87 Million of giving

    Leading trustee provider of philanthropic funding, Equity Trustees, today released a much-anticipated report containing analysis of $87 million of philanthropic granting and bequests overseen by the Company in the 2018 financial year.

    australia’s leading SPECIALIST trustee company releases first annual giving review

    • $87 million total grants and bequests in financial year 2018
    • $76 million total grants from charitable trusts; $11 million in bequests
    • More than 3,000 grants made
    • 190 grants over $100,000 to not for profits and charities
    • Largest discretionary grant - $1.5 million

    Leading trustee provider of philanthropy funding, Equity Trustees, today released a much-anticipated report containing analysis of $87 million of philanthropic granting and bequests overseen by the Company in the 2018 financial year.

    “For generations Australians have been creating and leaving philanthropic legacies that Equity Trustees has had the privilege and honour of stewarding through changing times.” said the Hon Jeffrey Kennett AC, Chairman, Equity Trustees.

    “Many, through their generosity are ‘living forever’, assisting people and institutions of their choosing. This report shares the stories of many philanthropists, past and present, and highlights the impact their perpetual giving has achieved and continues to achieve. I am full of admiration for the many people and for-purpose organisations who we have partnered with to unlock the value of those funds to make a real and lasting difference to our community.”

    “The report tells some of the most compelling stories we could find of collaboration between for-purpose organisations and funders towards achieving shared outcomes." 

    Examples include:

    • supporting the creation of out of home care funding groups who work with young people and are campaigning to increase the age limit on out of home care,
    • working with key funders of Aboriginal organisations,
    • catalysing start-up social enterprises supporting solutions for ageing Australians,
    • empowering grass roots climate action project funding,
    • medical research, and so much more.

    The Annual Giving Review sets out, with detail rarely shared, how Equity Trustees continues to evolve its giving, and the journey it is are taking towards mapping, measuring and communicating how it is deepening impact through philanthropic funding. It sets out a blueprint for how Equity Trustees measures impact in the company’s four key focus areas:

    1. Children and young people
    2. Ageing and aged care
    3. Medical research and health
    4. Animals and environment

    Managing Director, Mick O’Brien, said: “Equity Trustees has the remarkable privilege of being a company with a purpose through the generosity of our clients, to create positive social change.

    “We have an incredibly dedicated, experienced team of philanthropy professionals who, every day, manage more than 650 charitable trusts, make thousands of granting decisions, and help hundreds of people make philanthropy a core part of their life.

    “We are proud of the impact we are making in the community through delivering on our responsibility as a leading provider of charitable funds in Australia, and through our partnerships with the for-purpose sector. Philanthropy is one of our key strengths and is fundamental to Equity Trustees’ ability to deliver on one of our four strategic targets for the overall company – to deepen community impact,” he said.

    The report can be viewed at www.eqt.com.au/givingreview

    Download Media Release


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    General Manager Marketing & Communications 

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298, AFSL 240975) and Equity Trustee Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332, AFSL 234528), both companies are part of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT)

  • EQT Holdings Limited appoints Deputy to Chairman Jeff Kennett AC

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced it has appointed non executive director James (Jim) Minto as Deputy Chair of the Board.

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced it has appointed non executive director James (Jim) Minto as Deputy Chair of the Board.

    “Jim brought outstanding credentials to Equity Trustees when he was appointed to the Board in March 2017,” said Jeff Kennett AC, Chairman.

    “He has had an impressive career in financial services with many decades of experience in senior leadership roles and company directorships. As Deputy Chair, Jim will support me, ensuring that the Board continues to aspire to excellence in governance standards, the welfare of all our staff, and act in the best interests of all our customers and stakeholders, and stand in for me as required.

    “Jim has brought his particular expertise in trusteeship and understands from experience how to grow shareholder value while also maintaining a healthy corporate culture and excellent client service,” said Mr Kennett.

    Jim is currently Chair of the EQT Board Risk Committee and a member of the Board Audit Committee.

    Prior to joining Equity Trustees, his career included more than 30 years in senior roles with the TOWER group, one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading life insurance groups; he was appointed as Managing Director of the group and to Board of Dai-ichi Life Asia Pacific (Singapore) after they acquired TOWER Australia (now TAL) in 2011. Jim was formerly Chair of the Australian Superannuation Funds of Australia and The Trustee Corporations Association of New Zealand and currently serves on the Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency.

    “On behalf of the Board, I congratulate Jim on his appointment and thank him for taking on this role,” Mr Kennett concluded.

    Download the full ASX Announcement here


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                                         Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                              Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                                 +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees appoints Sue Everingham to Super Board

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has appointed Sue Everingham as a director to the Board of Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL).

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has appointed Sue Everingham as a director to the Board of Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL).

    “In an increasingly heightened risk environment, where demand for our specialist trustee services is increasing, Equity Trustees continues to appoint the most experienced, highly skilled people to ensure we can carry out our trustee obligations to the highest standards,” said Tony Lally, Chairman, ETSL Board. 

    Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said: “Sue has outstanding credentials for this appointment, as a lawyer who practices in superannuation, investments and financial services law, with specific experience in the unique area of superannuation trusteeship and more than 25 years’ experience at executive management and Board level.”

    Mr O’Brien added that this appointment follows a series of senior appointments which play an integral part of the superannuation trustee service area of the business, including David Warren (senior client manager) and Owen Brailsford as Chief Risk Officer.

    Sue joins fellow independent directors Catherine Robson, Ellis Varejes and Tony Lally (Chairman), along with executive directors Mark Blair (Executive General Manager, Superannuation Trustee Office) and Mick O'Brien.

    Sue was the Head of the Office of Trustee, Wealth Management Division at the Commonwealth Bank, and is currently a consultant with law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. She has held senior positions in the tax, investments and superannuation practices areas of a number of leading national law firms as well as roles with BT Financial Group, Ashurst, Mercer, Hunt and Hunt, Malleson Stephen Jacques (now King and Wood Mallesons) and the ATO.

    Sue is currently a non executive director of Hannover Life Re Australasia Limited and Destination Southern NSW Ltd. She was previously a non executive director of the Commonwealth Bank Group Super Fund, where she was also chair of the Risk and Audit Committee (2010 – 2013).

    She holds a Masters of Taxation (LLM), Bachelor of Economics and Law and is an admitted solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and ACT, and admitted barrister of the Supreme Court of the ACT. Sue is a qualified CPA and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

    “Sue joins a team proud to be entrusted with the responsibility and oversight of so many superannuation funds where Equity Trustees has been chosen as an independent trustee to look out for member interests. We congratulate Sue on her appointment and look forward to working with her on the ETSL Board,” Mr Lally concluded.


    Download the full Media Release here


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757), AFSL 229757, RSE L0001458, is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.


  • Equity Trustees to acquire Zurich's Australian superannuation trustee

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced it had signed an agreement with Zurich Australia to purchase its superannuation trustee, Zurich Australian Superannuation Pty Limited (ZAS).

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced it had signed an agreement with Zurich Australia to purchase its superannuation trustee, Zurich Australian Superannuation Pty Limited (ZAS).

    ZAS is the superannuation trustee for the Zurich Master Superannuation Fund, which has approximately $1bn in funds under trusteeship and 18,000 members across traditional, accumulation and pension products.

    The acquisition will expand Equity Trustees’ superannuation business, and cement its position as the leading provider of specialist independent superannuation trustee services in Australia.

    ZAS will be acquired for $6.2 million, funded from existing liquidity and debt facilities. The purchase price approximates net assets, which is essentially cash, meaning the net funding impact will be immaterial once the cash is used to repay the short term funding requirement.

    “With 130 years’ experience as a specialist trustee, Equity Trustees will ensure the trustee responsibilities safeguarding the interests of Fund members are maintained at the highest standards, which includes looking for ways to improve member outcomes,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director.

    “We appreciate that 18,000 members have their current and future retirement hopes invested in this Fund and we look forward to being the trustee of the Fund.

     “The acquisition strengthens our existing relationship with Zurich, and is an example of the growing demand in the superannuation sector to establish structural independence and reduce the possibility of conflicts of interest via use of an independent external trustee,” Mr O’Brien said.

    The acquisition is subject to certain conditions precedent. Completion is expected next month (March 2019), and subsequently it is intended that the trustee role for the Fund will be transferred from ZAS to Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited, our existing Registrable Superannuation Entity (RSE) licensee holder and specialist superannuation trustee provider.

    Download the full ASX Announcement here


    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                                         Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                              Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                                 +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees Strong Performance Continues

    Profit and dividends lift in December half as new growth opportunities emerge

    PROFIT and DIVIDENDs LIFT IN DECEMBER HALF As NEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES EMERGE

    • Net profit after tax attributable to shareholders up 17.3% to $11.2 million
    • Basic earnings per share up 16.1% to 55.13 cents
    • Dividend per share up 4 cents (10%) to 44 cents per share
    • Pre-tax operating cash flow up 28.6%
    • Balance sheet remains strong, with debt reduced by 20%
    • Equity Trustees’ specialist trustee model aligns to the broad themes and findings of the Royal Commission, and provides further opportunities

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced another strong result with net profit after tax attributable to shareholders up 17.3% to $11.2 million for the half year to 31 December 2018.

    Revenue increased 7.2% to $46.3 million while expenses were contained to a 3.0% increase. Funds under management, administration and supervision were down slightly to $77 billion, principally reflecting the market downturn.

    Chairman Jeff Kennett said it was a strong result that demonstrated the success of EQT’s business model.

    “The longstanding focus of Equity Trustees on trust and governance is standing us in good stead in the current financial services environment,” he said.

    “The industry upheaval is favouring our business model, and the Royal Commission findings are aligned with our strategy.

    “This is an excellent result for shareholders, but also delivers for all our stakeholders.”

    Managing Director Mick O’Brien said the combination of organic growth and expansion through acquisitions and partnerships was underpinning the group’s consistent performance.

    “Our Australian businesses performed well, and our Ireland expansion program is on track, winning some significant clients and showing improving growth in the UK and Ireland,” he said.

    “Our strategy to focus on being Australia’s leading specialist trustee company is delivering and we are making good progress on all of our T4 targets, which track our performance in terms of clients, employees, shareholders and the community.

    “The outlook is encouraging for the remainder of FY19 and beyond, with attractive industry fundamentals and a substantial and growing pipeline of opportunities, noting that volatility in investment markets will to continue to have an effect on earnings.

    “The challenge now is to ensure we have the resources and capability to manage that growth, so we are selectively increasing our investment in people and technology to achieve this.

    “Our specialisation in fiduciary services, combined with targeted investment for the future, ensure that EQT remains well positioned for continued growth.”

    Download the full ASX Announcement here


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 to provide independent and impartial trustee and executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees offers a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and responsible entity services for external fund managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies. EQT Holdings Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) and has offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                                         Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                              Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                                 +61 3 8623 5133

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                               pgentry@eqt.com.au

  • Equity Trustees expands Superannuation Trustee Office with new senior appointment

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has appointed a new senior client management professional to its expanding national Superannuation Trustee Office.

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees has appointed a new senior client management professional to its expanding national Superannuation Trustee Office.

    Based in Melbourne, the latest appointment further strengthens the depth of experience in the complex area of superannuation trusteeship – the role with primary responsibility to look after member interests and provide oversight of superannuation funds.

    David Warren joined Equity Trustees in February and brings 30 years’ experience in wealth management and life insurance, as well as experience in Board directorships and trustee positions. His background includes roles at AustralianSuper, AMP – where he held roles responsible for product development and management and insurance, and AXA.

     “Demand for our independent superannuation trustee is growing steadily and David’s experience in management of a diverse range of large scale funds and products, as well as his experience in the management of underlying investment functions is an excellent addition to our expanding team,” said Mark Blair, General Manager of the Superannuation Trustee Office.

    “In addition, he has excellent working knowledge and experience working within the relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks and understands the requirements of all parties involved in managing superannuation funds prudently. These are essential qualities for a superannuation trustee in recognition of our critical role in ensuring integrity and trust in the system and protection for the millions of people who have their current and future retirement hopes invested in it.

    David is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

    “We are delighted to have secured someone of David’s experience and welcome him to Equity Trustees,” Mr Blair concluded.

    Download the full Media Release here


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees appointed trustee and RE to Federation Alternative Assets Trust

    Federation Asset Management (Federation) has appointed Australia’s market leading independent funds governance specialists, Equity Trustees, to act as trustee and responsible entity of the Federation Alternative Assets Trust.

    Federation Asset Management (Federation) has appointed Australia’s market leading independent funds governance specialists, Equity Trustees, to act as trustee and responsible entity of the Federation Alternative Assets Trust.

    Launching in September last year, the investment firm has their sights set on being on Asia-Pacific’s leading investor in renewable energy, health, education, real estate and companies with strong growth potential.

