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Australian Conservation Foundation  CEO Kelly O’Shanassy to 'pass the torch'

AFTER more than a decade at the helm of Australia’s national environment organisation, trailblazing leader Kelly O’Shanassy has announced she will step down as CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) at the end of 2025.

“It’s been an honour to lead this powerhouse organisation and serve Australians who love nature and want climate action. It’s a hard decision to step away — but unlike solar and wind, CEO energy is not renewable, and it’s time for a break,” Ms O’Shanassy said.

“I leave knowing we have created so much impact for nature and people. Together we’ve protected ancient forests from bulldozers, saved world heritage reefs and wetlands from being dredged, stopped toxic waste dumps and helped return a million hectares of Country to Traditional Owners. Kelly O'Shanassy.

“We’ve shaped new laws to cut climate pollution and boost renewables and made climate action a resounding feature of Australian politics and business.”

ACF president Ros Harvey said Ms O’Shanassy leaves a lasting legacy at ACF and should be proud of her role in making a stronger, more powerful and more inclusive organisation.

“Kelly has cultivated a welcoming and empowering culture within ACF and the broader environment movement and has always led with great vision, compassion and integrity,” Ms Harvey said.

“Under Kelly’s stewardship, ACF created more than 40 ACF community groups across the country and attracted more than half a million new supporters, from cities, farms, the bush, the beach and mining communities,” she said.

As the second woman to lead the ACF, Ms O’Shanassy helped shatter the glass ceiling within the environment movement and has been deeply committed to making the organisation more inclusive and equitable for everyone.

“Great organisations are not just about their CEO, they are about every person being the best they can be – our staff, our community and the other NGOs we get to work with every day,” Ms O’Shanassy said.

“We have vast challenges still before us. 2030 is fast approaching, Australia’s emissions trajectory is a long way from 1.5 degrees aligned and the gas industry is still pushing to expand.  

“Australia’s threatened species list is growing. Stronger nature protection laws remains the big unfinished business and winning them will be ACF’s focus in the crucial first 12 months of the new parliament.

“There is so much more to do, and we need big, bold action more than ever,” she said.

ACF’s board is conducting a national search for its next CEO.

“If you want to work with a bunch of incredible humans, act with vision for nature and our climate, inspire a movement of Australians who love this country’s unique wildlife and wild places, and speak truth to power in parliament, business and the media — then this might be the job for you,” Ms O’Shanassy said.

For more information about ACF’s national CEO search, click here.

www.acf.org.au

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Innovative business broker Nikki Katz first woman inducted into REIA Hall of Fame

ADELAIDE-based entrepreneur and business disruptor Nikki Katz has made history as the first woman to be inducted into the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s (REIA) Hall of Fame, recognising her as one of the most influential and innovative forces in the business broking industry.

The national award recognises and celebrates outstanding individuals and businesses who have consistently achieved excellence in their respective categories within the real estate industry.

It is a prestigious award, given only to those who have won their category three years in a row. Ms Katz has won the national Business Broker of the Year title five times. 

“This Hall of Fame award means so much to me. It is a symbol of more than just success – it marks a shift in who leads, who innovates, and who defines the future of business broking in Australia,” Ms Katz said.

In a sector long dominated by men and built on rigid conventions, Ms Katz has redefined the rules. Her approach to business sales mirrors a matchmaking service more than a listings agency.

“I begin with the investor, not the inventory — sourcing capital and strategic buyers first, then I identify the right businesses for acquisition,” Ms Katz said.

Formally from Scotland, Nikki Katz moved to Australia 13 years ago and is currently the director of The Business Sales Agency, leading three specialist brands that operate across every Australian state. 

“They told me it couldn’t be done—running multiple brands, operating nationally from Adelaide, and disrupting a male-dominated industry with conservative processes that didn’t match the business landscape. But I did it anyway,” Ms Katz said.

Each brand targets a different segment of the business sales market: NK Salon Sales is a national go-to for hair and beauty salon transactions; The Rent Roll Broker specialises in rent roll acquisitions across SA and WA; and Morgan Business Sales handles national business deals from $1 million to $100 million.

Beyond her own companies, Ms Katz plays a national leadership role as chair of the South Australian chapter of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers. She is a past chair of the AIBB Education Committee and a former national board member, helping shape the future of industry standards and broker training.

Leanne Pilkington, president of the Real Estate Institue of Australia, said Ms Katz’s induction is a landmark moment for the industry.

“Nikki Katz’s induction into the REIA Hall of Fame is not only a recognition of her outstanding achievements, but a landmark moment for our industry,” Ms Pilkington said.

“Her innovative, client-first approach has redefined what business broking can look like in Australia. Nikki’s success demonstrates the power of challenging convention, and she now stands as an inspiration for the next generation of leaders – especially women – across the real estate and business sectors.”