    “As a new firm, with plans to invest in innovative growth areas, they need to put all their focus into building the investment strategy and the business and reaching out to investors that share their vision,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees.

    The fund targets three asset classes – private equity, real estate and renewable energy. Investors have the flexibility to invest within or across asset classes.

    Since opening their doors in September 2018, Federation has seen strong interest from both domestic and offshore investors: “We bring together significant capability and experience in sourcing and managing investments in areas we believe in, as well as being smart investment choices,” said Cameron Brownjohn, Chief Executive Officer, Federation.

    “Ultimately our vision is to use our skills and expertise to not only generate strong returns for our investors, but also help grow the production of clean energy, to build a better community and to improve the health, education and living conditions of future generations,” he said.

    Mr Kalman concluded: “With 20 years’ experience, Equity Trustees takes care of the compliance and regulatory work, bringing an enhanced capability to ensure  the trust is launched smoothly and within the required legal and regulatory framework, so that investors who choose Federation can have the certainty that their investment is secure and appropriately supervised. We’re excited to be partnering with Federation and their vision.”

    Download the full Media Release here


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. Estate planning services are provided by EQT Legal Services Pty Ltd (ABN 32 611 391 149). Estate and Trust Administration services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 and Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) AFSL 234528. These companies are part of the EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) group of companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.


  • Get your paperwork in order for 2019

    The annual new year clean out and declutter is well under way – and Australia’s leading specialist company Equity Trustees is recommending that everyone includes a tidy-up of some key paperwork in the process.

    The annual new year clean out and declutter is well under way – and Australia’s leading specialist trustee company Equity Trustees is recommending that everyone includes a tidy-up of some key paperwork in the process.

    “With 130 years’ experience of managing people’s estates and estate planning, we can say for sure that getting your Will and estate plan up-to-date will make you feel more organised and in charge of your 2019,” said Stephen Hardy, National Manager of Estate Planning for Equity Trustees.

    “Even better – it is something you can and should leave in the hands of a specialist in this area – so you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting, you just need to be clear about a few key things before your appointment with your estate planning  lawyer and they will do the rest.”

    The main estate planning documents you need to make sure are up-to-date include your Will and powers of attorney. These will contain your instructions including who you appoint as executor, nominating guardians if you have children,  how your assets should be distributed, and who will make decisions if you lose capacity.

    “The main thing is to ensure your documents are up to date, legally valid, and reflect your current family and financial circumstances,” said Mr Hardy. “Things change over a year – now is the time to reflect on what that might mean for your estate plan.

    “And if you don’t have at least a valid current Will, you should get one. If you have children, a superannuation fund, own a house or any other assets, then you need to have a Will. Getting your Will is not something you should postpone – you never know when it might be needed. Your family will thank you for being organised if they are in the unfortunate circumstances of losing you – they will already have a lot to deal with if that happens,” he said.

    Mr Hardy urged everyone to make an appointment with an estate planning lawyer – and make the most of the appointment by preparing with the following five questions in mind:

    1.         Who should benefit (and why)?

    Determine who you want to leave something to – and those you don’t want to leave anything to. Think about who you are responsible for, financially or otherwise.  

    2.         Who to appoint?

    Decide who you want to appoint to specific roles, including executor of the Will, and any powers of attorney, and have a conversation with them. Have a ‘back up’ plan if they can’t or won’t do it

    3.         Who gets what?

    List your assets (and liabilities) – especially the (financially or emotionally) important ones. A list also helps your executor know where and what everything is. 

    4.         What’s changed in the past 12 months?

    Review any changes that have occurred in the past year, and ask your adviser if it means you need to update your Will. 

    5.         Are my  documents in order?

    Make sure all your documentation is accessible. This includes bank accounts, mortgage and insurance information, trust deeds, birth, marriage and divorce certificates, superannuation, and details of any investments.

    “If you can give some thought to these five questions, you will be well prepared. Once your documents are completed and up to date, you get peace of mind that your documents are legally valid, current and will do what you need them to do, and your family is secure knowing that you have taken care of things.

    “That’s a great start to the year,” Mr Hardy concluded.

    Download the full Media Release here


    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. Estate planning services are provided by EQT Legal Services Pty Ltd (ABN 32 611 391 149). Estate and Trust Administration services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298) AFSL 240975 and Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) AFSL 234528. These companies are part of the EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) group of companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.


  • Equity Trustees appoints new Chief Risk Officer

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees today announced the appointment of Owen Brailsford as Chief Risk Officer.
    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees today announced the appointment of Owen Brailsford as Chief Risk Officer.

    Owen commences at Equity Trustees in February 2019 and was selected following a rigorous recruitment process to ensure the company found the best match to oversee the critical risk and compliance function for the independent trustee.

    He previously led the Risk and Compliance team at Australia’s largest corporate superannuation fund, TelstraSuper.

    “Owen brings 20 years of international experience in risk management and regulatory roles in the superannuation, pensions and insurance industries,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director.

    As at 30 June 2018 Equity Trustees had more than $86 billion of funds under management, administration or supervision as a professional trustee. This ranges from trusts for individuals and families, charities, indigenous communities, corporates and fund managers and superannuation funds.

    “With trust central to our success, Owen’s experience will be integral to ensuring we maintain the highest standards of risk and compliance across all of our services. This is even more important in today’s heightened risk environment across all sections of the financial services industry,” Mr O’Brien said. 

    Owen’s background includes roles at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), Prudential PLC and RSA Insurance (both UK) and a risk management advisory role at KPMG.

    Download the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications         

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • EQT Holdings Ltd Announces new Board Director:
    Tim Hammon

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new non-executive director Tim Hammon, effective 1 December 2018.

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new non-executive director Tim Hammon, effective 1 December 2018.

    EQT Chairman Jeff Kennett said: “Tim comes to Equity Trustees with an excellent mix of experience aligned with the responsibilities that come with being on the Board of a 130 year old Australian company which was built on a foundation of trust.”

    Mr Hammon was the CEO of Mutual Trust Pty Ltd, from 2007 to 2017, building the business to become a leading Australian multi-family office servicing high net worth clients, and prior to that, in leadership positions with Coles Myer Ltd for 11 years. He began his career in law with Mallesons Stephen Jaques and was a partner at the firm for 12 years (1984 – 1996) after graduating in law and commerce at the University of Melbourne.

    He has held Board positions with not for profit organisations, the Abbotsford Convent Foundation and St Catherine’s School and is an Ambassador for the fund raising campaign for the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery. Mr Hammon is currently on the Board of shopping centre development company Vicinity Centres, a listed REIT.

    “The mix of commercial, not for profit, and legal expertise will strengthen and diversify the experience around the Board table of Equity Trustees and support the development of Australia’s leading specialist trustee company.”

    Mr Kennett said Mr Hammon’s appointment to the EQT Board is part of the Company’s structured approach to Board succession and planning, and integral to EQT’s strategy as Australia’s leading specialist trustee company.

    Download the Full ASX Announcement 


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing and Communications

    +61 403 172 024

    AKokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                         Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                 Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                   +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                             pgentry@eqt.com.au

  • Viertel Foundation Awards $3.75M in Three Medical Fellowships

    $3.75 million has been awarded to three mid-career Australian researchers through the prestigious annual Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships in association with Bellberry.

    funding australian talent and innovation in medical science

    $3.75 million has been awarded to three mid-career Australian researchers through the prestigious annual Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships in association with Bellberry.

    In 2018 the grants will support projects in immunology therapies to fight cancers and disease, and measures to transform the health of Aboriginal young people.

    The 2018 Senior Medical Research Fellows are:

    1. Dr Kim Jacobson, Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute
    2. Dr Laura Mackay, University of Melbourne, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute)
    3. Associate Professor James Ward, South Australian Health and Medical Science Institute and Flinders University, Adelaide

    (See following pages for details on each)

    Jodi Kennedy, General Manager of Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, said Equity Trustees valued the partnership with fellow trustees Justice Debra Mullins (Chair), Rex Freudenberg, and Paul de Silva: “We are committed to supporting the objectives of the Viertel Foundation, and honoured to be a trustee of one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations which distributes around $8 million annually.

    “It is a privilege to work with our fellow trustees. Some of them knew and worked with Charles Viertel until he passed away in 1992, leaving this Trust to continue to support the causes he cared so much about during his life,” Ms Kennedy said.

    Each Fellow will receive $1.25 million ($250,000 per year for five years) to support the critical work of Australia’s most outstanding mid-career researchers and continue the development of their expertise.  For the third year, Bellberry Limited has funded an additional joint Bellberry-Viertel Fellowship to the same value.

    Of the two Viertel Fellowships funded directly by the Foundation, one is awarded to a woman and one to a man as part of the Foundation’s commitment to encouraging excellence and gender equality in the fields of medical and scientific research.

    Professor Peter Leedman, Chairman of the Viertel Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board, revealed that the 2018 candidates were a very strong and closely matched high quality field representing very different disciplines, making the decision of selecting three from the six finalists extremely challenging.

    “We really saw the depth and breadth of scientific research in Australia and it was truly inspiring. Every candidate is worthy of support for their research into areas which will have a critical impact on advancing health outcomes for Australians and the world,” he said.

    Bellberry CEO, Kylie Sproston said: “There are relatively few opportunities like this in Australia – offering stability for a research endeavour for five years. If we want to have a vibrant future for medical research in Australia, we need to provide grants that support mid-career researchers to build their teams and deliver the outcomes they are working so hard to achieve – whether it’s a new approach to cancer therapies or interventions to get better health outcomes for our First Australians.”

    “This Foundation is a classic example of the power of philanthropy to fund incredibly worthwhile initiatives that have a real impact on our community,” concluded Ms Kennedy.

    In addition, five clinical investigation scholarships were awarded, each of $85,000 for one year to:

    1. Dr Claudia de Bella (University of Melbourne)
    2. Dr Gareth Gregory (Monash University)
    3. Dr Piero Perucca (Monash University)
    4. Dr Charlotte Slade (Melbourne Health)
    5. Dr Craig Wallington-Beddoe (Flinders University)

    Click the link for more about the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation and Bellberry.

     Download the Full Media Release here

     Download the Fellowship Research Summaries and Candidate Background document here


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing & Communications   

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, including Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) AFSL 234528. EQT is a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees Enables Native Title Group To Take On $5M Far West Coast Community Trust

    Equity Trustees and The Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation today announced that trusteeship of a Native Title Trust established in 2010 will be handed over to the local Aboriginal corporation’s subsidiary company Far West Coast Investments Pty Ltd.

    Equity Trustees enables native title group to take on $5m far west coast community trust

    Equity Trustees and The Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation today announced that trusteeship of a Native Title Trust established in 2010 will be handed over to the local Aboriginal corporation’s subsidiary company Far West Coast Investments Pty Ltd.

    It is a clear acknowledgment by Equity Trustees that Far West Coast Investments has now has built the capacity and expertise to manage the Trust and the trustee obligations through their successful management of the economic development initiatives and other trustee services on behalf of the Far West Coast Peoples.

    Both organisations worked together to make it possible, culminating in Equity Trustees signing the Deed of Retirement as trustee of the Far West Coast Community Trust and appointing  Far West Coast Investments as the new trustee.

    The Far West Community Trust was established from the Iluka mine to alleviate the poverty, distress and misfortune of the members of the Far West Coast community. This is the first time the Trust will be fully controlled and managed by the community it was set up to benefit.

    Equity Trustees will remain connected to the Trust, providing trustee support and advice to ensure a smooth transition, and assisting the new Trustee manage their investment portfolios.

    ”This development sets up the Native Title group to manage two charitable trusts established to benefit the Far West Coast peoples empowering the community to have greater control of Trustee processes and the future of their community,” explained Ian Westley, Executive General Manager, Trustee and Wealth Services, Equity Trustees..

    “We look forward to continuing to work with the new trustee to ensure the native title benefits are invested in the best possible way to ensure this community is set up to maintain self-sufficiency beyond the life of the mine and receipt of other native title benefits,” he said.

    This development will enable the organisation to build a more diversified and sustainable financial future.

    Gavin Peel, Chairman of the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation said: “It’s a great milestone for the Far West Coast Community Trust – and for Equity Trustees. Our organisation will now manage all our trusts in-house. I thank our CEO Ljuba Mojovic, Equity Trustees and Far West Coast Investments for this result which will deliver a better outcome for the community.”

    Mr Mojovic added: “It’s a fantastic outcome for the group which will deliver an increase in funds available as a consequence of the reduction of management costs and rebalancing of the investment portfolios to create additional revenues.”

    “I acknowledge the amazing work done by Equity Trustees in growing the Trust and look forward to our continued relationship. This is a great outcome that will enable the corporation to be more sustainable and distribute more assistance through the charitable programs for the sole benefit of our members.”

    April Lawrie, Chairperson of the new trustee, Far West Coast Investments added: “Far West Coast Investments is pleased to be appointed. It will help us acquire new skills and grow as a diversified investments organisation. We thank both our shareholder and Equity Trustees for their support.”

        Download the Full Media Release here


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing & Communications   

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, including Equity Trustees Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332) AFSL 234528. EQT is a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

    Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation

    Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC manages the Far West Coast land, recognised in law (a Determination) as belonging to the Far West Coast Peoples in the Federal Court Determination for Native Title on the 5th of December, 2013. The Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation is one of South Australia’s most progressive Aboriginal Corporations with a 9b Agreement with Iluka Resources, the mining company that operates the Jacinth Ambrosia mine. The corporation owns a portfolio of trusts and companies that it manages for the benefit of its membership of over 1500 members. More information on www.fwcac.org.au


  • Equity Trustees Commits $750, 000 Over 3 Years to NGV Kids

    The Equity Trustees managed Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust, has committed $750,000 over the next three years to the NGV Kids program which provides the link between major National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) exhibitions and young culture vultures.


    GRANT  ANNOUNCEMENT: TRUBY AND FLORENCE WILLIAMS CHARITABLE TRUST

    The Equity Trustees managed Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust, has committed $750,000 over the next three years to the NGV Kids program which provides the link between major National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) exhibitions and young culture vultures.

    This new commitment builds on the Trust’s initial funding in 2013 of $1.95m over five years towards the development of NGV Kids. This transformative funding supported the establishment of the NGV’s permanent children’s gallery space, dedicated children’s programs and curatorial staff, the publication of fourteen children’s art books, the popular Art Party event for teens, as well as commissioning thirteen major exhibitions for families and young people, including the upcoming Julian Opie: Studio for Kids.

    “When he died in 1941, Truby left an estate valued at more than £400,000,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees. “Half of the net estate was used to establish the Trust, which has been managed by Equity Trustees since and is now worth $19 million, and continues to this day distributing its income to a variety of Victorian organisations, including the NGV program.”

    NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM said: “The NGV Kids program has provided unique accessibility to the arts for many Victorian children and this new commitment ensures that we can continue this incredible work. Since 2013, the number of children visiting the gallery has increased by 35%, with 314,305 children visiting the gallery with their families in the last financial year, and we are excited to welcome even more young people into the Gallery in the future.

    “High-impact grants from the Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust and Felton Bequest support inspiring cultural change and provide an enormous benefit to the arts and the wider community,” Mr Ellwood said.

    Born in 1866 in Melbourne, Ernest Edward Truby Williams was an investor who spent most of his time travelling throughout Australia and overseas. He kept a meticulous log-book of all his travels, from Florence in 1897 (the same year he married his wife, also named Florence) to India in 1937, by which time he was 71 years old.

    “Aside from his obvious passion for travel, Truby was also keenly interested in the arts and the burgeoning field of motor vehicle technology,” explained Ms Kennedy. “He also left money to the University of Melbourne, five Melbourne public hospitals, two technical colleges and an aged care home.

    “Our role as executor and trustee was to ensure his wishes were carried out and the intent he had for his legacy continues forever.”

    The Trust is one of more than 600 managed by Equity Trustees, which distributes a combined total of between $70 million and $80 million annually to charitable causes and programs.

    Managing Director Mick O’Brien said: “The task is enormous but the privilege is even greater. Our team must understand the intentions of those who are no longer with us and distribute grants accordingly to make the maximum impact as well as assist those who could just be the next Truby and Florence Williams to sow the seeds of their philanthropic legacy today.”

    Find out more about Truby and Florence Williams here and the NGV Kids program here.

    Download the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298, AFSL 240975) and Equity Trustee Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332, AFSL 234528), both companies are part of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT).


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  • Expert Wicking Trust panel examines the 'wicked problem' of aged care

    Experts in aged care from around Australia and New Zealand came together this week to question the “wicked problem” of aged care in light of the forthcoming Royal Commission.

    Experts in aged care from around Australia and New Zealand came together this week to question the “wicked problem” of aged care in light of the forthcoming Royal Commission.

    Managed by Equity Trustees, one of Australia’s most significant charitable trusts, the Wicking Trust, hosts an annual symposium bringing together leading researchers in the areas of dementia and ageing. This year the symposium held in Melbourne and featuring the expert panel, heard that the Royal Commission offers opportunities for aged care.

    “As a trustee with 130 years’ experience working with people as they age, we are all too aware of the vulnerability that comes with ageing,” said Ian Westley, Executive General Manager, Equity Trustees. “While we support people to control their financial assets and step in to protect their interests when they cannot, we also see just what can occur when people try to take advantage of frail aged people.

    “Equity Trustees is proud to play our role in protecting individuals where we can – but also in managing the philanthropic legacy of John and Janet Wicking. It is their generosity that make it possible for the best minds in research, dementia and ageing to come together to discuss these critical issues at the forefront of public discussion right now.”

    Panel moderator Ian Hardy said 240,000 older Australians were placed in residential aged care, and 97,500 people were in receipt of a home care package in 2016/2017, with the numbers increasing each year.

    “The Royal Commission is an opportunity for Australian society to have a conversation about what kind of aged care system we want in the future and what we are willing to pay for it,” he told the audience.

    The Royal Commission Terms of Reference have recognised the importance of building a national culture of respect for ageing and older persons.

    The panel heard issues for the Royal Commission include funding, compliance and workforce. It heard that older people would benefit from improved connections and co-ordination between State and Federal services, aged care providers, families and caregivers.

    The panel members were:

    • Ian Hardy AM, CEO of Helping Hand Aged Care in South Australia and Wicking Trust member
    • Psychogeriatrician Dr Duncan McKellar, from the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, co-author of The Oakden Report and clinical lead of the Oakden reform process for SA Health.
    • Professor Margaret O’Connor AM, Emeritus Professor of Nursing at Monash University and Wicking Trust member
    • Associate Professor Amy Brodtmann, clinical researcher at the Florey Institute and Wicking Trust member; and
    • Professor John Braithwaite, founder of the Regulatory Institutions Network (RegNet) at ANU.

    The symposium heard that aged care – in the community, in residential care and in hospital, was often fraught for families. It is difficult for the balance between the health care and social needs of elderly people to be met.

    Dr McKellar said people with complex clinical needs resulting from severe to extreme behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia may be excluded from mainstream aged care. He said he hoped the Royal Commission would understand this small but significant population have specialist needs that need to be considered in the broader service context.

    “Just because they are difficult to care for doesn’t reduce their value as people. They are someone’s mother or father,” he said.

    “As a society we share an investment in getting this right because it is our future as well”.

    Professor O’Connor said a robust system would look at the staff skill and staff mix, with a professional workforce that is responsible and accountable.

    The panel heard that the role of GPs in attending patients in residential care also needs to be examined.

    Associate Professor Brodtmann said a mix of people is needed to take care of aged people.

    “It is extremely difficult to attract people to this sector. We need to find incentives, including financial, and take away the stigma of aged care,” she said.

    Professor Braithwaite said regulation of the sector, including regular inspections, was important. He said it was hard for people to navigate a market driven system to know what quality of care was being provided. He encouraged families to consider respite care to test quality for their relatives.

    The panel agreed that a change in community attitude to aged care was needed.

    “We do need to champion a positive view of aged care and aging. We can bring about positive changes and set high standards, even for really difficult challenges like caring for the aged with dementia,” Dr McKellar said.

    The panel encouraged the Royal Commission not to focus on “how bad” aged care is, but to ask “how can we best deliver services to the elderly who require care?”

    “We should be having a national conversation about what makes for a good old age and how this can be supported until death,” Mr Hardy said.

    Download the Media Release here


    Media inquiries

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing & Communications    

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers. Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

    Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298, AFSL 240975) and Equity Trustee Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332, AFSL 234528), both companies are part of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT).

  • Equity Trustees appoints experienced Asset Management leadership

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees today announced new leadership of its in-house asset management function following a review earlier this year.

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees today announced new leadership of its in-house asset management function following a review earlier this year.

    Darren Thompson will take up the position of Head of Asset Management, and Chris Haynes the position of Head of Australian Equities, on 1 October 2018.  They will be based in Melbourne and bring decades of experience in managing large-scale portfolios and delivering excellent investment returns to clients.

    “We’re delighted to announce these appointments following a deep analysis of how Equity Trustees can deliver the best outcomes for clients who entrust us with their funds, and rely on us for income from those funds,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “Darren co-founded Northward Capital in 2007 after moving from IAG Asset Management. He brings to Equity Trustees 30 years’ experience and proven success in the evaluation, structuring and execution of investments, leveraging analytics and commercial insight to deliver excellent investment returns to clients.

    “Chris brings over 25 years’ experience in investment and portfolio management. His proven track record of consistently over benchmark results as well as his people management and team building skills ensures a positive injection of talent to our business,” Mr O’Brien said.

    The pair, who have worked together since 2013, will be responsible for the management and development of the Equity Trustees’ asset management business, responsible for $3.6 billion of FUM.  Funds are managed in a customised manner to deliver to trustee clients’ specific investment needs.

    “As a contemporary trustee company we must constantly adapt to the changing needs of our clients and markets. We have built our success over 130 years, and these appointments reflect our commitment to continue to invest in our asset management capability for the benefit of our clients,” said Mr O’Brien.

    “Equity Trustees has a long and distinguished history of focussing on client needs,” said Mr Thompson. “Chris and I are excited by the opportunity to build on these foundations and apply our expertise and performance-focus to provide bespoke investment solutions across a diverse range of client and beneficiary requirements.”

    Mr O’Brien added: “Equity Trustees has been fortunate to have committed leadership in the asset management team as we went through the review period, resulting in maintenance of portfolio performance. It provides a solid foundation for the new leadership who will bring their unique energy and outlook to the asset management team.

    “Darren and Chris bring outstanding capability and expertise to our team and I look forward to introducing them to our clients.”

    Biographies

    Darren Thompson

    Bachelor of Economics, Accounting (ANU)

    Diploma of Financial Services, Financial Markets Australian Financial Markets Association

    Diploma of Financial Planning, Kaplan

    Darren is an entrepreneurial Investment Director & Portfolio Manager with 30 years’ experience. Committed to the development of robust investment methodologies, driving targeted investment return and business growth, Darren is a performance focussed Australian equities leader who has delivered more than 11% p.a. portfolio return over the past 14 years. He arrives at Equity Trustees with broad general management skills and a proven success leading strategy, finance, operations & people management activities.

    Darren co-founded boutique investment firm Northward Capital in 2007, growing the business to a peak of ~$3billion FUM, and held the roles of CEO and CIO. Before Northward, Darren held roles at Insurance Australian Group (IAG) Limited (Co-Head of Equities), Deutsche Bank, and Burdett Buckeridge Young (BBY).

    Chris Haynes

    Bachelor of Commerce UNSW (Accounting, Finance and Systems)

    Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants

    Diploma of Financial Planning

    Chris brings over 25 years investment and portfolio experience. He has a proven track record of consistently above benchmark results for his Australian equities portfolio management as well as an impressive reputation for team building and staff motivation. This he established through a career working at Concord Capital Pty Ltd, Northward Capital Ltd, Lend Lease Pty Ltd, and Bankers Trust Australia Limited.

    Chris jointly established and managed Concord Capital Pty Ltd from inception in 1999 through to its sale in 2010. During this time, Chris managed the growth of funds under management from $100m to over $6.5 billion, delivering consistent top quartile returns above benchmark. On its sale to Invesco Australia Ltd, Chris held the position of Head of Equities/Portfolio Manager managing the Australian Equities Portfolio.

    Download the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski
    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024
    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.


  • Latest listed investment trust demonstrates renewed market interest

    The listing on the ASX this morning of Neuberger Berman’s NB Global Corporate Income Trust (ASX:NBI) is another sign of the growing popularity of listed investment trust (LIT) structures, according to Australia’s leading specialist corporate fiduciary, Equity Trustees.

    The listing on the ASX this morning of Neuberger Berman’s NB Global Corporate Income Trust (ASX:NBI) is another sign of the growing popularity of listed investment trust (LIT) structures, according to Australia’s leading specialist corporate fiduciary, Equity Trustees.

    Equity Trustees is the responsible entity and issuer of the NB Global Corporate Income Trust’s A$413 million LIT.

    The attractiveness of this particular LIT structure is that it aims to provide a regular income stream to investors while maintaining a strong emphasis on capital preservation. As the population ages and more move into retirement phase, this is an important factor when making investment choices.

    Just as critical is ensuring the independent responsible entity and issuer has the reputation investors can trust.

    “One of the benefits to investors of a LIT structure is the certainty it provides in respect of distributions – in this case paid in monthly instalments,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager. Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees.

    “The reason we don’t see more of these kind of structures in the market is that they require a big commitment up front by a number of parties to establish. But given the keen investor and broker interest in this Trust and the IPO today, we’re confident there will be more to come.”

    Neuberger Berman is one of the world’s leading private, independent, employee-owned asset management groups and manages more than US$300 billion in client assets (as at 30 June 2018) across a range of strategies—including equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity and hedge funds—on behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. It has been in Australia since 2007 and has 20 offices globally.

    “Having established the trust, the task now is to take care of all the operational governance and compliance obligations while the investment manager, Neuberger Berman, focus on the investment strategy.

    “Equity Trustees is an independent responsible entity, so investors and the investment manager are assured of efficient and effective service and oversight by the market leading provider,” Mr Kalman concluded.

    Law firm Corrs acted for Neuberger Berman and Equity Trustees in a team that included Boardroom (unit registry), Pitcher Partners (tax adviser), PwC (scheme auditor and compliance plan auditor) and JP Morgan (custodian and fund administrator).

    Download the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski
    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications
    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024
    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Equity Trustees Limited (“Equity Trustees”) (ABN 46 004 031 298), AFSL 240975, is the Responsible Entity for the Neuberger Berman’s Global Corporate Income Trust (ARSN: 627 297 241). Equity Trustees is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). This publication has been prepared to provide you with general information only. In preparing this publication, we did not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It is not intended to take the place of professional advice and you should not take action on specific issues in reliance on this information. Neither Equity Trustees nor any of its related parties, their employees or directors, provide and warranty of accuracy or reliability in relation to such information or accepts any liability to any person who relies on it. Past performance should not be taken as an indicator of future performance. You should obtain a copy of the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a decision about whether to invest in this product. The PDS can be obtained from www.nb.com/NBI or by calling 61 2 8023 5419. Copyright © 2018 Equity Trustees, All rights reserved.


  • Video Wills can put estates in jeopardy, says Equity Trustees

    A recent Court case in Western Australia has demonstrated the problems and risks of recording yourself on video outlining your instructions and wishes in the hope that it might be interpreted as your last intended Will.

    A recent Court case in Western Australia has demonstrated the problems and risks of recording yourself on video outlining your instructions and wishes in the hope that it might be interpreted as your last intended Will.

    In a recent Western Australian case*, the Supreme Court was asked to accept 4 videos made by Peter Pitman in 2011, 5 years before he died, as his last intended Will.

    “In this case,” explained Stephen Hardy, National Manager of Estate Planning for Equity Trustees, “the Court was not persuaded that the videos were a ‘complete’ expression of Mr Pitman’s intentions regarding the distribution of his estate after his death, and concluded that Mr Pitman’s actions did not demonstrate that he intended the videos to be his last Will. As the Court did not accept the videos as Mr Pitman’s Will, Mr Pitman’s estate was to be distributed in accordance with legislation relating to the estates of persons who die without a Will.”

    Mr Hardy said that this case was another example of the sometimes unusual estate planning matters that the Courts must decide on.

    “From time to time we hear about an unusual document or other record being accepted by a Court as a person’s last Will. This may be an unsent text message, a document not witnessed correctly or a note written prior to surgery,” he said.

    “In Mr Pitman’s case, the Court agreed that he was the person in the videos, and that he had the necessary understanding to execute a valid will, but a number of other factors came into play – including the quality of the videos, and that he had not told anyone about them.”

    Mr Hardy said that the bottom line with all Wills is that in order to be valid, they must comply with the appropriate State laws specifying how a Will must be executed.

    “This usually means that a Will needs to be a document in writing, correctly signed and correctly witnessed, however in Australia, unlike in many other countries, Courts are authorised to decide that in special circumstances the usual requirements for executing a Will do not apply,” Mr Hardy said.

    “It is unusual, but in these exceptional situations, the Court can order that a record (e.g. document, video, audio recording) is the last Will, even where the record is executed incorrectly.”

    Mr Hardy urged everyone making a will to consult an expert adviser who can guide you through the process and ask the “What if?” questions that need to be answered.

    “Probably the most common reason for Wills to be challenged and overturned is that the person who made the Will didn’t receive adequate professional advice and assistance in the first place. Taking the time now can help ensure a smooth process later for those left behind,” mr Hardy said.

    Read Mr Hardy’s short summary of the case here on our website.

    * In the Estate of Peter Anthony Pitman (Deceased); Ex Parte Rosemary Machin Pitman & Another [2018] WASC 237 (7 August 2018)

    Download the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth
  • Equity Trustees Delivers

    Strong improvement in shareholder returns, with all stakeholders benefiting

    Strong improvement in shareholders returns, with all stakeholders benefiting

    • Net profit up significantly, rising 28% to $19.7 million
    • Earnings per share (EPS) up 26%, to 97.3 cents per share
    • Funds under management, advice, administration and supervision increase 21% to record $86 billion
    • Final dividend up 2 cents on interim dividend to 42 cents; for a full year dividend of 82 cents,
      up 11 cents on last year
    • All areas of business experiencing strong growth driven by acquisitions, partnerships and organic growth
    • Industry governance trends creating opportunities for Equity Trustees’ specialist model

    EQT Holdings Limited (ASX: EQT), the holding company for Equity Trustees, today announced a substantial increase in net profit to $19.7 million for the year to 30 June 2018, and an increase in EPS to 97.3 cents per share.

    Revenue increased 11% to $88.5 million, and funds under management, administration and supervision grew by 21% to reach a record $86 billion.

    “This is an excellent result for our clients, stakeholders and shareholders,” said Chairman Jeff Kennett. “The result was driven by three factors, the company’s investment over the last two years in new technology and systems, organic growth, and strong contributions from new acquisitions and partnerships.

    “Equity Trustees is proud of its independence and continues to work to ensure the highest level of governance,” he added.

    Managing Director Mick O’Brien said the business was experiencing strong momentum, with all divisions performing well. Revenue from Trustee and Wealth Services was up 11%, and Corporate Trustee and Fund Services was up 10%, supported by a material reduction in non-operating expenses.

    “We have generated significant growth in returns for shareholders, improved our client satisfaction results, increased our employee engagement, and provided a substantial contribution to the community through our philanthropic granting and trusted services.

    “This result confirms our strategy of focussing on what we do best – providing specialist fiduciary services,” Mr O’Brien said.

    A successful program of acquisitions and partnerships underpinned the result:

    • The acquisition of the OneVue Responsible Entity business with $2.7 billion of assets consolidated Equity Trustees’ position as the Australia’s leading provider of RE services
    • The appointment as the superannuation trustee to the $3.2 billion Aon Master Trust effectively doubled the size of our superannuation business to $6.7 billion Funds Under Management
    • Equity Trustees made a strategic move offshore with the acquisition of the majority stake of a UK-based funds governance business
    • The Sandhurst Trustees Estates and Trusts business was fully integrated and performing in line with expectations

    Mr O’Brien said Equity Trustees was well positioned for continuing growth.

    “All areas of the business are delivering on expectations and performing well.

    “The industry trend clearly favours Equity Trustees’ specialist model and the heightened focus on governance in financial services, both in Australia and overseas, is likely to benefit us.

    “Corporations and governments are demanding higher levels of governance. This is seeing demand for specialist governance and fiduciary services grow, and specialist trustee services increasingly outsourced.”

    Mr Kennett said, “Equity Trustees was founded on trust 130 years ago, and this single characteristic remains at the heart of our purpose.

    “Our strategy is built around benefiting all our stakeholders and we have delivered this financial year.

     “We enter the new financial year with a positive outlook for the period ahead, and the future of this 130-year-old Australian company which has stood the test of time.”

    Download the full ASX Announcement here

    View the 2018 Investor Presentation

    View the 2018 Appendix 4E & Annual Financial Report

    Visit the Investor Centre


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

    Further information

    Media

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager Marketing and Communications

    +61 403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    Investors

    Mick O’Brien                                                      Philip Gentry

    Managing Director                                           Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

    +61 3 8623 5202                                               +61 3 8623 5372

    mobrien@eqt.com.au                                   pgentry@eqt.com.au


  • Equity Trustees 130 Years Young

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees today unveiled its new brand identity and logo.

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees today unveiled its new brand identity and logo. Built on a rich 130-year history, the new design retains key aspects of the brand’s heritage but brings in vibrant new elements that reflect an optimism for the future.

    “The past two years have seen Equity Trustees strengthen in our traditional markets, develop into new ones and take our first steps offshore,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    Equity Trustees Chairman, the Hon. Jeff Kennett AC holds a direct connection to the foundation of Equity Trustees in 1888 – and its original ‘brand’. His great grandfather Edward Fanning was the Company’s longest serving director serving for a total of 30 years - 22 as Chairman.

    But Mr Kennett said the time was right for change: Our new brand puts Equity Trustees firmly in today’s landscape; It is a relevant, modern development of our trusted brand. Equity Trustees is starting the next lap of its long life and the time is right to make a change as we begin our next 130 years.

    “I am confident he would be proud to know that the Company he was a director of when it was established has thrived while being true to its core brand values of trust, empathy and professionalism – just as we always have.”

     “We are changing and adapting to meet changing market demands and client expectations. The brand needed to transform too – to present ourselves as a contemporary, leading trustee company with a brand that remains synonymous with trust, empathy and professionalism.”

    Mr O’Brien said that trust was an increasingly valuable asset in the current heightened risk environment in financial services.

    “We have, and always will appreciate that it is on trust that we build our business and serve generations of clients. Retaining the scales in our refreshed brandmark is symbolic of our continuing commitment to balancing our fiduciary responsibilities and obligations with care and concern for our clients.

    “I am pleased to see our brand come to life with a rejuvenated look and feel, and a new energy that better reflects and represents our Company character, our ambition, our heritage and our strengths,” he said.

    The Equity Trustees scales and well-recognised name have been retained but a strong new design element of curved brackets has been added to represent the care and trust clients place in Equity Trustees giving the traditional brand a modern look.

    With a primary colour palette of blue and yellow, the blue links to the Company’s heritage, while the yellow adds a burst of energy with a modern twist. 

    To see the new brand in action, visit the Equity Trustees website.

    Download the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.
    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London.

  • Equity Trustees appointed RE to London-based
    River and Mercantile fund

    Equity Trustees has been appointed the responsible entity (RE) for the newly launched River and Mercantile Global High Alpha Fund.

    Equity Trustees has been appointed the responsible entity (RE) for the newly launched River and Mercantile Global High Alpha Fund.

    London-based River and Mercantile Asset Management LLP is a new client for Equity Trustees, which now also has an office in London to service clients in the UK and Europe.

    “We’re pleased to be chosen to support River and Mercantile to grow its presence in the Australian market,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee and Fund Services, Equity Trustees.

    The Fund aims to achieve capital growth by primarily through global equities identified as having a prospect of superior long term growth by River and Mercantile investment managers.

    It already counts the legal community’s $3 billion+ superannuation fund, legalsuper, as its first investor, and is available to Institutional clients in Australia, including Trustees of superannuation funds, pooled super trusts, family offices, foundations and endowments.

    Equity Trustees is pursuing growth in its  Fund Services business, meeting the market demand to provide service to fund managers  who have a global outlook – whether they originate overseas like River and Mercantile, or are Australian fund managers looking to export offerings in the UK and Europe.

    “There is a real need for seamless independent RE services as fund managers grow and seek to operate across international borders,” said Mr Kalman.

    “River and Mercantile can concentrate on their investment strategy confident the governance and administration details are in the hands of Australia’s leading independent RE provider with nearly 20 years’ experience – and now with capability based in London which means we bring an even better understanding of their business to the partnership.”

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers. Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298 AFSL 240975) is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London. This communication is intended as a source of information only. No reader should act on any matter without first obtaining professional advice.

  • Equity Trustees appoints US representative

    Equity Trustees has opened the door for a smooth and easy path for US fund managers aspirations to enter the European and Australian markets by appointing a resource on the ground in the United States of America.

    Equity Trustees has opened the door for a smooth and easy path for US fund managers aspirations to enter the European and Australian markets by appointing a resource on the ground in the United States of America.

    Robert Harrison will connect US-based fund managers with Equity Trustees’ expertise in offices in Australia and UK to service funds launching into the European, UK, Australian and Asia-Pacific markets.

    “This is part of our global strategy to service fund managers no matter where they are in the world,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee and Fund Services, Equity Trustees.

    Equity Trustees provides independent Responsible Entity, Management Company and Authorised Corporate Director services in Australia, Europe and the UK. It currently services more than 100 leading international investment and wealth managers, with more than A$80 billion in assets under management.

    “Our move to expand offshore and into the UK, with an office in London means we have the expertise and people on the ground to provide seamless service,” Mr Kalman said.

    “We can be the partner US fund managers need to diversify their client base in the markets in the UK, Europe or the Asia Pacific, and diversify their income in the process. We are the clear choice for US fund managers with global aspirations.”

    Mr Harrison is an Australian citizen and US permanent resident based in New York with a comprehensive CV demonstrating global leadership experience in Asset Management.  Most recently he was regional Head of North America at BNP Paribas Investment Partners, President and CEO, Fischer Francis Tress and Watts, a BNPPIP partner; and Global Head of BNPPIP Fixed Income (Institutional). He was also a member of the BNP Paribas Group Executive Committee (Americas) and BNPPIP Institutional Management Committee; Chair of the BNPPIP USA Innovation Taskforce. During his tenure, Mr Harrison held directorships in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Canada and UK.

    Before then, he was CEO of BNPPIP Australia, a Member of BNP Paribas (Australia) Executive Committee and BNPPIP APAC Management Committee, and served as a Trustee and Investment Committee Chair for BNPP Pension Plan. In previous roles he was Head of Business development at Westpac Investment Management in Sydney, Vice President at Bankers Trust Sydney and New York, and Vice President Saudi International Bank, New York.

    “Whatever the requirement, all fund managers can benefit from an independent outsourced fund governance solution which frees up fund managers to do what they do best – focus on building the business and managing investments. Mr Harrison is an exceptional resource to link US-based funds managers with global opportunities, backed by Equity Trustees’ world-leading capability in this highly specialised area of expertise,” Mr Kalman concluded.

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth
  • Mainstream Group selects Equity Trustees to support launch of new European fund platform

    Two Australia-based businesses expanding internationally have partnered to launch a new Irish fund platform, giving Australian fund managers easier access to European UCITS.

    Two Australia-based businesses expanding internationally have partnered to launch a new Irish fund platform, giving Australian fund managers easier access to European UCITS.

    Mainstream Group has selected Equity Trustees, the global fund operator which moved into the UK six months ago, to provide UCITS Management Company services to the Mainstream UCITS ICAV.

    Equity Trustees provides independent Responsible Entity, Management Company and Authorised Corporate Director services in Australia, Europe and the UK. It currently services more than 100 leading international investment and wealth Managers, with more than A$80 billion in assets under management.

    Established in 2006, Mainstream have more than 230 employees in eight countries and has total funds under administration (FUA) of A$132 billion.

    “We have worked with the team at Equity Trustees for over twelve years and already partner together on supporting more than 30 mutual fund manager clients. This platform allows us to extend our existing service offering to provide access to investors in European markets,” said Martin Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Mainstream Group.

    “Having an experienced global partner in Equity Trustees means we have been able to quickly bring a lower cost platform solution to the market so our clients can easily distribute their funds in Europe,” he said.

    Equity Trustees moved into the UK and European market through the acquisition of 60% of London-based Treasury Capital Fund Solutions in 2017, which has now become a part of the Equity Trustees group.

    “There is demand from Financial Services experts for an independent, multi-jurisdictional fund operator who can provide a single relationship and service offering across key fund domiciles,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee and Fund Service at Equity Trustees.

    “No matter where we are in the world, Equity Trustees’ role is to ensure each fund operates within the right legal framework, giving investors certainty and security about their investment's governance structure, and fund managers the freedom to focus on managing the investments.”

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth
  • Equity Trustees announces Ansett trust land to remain locally owned

    After a comprehensive six month Expression of Interest process, Equity Trustees has finalised the outcome for the final parcel of land owned by the R.M. Ansett Trust in Mt Eliza.

    After a comprehensive six month Expression of Interest process, Equity Trustees has finalised the outcome for the final parcel of land owned by the R.M. Ansett Trust in Mt Eliza.

    The land will be sold as a single parcel on an unconditional basis to a purchaser with existing local interests. The sale price and details of the agreement are confidential under the contract and Equity Trustees is bound by that confidentiality.

    The 22.3 hectares of land has a beachfront and is held within four certificate titles, located at the corner of Kunyung Rd and Albatross Ave in Mt Eliza, 45 km from Melbourne.

    “We believe this is a great outcome for the Ansett Trust, which will now be able to invest more funds to meet its charitable purpose – to assist children to take their place in life,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “Importantly, we have been fortunate in this process to be able to carry out our responsibility as trustee to act according to Sir Reginald’s philanthropic intent, and also find a purchaser who has a great understanding of the significance of this parcel of land.

    “We believe this is a great outcome for the community,” said Mr O’Brien.

    Sir Reginald Ansett was a respected Australia businessman, aviator and philanthropist, best known for founding Ansett Airlines.

    Since 2010 when it was established, the Trust has distributed more than $5m to programs that assist children and young people, including those in out of home care, charities that run child-focussed programs and scholarships to schools in the Mornington Peninsula.

    Contracts for the deal were signed on Friday 8 June.

    The Expression of Interest process was conducted and managed independently by Ernst and Young (EY). 

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth
  • Wicking Trust contributes $4.4m to Vision Australia

    One of Australia’s most significant charitable trusts, the Wicking Trust managed by Equity Trustees, has committed $4.4m over four years to support a Digital Transformation initiative at Vision Australia.

    One of Australia’s most significant charitable trusts, the Wicking Trust managed by Equity Trustees, has committed $4.4m over four years to support a Digital Transformation initiative at Vision Australia.

    The life changing potential of digital technologies on people who are blind or have low vision is the focus of discussion at the Open Day at Vision Australia’s Wicking Centre today (8 June) where the latest technology, devices and facilities will be on display.

    Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien and members of the Equity Trustees Philanthropy team responsible for managing the Wicking Trust join Their Excellencies Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove, Member for Higgins, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP and City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Steve Stefanolpoulos at the Open Day.

    “Equity Trustees is proud to manage the legacy of John and Janet Wicking, who together were successful, active, generous people. They left behind the J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust and entrusted Equity Trustees to manage their legacy in perpetuity,” said Mr O’Brien.

    The Wicking Trust was established in 2002 from the Will of John Wicking and now distributes more than $4 million annually in grants.

    John Wicking began his lifetime connection with Vision Australia in 1961 (then called the Association for the Blind) when he volunteered to help with fundraising. The commitment lived on after he passed away through instructions in his Will to provide ongoing funds.

    “Part of the digital transformation of Vision Australia included an earlier philanthropic grant from the Wicking Trust to begin digitising its ‘talking’ library. Around 30,000 books are now available for download, and more are being added every year making them more accessible to more people who are blind or have low vision,” explained Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees.

    “This latest project grant will assist Vision Australia to implement a digital transformation program to co-design more innovative products and services with their clients, and empower staff to deliver superior customer service,” she said.

    It will include the introduction of new digital platforms and tools, and create communities that connect clients with support. This work builds on previous initiatives which were also supported by the Wicking Trust, including the i-access® program (library content, playback capabilities and IT infrastructure), the Adult Services Model project which enabled the development of a ‘person-centred’ delivery model in readiness for the NDIS, and the Enterprise Architecture Project which delivered new systems and infrastructure that emphasise accessibility, mobility and the delivery of personalised services for clients.

    “The Wicking’s had the foresight to see that they could empower change well beyond their lifetimes – this funding for the Vision Australia digital transformation project is probably not something they could fully imagine in their lifetimes, and yet they have made it happen,” said Mr O’Brien.

    “Our role as trustee is to make sure their philanthropic vision lives on, making a real difference and empowering change. Equity Trustees sees our role managing the Wicking Trust, and promoting the work it supports, as a real privilege,” he concluded.

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth
  • Equity Trustees announces Tony Lally as new super board chair

    Equity Trustees has announced the appointment of Tony Lally to the chair of the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board to replace John Crocker who will retire from the position.

    Equity Trustees has announced the appointment of Tony Lally to the chair of the Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited Board to replace John Crocker who will retire from the position.

    Equity Trustees is Australia’s leading specialist trustee company and operates The Executive Superannuation Fund. Most recently it entered into an alliance with Aon which will create a $5.2 billion superannuation partnership, confirming its place as the leading provider of the outsourced trustee model for Australia’s rapidly growing superannuation market.

    With decades of experience in the superannuation industry, as well as funds management in Australia and internationally Mr Lally has the experience and expertise to help the Equity Trustees’ Superannuation Trustee business to consolidate its leading position.

    “Mr Lally brings excellent expertise and experience in areas including life insurance, funds management, strategy development, sales and marketing, financial management, superannuation, risk management and financial planning in Australia and internationally. We congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to working with him to building and strengthening our superannuation trustee business,” said Mick O’Brien, Managing Director, Equity Trustees.

    “Appointing a specialist trustee is fast becoming an attractive option in the superannuation funds market. With our outsourced service model, organisations retain all of their commercial interests while providing assurance to their members that there is independent oversight of the funds they have trusted to be invested wisely for their retirement.

    “The issue of independence is especially being highlighted with the current Royal Commission examining just what it means to have independence in decision making and what constitutes a conflict in that process.  Equity Trustees was established to be an independent, specialist trustee 130 years and our purpose remains just as relevant today.”

    Mr Lally’s current appointments include Self Wealth Ltd (Chair) and the Cycling Australia Coaching Commission, and previously included the International Centre for Pensions Management (ICPM), Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), Deutsche Asset Management and Commonwealth Life Ltd, among others.

    Originally an actuary, Mr Lally was CEO of Sunsuper until 2013 and led the company through a period of transformation, more than doubling FUM during his tenure.

    Mr Lally joins independent directors Catherine Robson and Ellis Varejes on the Board, which also includes Mr O’Brien and General Manager of the Superannuation Trustee business, Mark Blair.

    “I take this opportunity to thank the outgoing chair Mr Crocker for 12 years of service. We have benefited greatly from his experience. He was part of the industry during its key formative years and through the period before it became such a significant part of the financial industry landscape, and had a long and successful career which included the AMP Society and Tower Perrin. Since retirement, he served on numerous boards in the financial services and superannuation industries,” Mr O’Brien said.

    “Mr Lally will admirably follow in the footsteps of Mr Crocker. We are very fortunate to attract experience of this calibre and quality to our Board,” concluded Mr O’Brien.

    The appointment is effective this month (1 June).

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth
  • Reconciliation in action fosters innovation and relevance

    Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities led Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees to adapt and change the way it delivers traditional trustee services not only in their trustee and philanthropic areas – but in an unexpected area of their business: Estate planning.

    Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities led Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees to adapt and change the way it delivers traditional trustee services not only in their trustee and philanthropic areas – but in an unexpected area of their business: Estate planning.

    A pilot, developed in consultation with the Noongar community in Western Australia, is planned for later in 2018 to test and refine a program designed to support the writing of Wills that specifically target the estate planning needs of Aboriginal people.

    “Around 60% of the Australian population have a valid Will* – which means one that will be effective and legal at the time it is needed. Indications are that the percentage is much lower for First Australians,” said Stephen Hardy, National Manager of Estate Planning, Equity Trustees.

    Equity Trustees works with a number of Aboriginal communities, acting as trustee for community and native title trusts. Separately, Equity Trustees as trustee for around 500 philanthropic trusts is responsible for channelling funds into a range of causes and programs that aim to address Indigenous disadvantage.

    “Most Australians use an accessible professional service to prepare their Wills.  For First Australians, particularly those in remote towns and communities, access to such specialised services is a barrier – and typical estate planning approaches don’t necessarily meet traditional estate planning needs,” explained Mr Hardy.

    “Estate planning can help prevent burial disputes and protect customary law by ensuring clarity in how traditional objects are passed on, for example, as well as the usual things we associate Wills and estate plans with – the care of children and how property is distributed,” he said.

    Equity Trustees plans to use the pilot experience to develop core estate planning services appropriate to the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, beginning with communities it currently partners with.

    Managing Director, Mick O’Brien, said Equity Trustees recognised its corporate responsibility to actively pursue reconciliation.

    “We recognise that National Reconciliation Week is a great opportunity to highlight all that can be done and all that still needs to be done to improve social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities,” Mr O’Brien said.

    “We play a role at a corporate level with the adoption and implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan, the many ways we build connections with Indigenous communities and serve them now, and how we share and develop access to our unique expertise to protect their wealth into the future,” he concluded.


    *Having the last word: will making and contestation in Australia (March 2015)

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees is the brand name of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615) and its subsidiary companies, publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and London

    .


  • Equity Trustees launches Reconciliation Action Plan

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees, has formalised its commitment to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community with the launch of its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

    Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, Equity Trustees, has formalised its commitment to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community with the launch of its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

    “We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to manage their wealth through various community and native title trust models, and by directing philanthropic funds towards a wide variety of Aboriginal programs assisting our First Australians. Equity Trustees has a rich history in managing wealth for all Australians, this experience places us in a unique position to use our expertise to improve social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities,” said Equity Trustees’ Chairman, the Hon. Jeff Kennett AC.

    “The development of the traditional trustee model to the contemporary Australian context has included adapting our technical trustee service to community trusts. Our services continue to evolve to ensure our products and services meet the needs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, and we work closely with Aboriginal communities and their representatives in partnership,” Mr Kennett said.

    Equity Trustees’ Managing Director, Mick O’Brien said employees across our Company had embraced the opportunity to be a part of the first RAP’s development and what it could deliver.

    “Some of our employees are involved directly in working with managing community trusts or granting, but all employees have seen the opportunity in this initiative to make a difference. As an active partner to many Aboriginal communities, Equity Trustees has a strong corporate responsibility to actively pursue reconciliation, and this RAP is our first step toward formalising this commitment,” Mr O’Brien said.

    Equity Trustees has a growing portfolio of community trusts serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and an increasing profile in those communities for its independent, specialist trustee service.

    In addition, as a leading provider of philanthropic funds in Australia, distributing around $70 million annually, Equity Trustees has distributed funds to programs including:

    • early childhood intervention to improve literacy and numeracy in a Victorian Aboriginal community
    • improved tertiary education pathways for Aboriginal youth
    • support for the welcome to country celebrations opening Melbourne Festivals; and
    • improvements in school to work transition for young Aboriginal peoples in Goulburn Valley.

    Equity Trustees formally launched its inaugural RAP in Perth on 16 April 2018 with special guest speaker Angela Ryder, inaugural member of the Noongar Charitable Trust Advisory Council and founding member of the Langford Aboriginal Association. Read the Equity Trustees Reflect RAP on our website or find it on the Reconciliation Australia website.

    Read the full Media Release here


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth
  • Equity Trustees appointed RE to leading New Zealand asset managers Milford

    Equity Trustees has been appointed the responsible entity (RE) for Milford Australia Limited, the Australian business of New Zealand’s leading asset management company Milford Asset Management.

    Equity Trustees has been appointed the responsible entity (RE) for Milford Australia Limited, the Australian business of New Zealand’s leading asset management company Milford Asset Management.

    They enter the market with the launch of the Milford Australian Absolute Growth Fund designed for investors with higher risk tolerances; it targets absolute returns with an annualised return objective of 5% above RBA cash rate while seeking to preserve investor capital over rolling three year periods.

    Milford was established in 2003 and is an active fund manager with more than [NZ] $5.5bn FUM.

    “We’re pleased to be chosen to support Milford to grow its presence in the Australian market,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees.

    After a recent acquisition of 60% of London-based Treasury Fund Solutions, Equity Trustees’ CTS business is increasingly aligning its expertise with clients who have a global outlook – whether they are coming into the Australian market, or exporting offerings elsewhere.

    “There is also an increasing need for independent services as fund managers grow and seek to operate across international borders,” said Mr Kalman.

     “As RE, we take responsibility to ensure the fund operates within the right legal framework, giving investors certainty and security about their investment's governance structure.

    “Milford concentrate on their investment strategy confident the governance and administration details are in the hands of Australia’s leading independent RE provider with nearly 20 years’ experience.”

    Download the full Media Release


    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au

    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

  • Equity Trustees concerned proposed law would stifle advocacy by charities and increase red tape

    Equity Trustees' Chairman, the Hon Jeff Kennett AC, says a proposed Federal Government bill would stifle public advocacy by many charities and add an unnecessary layer of red tape.

    Equity Trustees' Chairman, the Hon Jeff Kennett AC, says a proposed Federal Government bill would stifle public advocacy by many charities and add an unnecessary layer of red tape.

    “As Australia’s leading trustee with responsibility for more than 500 charitable trusts, Equity Trustees is deeply concerned the proposed bill has gone well beyond the original intent to protect our democracy from malicious external interference,” Mr Kennett said.

    Mr Kennett has written to the minister, Senator Cormann, expressing his concern over the impact of the proposed Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017.

     “Equity Trustees believes there are many cases in which the proposed law would stifle public advocacy by charities on policy issues that are legitimate and important topics for public discussion.

    “This Bill may have been developed with the best of intentions, but it has gone too far.”

    Mr Kennett said the reporting and compliance obligations of the proposed Bill were also onerous and could apply to hundreds of charitable trusts overseen by Equity Trustees.

    “The proposed law would add a layer of red tape to many charities increasing the cost of compliance and requiring significant resourcing.”

    Mr Kennett said, as a trustee for charitable trusts, Equity Trustees was responsible for granting funds to thousands of not-for-profit organisations to the tune of around $70 million annually.

    He said it was Equity Trustees’ responsibility to speak up for those who appointed a trustee company to carry out their instructions in perpetuity.

    “There are many examples of the practical impact; two of our foundations currently fund work being done to create change for young people in out of home care, another trust funds advocacy to achieve better outcomes for ageing Australians including those at risk of homelessness. We are responsible for Trusts that are committed to better outcomes for Indigenous Australians – work which cannot rule out looking at policies and structures that prevent progress.

    “Advocacy on behalf of vulnerable Australians is essential work for many organisations funded through our trusts,” Mr Kennett said.

    “However, the proposed legislation threatens to stifle Australian philanthropy which provides millions of dollars to the social sector complementing government funds every day to make our community better, healthier and safer.”

    Mr Kennett said the compliance and reporting requirements under the proposed changes would be burdensome on charities and funding bodies and included potentially severe civil and criminal penalties for breaching the reporting requirements to the AEC.

    “This will require significant resourcing by us as trustee, as well as not-for-profits and charities.”

    Mr Kennett said Equity Trustees regularly distributed grants well in excess of the threshold amount of $13,500 multiple times per year, across a large number of not-for-profits, meaning that the majority of granting would need additional scrutiny to test whether it came under the new requirements and therefore additional reporting.

    “I can’t help but wonder what the founders of our largest and most generous foundations and trusts, which have been responsible for building some of our great national institutions and still fund them to this day, would think, if we, as trustee, find ourselves in a position of spending time and resources on compliance obligations for no benefit to the community – or the safety of our democracy,” he concluded.

    Download the full Media Release

    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au


    About Equity Trustees

    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for fund managers.

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757) AFSL 229757is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT) with offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

  • Equity Trustees announces Wicking Trust commitment of $7.4m

    A social change campaign to tackle ageism, a National Death Literacy Benchmark tool, a strategy to engage political leaders on better servicing an ageing population, and promoting the right to age well: These are the initiatives awarded a share in the Wicking Trust Major Grants for 2018

    A social change campaign to tackle ageism, a National Death Literacy Benchmark tool, a strategy to engage political leaders on better servicing an ageing population, and promoting the right to age well: These are the initiatives awarded a share in the Wicking Trust Major Grants for 2018.

    The Wicking Trust, managed by Equity Trustees, is one of Australia’s most significant charitable trusts. It was established in 2002 and now distributes more than $4 million each year.

    “Philanthropy has the ability to make real and measurable differences to causes and people. After a vibrant lifetime of partnership and generosity, John and Janet Wicking left behind the J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust. It is a fitting tribute to their commitment to each other, and the causes they both cared so much about in their lifetimes,” said Jodi Kennedy, General Manager, Charitable Trusts and Philanthropy, Equity Trustees.

     The Wicking Trust Major Grants program aims to achieve systemic change in the areas of ageing and Alzheimer's disease. These grants are in addition to ongoing partnerships with Vision Australia and the O’Brien Institute, two charitable organisations specified in the Will which established the Trust. 

     “It’s no secret that Australia’s population is ageing and the number of Australians over the age of 65 is expected to more than double by 2055,” Ms Kennedy explained. “We are now faced with a challenge to create a society that fully understands the economic and social impacts of ageing and embraces the opportunities presented by this demographic shift.”

     “The Wicking Trust seeks to improve the wellness and quality of life for older people and people with Alzheimer’s disease.  To realise this goal the Wicking Trust’s Major Grants program aims to identify and invest in organisations that are well-placed to create enduring change in policy and/or practice , in part through grants, but also in bringing together a community of organisations that share the same goals. We believe that together more can be achieved towards these goals.”

     Four major grants (detail over the page) were:

    1. The Benevolent Society ($1.5m over 5 years) - EveryAGE Counts – a campaign to tackle ageism.
    2. Per Capita Australia Limited ($480,000 over 2 years) - Centre for Applied Policy in Positive Ageing (CAPPA)
    3. The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) ($900,000 over 3 years) Ageing Well Systems Lab
    4. The GroundSwell Project (GSP) ($175,000 over 2 years) - Building Death Literacy: New Conversations, Innovative Practices

     “As a leading Australian provider of philanthropic funds, about five percent of our annual distributions are directed towards supporting initiatives specifically in ageing and aged care,” explained Ms Kennedy.

    “It’s our role to ensure that we honour the intentions of the founders of these trusts, and that we ensure the money has an impact in the areas of need identified by the founders, and empowers change in our community to address the issues we face.  Equity Trustees is proud to manage the Wicking Trust and promote the work it supports.”

    In addition to the major grants, in 2017 the Wicking Trust made a further commitment to Vision Australia of $4.4m over four years in support of their Digital Transformation initiative. The Wicking Trust has a long-standing partnership with Vision Australia, the leading provider of blindness and low vision services in Australia.


    Project descriptions

    The Benevolent Society                                                            $1.5m over 5 years

    EveryAGE Counts – a campaign to tackle ageism.

    The Wicking Trust is the first major funder to support this multifaceted social change campaign which aims to change the way we think about ageing in our community. This grant will enable the crucial foundational work required to secure the future of the campaign which will:

    • set the foundations for the essential conditions for current and future generations to age well
    • positively change social norms and public discourse on ageing
    • mobilise a holistic political response to the opportunities presented by our ageing population
    • reframe the perception of getting older.

    Per Capita Australia Limited                                                     $480,000 over 2 years

    Centre for Applied Policy in Positive Ageing (CAPPA)

    This commitment is a two year extension grant for an initiative currently funded by the Wicking Trust. CAPPA undertakes research and social innovation projects that focus on finding solutions to emerging issues resulting from Australia’s ageing population, with the aim to increase the social and economic wellbeing of older Australians and change the framework through which ageing is viewed.

    The funding ensures CAPPA cements its position as a leader in the development of policy to promote positive ageing in Australia, and in the provision of policy solutions to address complex issues facing people as they age. CAPPA will complete its existing suite of social innovation projects and develop plans for new interventions in applied policy. They will develop a long term strategy for the engagement of political leaders and decision makers to take a positive, optimistic approach to programs and services that support an ageing population.

    The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI)                $900,000 over 3 years

    Ageing Well Systems Lab

    This commitment is a three year extension grant for an initiative that was initially funded for three years by the Wicking Trust. This additional funding will enable TACSI to continue its work towards ensuring all Australians have the right to age well. This includes:

    • To continue to build a national coalition of partners to gather and share case studies that demonstrate innovative examples of in home care and housing as people age.
    • Finding solutions that can match the scale of the problem around home and housing as the population continues to age
    • Engaging policy decision makers and build their capability to elevate the outcomes of the Lab to influence national policy decisions around home, housing and ageing
    • Publishing learnings through regular blogs, papers, short documentaries and conference presentations to influence the thinking and action of those who can affect change.

    The GroundSwell Project (GSP)                                                $175,000 over 2 years

    Building Death Literacy: New Conversations, Innovative Practices

    In the 2016 Major Grants Round, funding was provided to The GroundSwell Project to enable the organisation to develop and pilot a National Death Literacy Benchmark tool and conduct the first national survey of death literacy and to disseminate their findings at the end of a three year period. In addition, a small amount of core operating support was also provided to GSP. This grant is an extension of core funding to support the continued development of GSP’s work.

    Download the full Media Release here

    Media inquiries:

    Alicia Kokocinski

    Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications

    akokocinski@eqt.com.au      

    03 8623 5396 / 0403 172 024


    Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial Trustee and Executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As Australia’s leading specialist trustee company, we offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, estate planning, philanthropic services and Responsible Entity (RE) services for external Fund Managers.

    Philanthropy services are provided by Equity Trustees Limited (ABN 46 004 031 298, AFSL 240975) and Equity Trustee Wealth Services Limited (ABN 33 006 132 332, AFSL 234528), both companies are part of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT).

  • Sisters are doing it for themselves: Women in Philanthropy

    International Women’s Day 2017 is the time to think of women philanthropists past and present who have dared to be bold for change.

    Increasing numbers of women are taking a leading role empowering change through philanthropy - contributing their money, expertise and leadership to charities and social enterprises,” said Natalie Elliott, Grant Development Manager at Equity Trustees, and Manager of the William Buckland Foundation. 

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Prestigious Viertel medical research fellowships announced

    The prestigious annual Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowships have been announced for 2017. In addition, three new clinical investigator awards were announced.

    Last year the Viertel Foundation demonstrated its commitment to encouraging excellence and gender equality in the fields of medical and scientific research with the decision to award a Fellowship to one male, and one female researcher each year.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees corporate business boosts compliance capability

    Equity Trustees’ Corporate Trustees Services (CTS) business has boosted its compliance and regulatory capability by dedicating expert professionals to support the business, ensuring it can meet the increasing demands placed on clients by an ever changing and increasingly stringent regulatory environment.

    CTS has grown into Australia’s largest independent responsible entity (RE) service provider since it was established 17 years ago with just three clients, seven funds and $700m in funds under supervision.  It now services more than 100 clients, 240 funds and over $50bn funds under supervision. 

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Wicking Trust major grants announced

    $8m over 6 years for ageing well and dying well. The University of Tasmania, the National Ageing Research Institute and The GroundSwell Project are the major beneficiaries of the latest round of major grants from one of Australia’s most significant trusts, The Wicking Trust, managed by Equity Trustees.

    The major grants, totalling more than $8m in discretionary distributions from the Trust, are in addition to ongoing funding commitments from the Trust to Vision Australia and the O’Brien Foundation (formerly the Microsurgery Foundation), which continue to be funded out of the Trust in accordance with the direction of the Trust founders John and Janet Wicking.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees strengthens super business for growth in 2017

    Equity Trustees Superannuation Portfolio Services (SPS) business is gearing to strengthen its position as the superannuation industry’s premier provider of independent trustee services in 2017.

    The Company began the year with the arrival of Mark Blair, formerly the head of KPMG’s superannuation advisory business charged with task to develop the SPS business, and ends 2016 with the appointment of Grant Currie as Head of Superannuation Trustee Services.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • The Power Of One

    Equity Trustees, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustees Services Harvey Kalman reveals why super funds are turning to the fund-of-one structure for answers.

    Rising investment complexity, the need for greater independent oversight and a growing compliance burden characterises today's super landscape. Equity Trustees, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustees Services Harvey Kalman reveals to AFSA in Superfunds Magazine November 2016 why super funds are turning to the fund-of-one structure for answers.

    It’s early 2016 and, amid volatile market conditions, a large superannuation fund makes a brave move: it awards a $100 million mandate to an emerging markets manager.

    But this isn’t a typical mandate. The fund and manager are sharing data under a unique structure and, when they identify their preferred buy signal, move immediately. The fund grows more comfortable and boosts its allocation.

    Within four months, the mandate passes $1.5 billion.

    Welcome to the world of the ‘fund-of-one’ where super funds are creating bespoke portfolios with their managers to reduce risk and simplify reporting.

    These are just some of the benefits which have been driving institutional investors to boost their investments in fund-of-one structures over the past six years.

    BUILDING THE HOME BASE: SUPPORT FOR THE FUND-OF-ONE

    Australia is home to 16 of the largest 300 funds in the world, according to a 2015 survey by (Willis) Towers Watson and Pensions & Investments.

    With this size comes enormous economies of scale. Funds are using it to exert more control as they increasingly turn to offshore investments to boost returns while adding new alternative strategies to diversify their portfolios.

    It represents an opportunity but one that is also accompanied by greater complexity and risk. Funds can structure their investments to manage this in multiple ways.

    One is to ensure their offshore investments are domiciled in Australia, which offers economies of scale and diversification of risk. It allows super funds to collectively benefit from the investment expertise of a fund manager while also enjoying the relative simplicity of Australian tax, compliance and reporting standards.

    For example, the reporting requirements of offshore investments housed in an Australian-domiciled fund are automatically aligned with our 30 June fiscal year and must meet the standards of local regulators such as APRA and ASIC. Compliance requirements clearly fall under Australia’s well-respected rule of law rather than a range of offshore jurisdictions.

    An Australian-domicile ultimately improves back office functioning – efficiencies which can flow into return-generating investment decisions.

    An emerging market investment housed in an Australian-domiciled fund for example, can immediately include sub-accounts for regions where it can take months of bureaucracy to be approved as a foreign investor, such as India or Taiwan. Once those sub-accounts are set up, the manager can quickly move on potential investments in those regions while the investor continues to benefit from seamless reporting and a single unit price.

    A COMMINGLED FUND VERSUS THE FUND-OF-ONE

    The benefits of an Australian-domicile can be obtained in a commingled fund, where an investor’s assets are pooled alongside other investors. However, a fund-of-one—where a single investor invests in and controls the fund through an investor registered (or unregistered) vehicle—improves the risk-return dynamics again.

    This is because a super fund using a fund-of-one naturally has more power to negotiate investment terms and create a bespoke portfolio with their chosen fund manager across areas such as fees, investment flexibility, transparency and reporting standards.

    The sole investor can negotiate investment terms with the fund manager rather than accept ‘middle-of-the-road’ mandate terms in a commingled fund which are designed to suit a range of investors.

    Funds can negotiate lower fees dependent on the size of the deal (typical fund-of-ones range in size from $50–$200 million although a number are greater than $1 billion). Particular assets or investment strategies, such as the use of gearing or derivatives, can be easily segregated from the fund manager’s wider offering.

    In this way, the structure quarantines and reduces risk, while delivering better reporting and transparency about the underlying investment strategy. The fund-of-one’s independent trustee acts as an additional safeguard, monitoring the custodian, administrator, auditors and fund manager.

    The risk management benefits of the fund-of-one structure can also flow into its ability to deliver potentially higher net returns.

    For example, the investor and fund manager can work together more closely on investment decisions – as the emerging markets manager and super fund mentioned above chose to do so.

    Importantly, the investor owns the fund-of-one. If an investor in a commingled fund is unhappy with its performance, the fund must sell its units and reinvest elsewhere, potentially triggering capital gains tax. By way of contrast, an investor in a fund-of-one can add or subtract fund managers from the structure and avoid those potential tax implications.

    ALTERNATIVES, EMERGING MARKETS, FIXED INTEREST AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

    The fund-of-one structure is growing in popularity as institutional investors continue to diversify their portfolios with offshore and alternative investments.

    Investors creating a fund-of-one structure can benefit from improved transparency about complex investments such as underlying hedge fund, infrastructure, private equity, fund-of-funds and long-short funds. The structure can also house more traditional assets such as property, construction, global equities and fixed income.

    These types of more complex portfolios featuring a breadth of strategies are becoming par for the course as super funds seek out new ways to generate returns in a low-inflation environment.

    Over the past decade, the average Australian super fund has approximately doubled its allocation to alternative assets from between 5–6 per cent to 10–11 per cent, according to a recent analysis by Frontier Advisors. Many funds are also increasingly heading offshore as their size makes it difficult to find attractive local investments in a relatively small local market.

    Equity Trustees recently worked with a super fund to create a fund-of-one structure to hold a complex fixed income mandate, which was seeded with $100 million. Over six months, the fund grew to $800 million and has the capacity to reach $2 billion over two years.

    GREATER CONTROL WITHOUT BLURRING THE LINES

    As institutional investors grow in size, so too does their power to tailor their portfolios.

    One of the strongest recent trends has been the move to insource a wide range of funds management activities, which allows funds to create bespoke portfolios on their own terms while minimising costs.

    However, insourcing also presents challenges. A recent survey of funds by the Centre for International Finance and Regulation raised issues such as difficulty in attracting top-shelf investment professionals with lower remuneration and the danger of being ‘captured’ by underperforming internal investment teams.

    While a fund manager or super fund can act as trustee of its own fund-of-one, a fund-of-one overseen by an independent trustee presents an alternative option which can blend the best of both worlds.

    It still allows institutional investors to access top-line talent with a fund manager, while exerting greater influence (as the sole investor) to negotiate investment terms, including fees. But an independent trustee acts as an additional safeguard to protect the interests of the investor and, in extreme cases, can remove the fund manager to protect the investor.

    Australia is one of the few jurisdictions in the world which allows the same organisation to act as both trustee and investment manager of a fund.

    The Financial Services Council’s recent report Australia as a Financial Centre: Seven years on raised concerns about these ‘single responsible entity’ provisions and suggested they could be solved by adopting international standards or introducing a new collective investment vehicle with different governance provisions.

    In addition, ASIC’s 2016 Culture, conduct and conflicts of interest in vertically integrated funds management industry review, further highlights the advantage of an independent trustee in the model.



  • Equity Trustees honours 10 years of service to super board by industry veteran John Crocker

    With 50 years’ experience in superannuation, industry veteran John Crocker was congratulated for his decade of service as a director of Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ETSL) by Equity Trustees’ Chairman, Tony Killen.

    “John is highly regarded in the industry and we are delighted to have had his trustee expertise and leadership in the service of our Superannuation Board. He was a part of the industry during the key formation years and in particular through the 1970’s before superannuation was part of the industrial landscape or mandated by regulators,” said Mr Killen.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees promotes outstanding corporate team

    Four members of the Corporate Trustees Services (CTS) team at Equity Trustees have been promoted into more senior roles after an outstanding year for Australia’s largest responsible entity (RE) service provider.

    “We’re now providing RE service to 96 managers – a 17% increase on last financial year, and 212 funds. So we need our world class team doing great work for an ever expanding group of clients who recognise the value of an independent RE,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, CTS.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees congratulates Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarship recipients

    Equity Trustees congratulates dairy farmers, Duncan Macdonald from Tasmania, and Daniel Meade, from Victoria, who were awarded the 2016 Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships last night.

    “We are delighted for Duncan and Daniel and applaud Nuffield Australia for its role in co-ordinating these scholarships which support not only the recipients but also the development of agricultural practices and innovation in Australia,” said Tabitha Lovett, General Manager of Philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees appointed RE to newly established MHOR venture

    Equity Trustees has been appointed responsible entity (RE) to MHOR Asset Management, a new fund manager with ambitions to grow and ultimately list in Australia.

    “We’re pleased to be selected by MHOR, they are an exciting team and Equity Trustees looks forward to partnering with them as they grow their business,” said Harvey Kalman, the Executive General Manager of Corporate Trustee Services.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees backs kids looking for a place to call home

    Equity Trustees has awarded its first grant under its new $10m Empowering change philanthropy granting program to the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

    Equity Trustees has awarded its first grant under its new $10m Empowering change philanthropy granting program to the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare for a project to bring together information and stakeholders to plan better ways to support young people in state care, with a particular focus on supporting them to make the transition to adulthood.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees launches five key areas for $10m annual giving

    Equity Trustees has restructured its granting program to direct more than $10m of annual discretionary charitable giving into five key areas.

    Equity Trustees has restructured its granting program to direct more than $10m of annual discretionary charitable giving into five key areas: Children and Young People, Medical Research and Health, Ageing and Aged Care, Animals and Environment, and Partnerships Program.

    Read the full Media Release here 

  • First Equity Trustees client early adopter under new AMIT regime

    The first client to sign on to the new Attribution Managed Investment Trusts (AMITs) regime has wasted no time in grasping the opportunity the new regime presents; greater product flexibility coupled with a more competitive position for the fund to compete internationally, and far greater access to Asian markets.

    The first client to sign on to the new Attribution Managed Investment Trusts (AMITs) regime has wasted no time in grasping the opportunity the new regime presents; greater product flexibility coupled with a more competitive position for the fund to compete internationally, and far greater access to Asian markets.

    “We’ve seen the first client, a global fixed interest fund, move quickly once the regime was enacted on 1 July,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager, Corporate Trustee Services, Equity Trustees.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Michael O'Brien appointed Managing Director

    Equity Trustees has announced the appointment of Michael O'Brien to the role of Managing Director

    Equity Trustees has announced the appointment of Michael O'Brien to the role of Managing Director following two months in the position of Executive Director.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • New granting programs launched for $6.5 million of annual giving by WBF

    New granting programs launched for $6.5 million of annual giving by the William Buckland Foundation

    One of Victoria’s largest sources of philanthropic funds, giving away in the order of $6.5 million annually, has launched a new granting program with the aim of supporting  real change in four key areas; Homelessness and Employment, Health, Education and Agriculture.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Equity Trustees appoints Senior Manager, Relationships and Oversight

    Equity Trustees Limited has appointed Alan O’Brien as a Senior Manager, Relationships and Oversight in the Corporate Trustee Services (CTS) Melbourne team, where he will be responsible for working with new and existing Responsible Entity (RE) clients.

    Mr O’Brien brings an understanding of global context which is particularly important as the CTS business moves to ensure clients are properly advised and able to take advantage of additional fund structuring opportunities now available in the Australian market. 

    Read the full Media Release here

  • AMIT Legislation a Welcome Initiative

    The introduction of Attribution Managed Investment Trusts (AMITs) will give Australian investors far greater access to Asian markets.

    The introduction of Attribution Managed Investment Trusts (AMITs) will give Australian investors far greater access to Asian markets, and is a significant step in helping Australian funds compete internationally, says Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager Corporate Trustee Services with Equity Trustees.

    Read the full Media Release here


  • Make the most of charitable giving this financial year

    The end of the financial year is a common time for people to think about charitable giving, and the associated tax advantages.

    Those who take an ad-hoc approach may not achieve the social impact they were hoping for, says Tabitha Lovett, General Manager – Philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

    Read the full Media Release here

  • Review Wills on a regular basis to avoid problems

    People who have already written a Will shouldn’t view it as a “set and forget” document but one that needs to be reviewed and updated regularly, said Anna Hacker, National Manager Estate Planning at Equity Trustees.

    People who have already written a Will shouldn’t view it as a “set and forget” document but one that needs to be reviewed and updated regularly, said Anna Hacker, National Manager Estate Planning at Equity Trustees.

    “It can be tempting to cross “write a Will” off your To-Do list once it’s completed and forget about it, but this could be a mistake,” Ms Hacker warned.

    “Sometimes, having a Will that isn’t up to date can create more problems than having no Will at all.  For instance, if a marriage has broken down since the Will was written, it might not automatically mean that the former partner will no longer be involved in the estate administration. 

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Recognising women philanthropists for IWD

    Although often seen as the domain of wealthy patriarchs, women have historically taken a leading role in the establishment of philanthropic foundations, and women establish close to half of all the philanthropic trusts managed by Equity Trustees.

    Although often seen as the domain of wealthy patriarchs, women have historically taken a leading role in the establishment of philanthropic foundations, and women establish close to half of all the philanthropic trusts managed by Equity Trustees.

    As International Women’s Day approaches (8 March), Tabitha Lovett, General Manager of Philanthropy, outlines the actions of women - both as donors and recipients - of funding.

    “Women tend to outlive men and when they build and inherit wealth they often decide to use it to give back to the community. The clients who establish foundations with Equity Trustees often tell us they do not want to just sit on a fortune but rather see it as a responsibility of their wealth to help others less fortunate and contribute to the greater good” Ms Lovett said.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Restructure of corporate services team

    As part of Equity Trustees Corporate Trustee Services’ (CTS) previously announced strategy to focus on its trustee and responsible entity operations, the business has restructured its senior management team.

    As part of Equity Trustees Corporate Trustee Services’ (CTS) previously announced strategy to focus on its trustee and responsible entity operations, the business has restructured its senior management team. 

    As a result, two senior roles have been created to add support to client relationships as well as fund operations.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Valentine's Day for de facto and same sex couples

    Red roses and candlelit dinners may be the traditional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but a more useful way to demonstrate deep commitment to your partner is to talk about an estate plan, says Equity Trustees National Manager – Estate Planning, Anna Hacker.

    Red roses and candlelit dinners may be the traditional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but a more useful way to demonstrate deep commitment to your partner is to talk about an estate plan, says Equity Trustees National Manager – Estate Planning, Anna Hacker.

    “An estate plan which clearly outlines how the one you love is to be looked after if something should happen to you, or defines who can make decisions about your medical care if needed, is useful in any relationship, but particularly important for those in de facto or same sex relationships,” Ms Hacker said.

    “A Will may not seem an obvious accompaniment to Valentine’s Day but recent events have shown that it can be the best and most useful way to highlight the importance of a relationship and ensure a loved one is treated with respect and consideration.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Equity Trustees appoints research manager

    Equity Trustees has appointed Ms Emma Pritchard to the newly created position of research and evaluation manager, clearly signalling the Company’s firm commitment to growing private philanthropy in Australia.

    Equity Trustees has appointed Ms Emma Pritchard to the newly created position of research and evaluation manager, clearly signalling the Company’s firm commitment to growing private philanthropy in Australia.

    Equity Trustees distributed more than $70m in the 2015 financial year on behalf of the charitable trusts and foundations for which it is trustee following the wishes and directions of their philanthropic founders.

    Reporting to Equity Trustee’s General Manager, Philanthropy, Tabitha Lovett, Ms Pritchard will be responsible for developing and managing a strategy and framework to better understand and demonstrate the outcomes of grants awarded.

    Ms Lovett, said the grants evaluation function was of increasing importance in the business, with the increasing trend for larger, multi-year grants continuing to highlight the importance of evaluating the benefits of the grant making process.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • New year, new Will: Estate planning tips for 2016

    New year financial resolutions are common at this time of year, but one overlooked yet important action to take is to sort out Wills and estate plans, says Anna Hacker, National Manager – Estate Planning at Equity Trustees.

    New year financial resolutions are common at this time of year, but one overlooked yet important action to take is to sort out Wills and estate plans, says Anna Hacker, National Manager – Estate Planning at Equity Trustees.

    “A fresh new year may seem like a strange time to be thinking about Wills, but it’s actually a good time to tick this item off your ‘To Do’ list.

    “If you don’t yet have a Will, then it’s a good time to get it sorted.  It’s not something that can continually be put off for “one day” – unfortunately no-one knows precisely when an estate plan will be needed therefore doing it now is the only sensible option.

    “It doesn’t matter how rich you are or even how young you are - anyone who has children, is a member of a superannuation fund or who owns their own home should have an estate plan. Choosing to do nothing is something that your loved ones may end up regretting in the future.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Equity Trustees reviews CTS strategy

    Following a strategic review of retail distribution at both Equity Trustees and SG Hiscock & Company (SGH), the businesses have made the joint decision that retail distribution for all SGH and LaSalle funds, previously managed by Equity Trustees, will transition to SGH.

    Following a strategic review of retail distribution at both Equity Trustees and SG Hiscock & Company (SGH), the businesses have made the joint decision that retail distribution for all SGH and LaSalle funds, previously managed by Equity Trustees, will transition to SGH.

    As a result, a number of the members of the Equity Trustees Corporate Trustee Services business unit distribution team, led by Eliza Weaving, will move across to SGH, ensuring a smooth transition for clients and advisers and continued development of the strong business relationship between the two companies.

    Equity Trustees Limited will continue to act as Responsible Entity and Unit Registry for all SGH funds.

    “After undertaking a review of the business’s priorities, we decided the time was right for the change,” said Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager of Equity Trustees Corporate Trustee Services.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • AMIT legislation welcome

    The tabling of the Attribution Management Investment Trust Bill (AMIT) in parliament today is to be welcomed as a significant step to help Australian funds compete internationally, says Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager Corporate Trustee Services, with Equity Trustees.

    The tabling of the Attribution Management Investment Trust Bill (AMIT) in parliament today is to be welcomed as a significant step to help Australian funds compete internationally, says Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager Corporate Trustee Services, with Equity Trustees.            

    “Changes to the managed investment trust regime are without question positive but the issues hindering the competitive distribution of local trusts globally still need to be addressed,” Mr Kalman said.


    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Can Dementia Be Prevented?

    With people living longer there has been a massive increase in the number of people with dementia which is now being thought of as the end stage of brain failure. But can we prevent dementia by reducing the risk of brain failure?

    With people living longer there has been a massive increase in the number of people with dementia which is now being thought of as the end stage of brain failure. But can we prevent dementia by reducing the risk of brain failure?

    According to Professor Craig Ritchie from the Psychiatry of Ageing at the University of Edinburgh, the answer is a resounding yes but we need to make our brains healthier in mid-life to reduce the probability of getting dementia.

    Prof Ritchie said: “Brain failure is no different in some ways to other health conditions like cardiac failure. Both are often processes taking place over decades before symptoms develop. In cardiac disease we try to reduce the build up of waxy plaque in coronary arteries decades before you might get your heart attack through improved diet, not smoking and weight control. Some people may need drugs or surgery – but all in an attempt to reduce the risk of for example a heart attack”.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • ChAFTA major opportunity for financial services sector

    In a submission on the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Committee, Equity Trustees Limited has said any agreement should include measures that lead to increased participation in each other’s financial services sector.

    In a submission on the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Committee, Equity Trustees Limited has said any agreement should include measures that lead to increased participation by China and Australia in each other’s financial services sector.

    Commenting on the submission, Harvey Kalman, Executive General Manager Corporate Trustee Services at Equity Trustees, said that Australia is recognised for its innovation and sophistication in the provision and administration of managed fund products.

    “If we can increase recognition, not only in China but throughout Asia, for Australian Financial Services Licenses (AFSL) and Collective Investment Vehicles (CIVs) it will increase the strength of our financial services sector and its ability to compete, benefiting local investors and the economy overall.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Childhood Dream Becomes Sky High Reality

    Somerville student Jaryd Wetzel’s aim to fly F-35’s for the Royal Australian Air Force has been boosted by winning the Sir Reginald Ansett Scholarship for Aviation at Swinburne University.

    Somerville student Jaryd Wetzel’s aim to fly F-35’s for the Royal Australian Air Force has been boosted by winning the Sir Reginald Ansett Scholarship for Aviation at Swinburne University.

    The scholarship, established to honour the legacy of aviation pioneer Sir Reginald Ansett, is worth $30,000 over three years of study and awarded each year to a student undertaking a Bachelor of Aviation.

    Jaryd Wetzel said: “Winning the Sir Reginald Ansett scholarship removes the financial stress so I can focus on my flying and give it my very best. It gives me the best opportunity for success”.

    HIs love for flying started from the age of five when his father took him to the Tyabb airport most weekends where he watched the planes take off and land. It propelled him to make model planes and decorate his bedroom with airplane posters.

    “My father was in the Navy and was interested in becoming a pilot but didn’t have the same opportunity as my generation. His ship was stationed with an aircraft carrier which had regular flybys of Navy fighters,” said Jaryd.


    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Dementia costs set to soar warns visiting expert

    If better treatments are not found to prevent dementia the cost to Australia’s healthcare budget as well as the number of people with the disease will soar in the next few decades, according to Professor Craig Ritchie.

    If better treatments are not found to prevent dementia the cost to Australia’s healthcare budget as well as the number of people with the disease will soar in the next few decades, according to Professor Craig Ritchie.

    Ritchie, from the Psychiatry of Ageing at the University of Edinburgh, will be in Melbourne to deliver the Wicking Trust Public Lecture on October 14.

    He says that scientists are closer to a dementia breakthrough than ever before.

    But he warns that we need to make our brains healthier in mid-life to reduce the probability of getting dementia.

    Read the full Media Release here.

  • Equity Trustees adds to WA estate planning team

    Equity Trustees has further expanded its estate planning team in Western Australia with the appointment of Brigitte Hollett as estate planning lawyer.

    Equity Trustees has further expanded its estate planning team in Western Australia with the appointment of Brigitte Hollett as estate planning lawyer.

    It follows the recent appointment of Stephanie Smith as estate planning solicitor which created Equity Trustee’s first dedicated estate planning service in Western Australia.

    Ms Hollett will report to Equity Trustees National Manager-Estate Planning, Anna Hacker, who said that the appointment comes at a time when estate planning is becoming increasingly important.

    “As our population ages, our Estate Planning division must adapt and expand its skillset in order to offer this changing demographic the quality of service that Equity Trustees prides itself on,” Ms Hacker said.

    “We are continuing to invest in the business to ensure we have the resources, knowledge and skills to meet the changing needs of Australians as well as the requirements of those that assist them.

    “In particular, financial advisers must increasingly respond to the demands of Australia’s ageing population as well as the changing requirement of blended families and people having more than one partner during their lifetime. Equity Trustees is well-positioned to assist with this.


    Read the full Media Release here. 

  • Congratulations Rigg Design Prize recipient

    Equity Trustees, managers of the Cicely & Colin Rigg Bequest, the charitable trust supporting the triennial Rigg Design Prize, congratulates Adam Goodrum for receiving the 2015 Prize.

    Equity Trustees, managers of the Cicely & Colin Rigg Bequest, the charitable trust supporting the triennial Rigg Design Prize, congratulates Adam Goodrum for receiving the 2015 Prize.

    The Rigg Design Prize, announced today by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), is the most prestigious accolade for contemporary furniture and object design in Australia, awarding $30,000 to an Australian designer.  

    Mr Goodrum won the Rigg Design Prize for his work ‘Unfolding’ which features a series of translucent folding house structures overlaid with a film that makes the structure reflect colourful shimmering images on the gallery walls.

     “We are delighted to be involved in the Rigg Design Prize and congratulate Adam on receiving it for his work ‘Unfolding’ which is a visually stunning piece. We hope people will visit the exhibition at the NGV showcasing the extraordinary designs of all seven Rigg Design Prize entrants, including Adam’s,” said Tabitha Lovett, General Manager of Philanthropy at Equity Trustees.

    Read the full Media Release here.