The 2025 REIA National Awards for Excellence were held in Adelaide this week. The event is hosted in a different Australian city each year.

www.nikkikatz.com.au

www.nksalonsales.com.au

www.therentrollbroker.com.au

www.morganbusinesssales.com

 

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Dirk Vorster joins digital transformation specialists Wild Tech

WILD TECH has appointed Dirk Vorster as its Western Australia practice lead, bringing his extensive expertise in business development, strategic alliances, and enterprise technology solutions to the team. 

With a background in ERP solutions and digital transformation, Mr Vorster has built strong relationships across industries, particularly in hands-on sectors that rely on optimal technology outcomes. His experience includes leadership roles at Harvestaire and Fusion5, where he played a key role in developing NetSuite practices, growing customer bases, and forging strategic partnerships.  

“Wild Tech is at the forefront of delivering solutions that empower businesses to streamline operations and drive value through AI and data technology,” Mr Vorster said. “I’m excited to leverage my experience in digital transformation, ERP, CRM and strategic alliances to deepen our industry partnerships and support businesses in achieving long-term success.”

Grant Wild, CEO of Wild Tech said, “Dirk’s extensive experience in ERP, digital transformation, and business development makes him an invaluable addition to Wild Tech. His deep connections within the industry and expertise in fostering alliances will further enhance our ability to support businesses with tailored technology solutions. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”

Mr Wild said Mr Vorster’s appointment underscored Wild Tech’s continued focus on relationship-driven technology solutions and reinforces the company’s growth and presence in Perth and Western Australia. He said Mr Vorster’s local industry connections and strategic expertise would support “Wild Tech’s mission to deliver high-impact technology outcomes across key sectors”. 

This appointment followed the recent addition of Dan Whittle as general manager for managed services last month.

Mr Wild said Wild Tech’s role was as “end-to-end digital transformation partners” that leverage a unique industry-led approach, combined with market-leading platforms, to build Australia’s next generation of digital operating models. 

The company is Australian-owned and operated with a demonstrated Asia-Pacific regional capability. 

https://wild-tech.com.au

Sunshine Hydro appoints former NZ Govt Minister James Shaw as strategic advisor

QUEENSLAND-based green energy provider, Sunshine Hydro has appointed former New Zealand Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw as a strategic advisor.

Mr Shaw served as New Zealand’s Minister of Climate Change for six years under Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern from 2017-2020. He was a Member of Parliament for 10 years from 2014-2024 and Green Party Co-leader for nine of those years, from 2015-2024.

Mr Shaw said he would focus on enhancing Sunshine Hydro’s efforts to scale the business to full commercial operation. James Shaw Sunshine Hydro cropped

“I am delighted to support Sunshine Hydro in its mission of decarbonising the energy system,” Mr Shaw said. “Sunshine Hydro brings the ingenuity and capacity we need to become world leaders in addressing the massive environmental challenges we face.”

With a prior career spanning more than 15 years in management consulting, sustainability and business leadership, Mr Shaw’s insights will help advance Sunshine Hydro’s ongoing growth strategy.

Having left Parliament, Mr Shaw is now an operating partner at global infrastructure investment management company, Morrison. He is on the board of WWF New Zealand and is performing governance and advisory roles with climate change related businesses and NGOs.

Mr Shaw’s addition to the Sunshine Hydro team underscores the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its ambition to be a leading voice in driving change. Sunshine Hydro will be closing the latest A-round capital raise later this year, having $20m committed of the $40m it is seeking to grow the business.

“James’ guidance will contribute substantially to our broader goal of creating a sustainable future where all energy is renewable generated and nothing is wasted,” Sunshine Hydro CEO, Rick McElhinney said. “We welcome his strategic vision, environmental experience and look forward to rapidly scaling with his support.”

www.sunshinehydro.com

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Financial Services Council appoints new directors, boosts financial advice focus

THE Financial Services Council (FSC) has appointed four new directors to the FSC board, two sourced from its funds management membership, and two sourced from a new, expanded membership cohort of financial advice businesses.

The new directors are Keith Cullen, WT Financial Group managing director; Neil Younger, Fortnum Financial Group managing director and group CEO; Esther Kerr, Australian Unity CEO for wealth and capital markets; and Andrew Creber, J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Australia and New Zealand CEO. 

FSC chairman, David Bryant said FSC was the “leading voice in the superannuation, financial advice, investment platforms and funds management sectors”.

“The appointment of four senior industry leaders to the FSC board brings new depth of expertise to the FSC board and will further strengthen our representation of the industry,” Mr Bryant said.

In addition to the appointments, the FSC has welcomed new financial advice businesses to its membership “to deepen its engagement with the sector”.

Mr Bryant said this new model of engagement would add the advice licensees’ expertise to the FSC’s policy development processes and is coming at a critical time in the financial advice reform debate.

Advice licensees joining the FSC under this initiative include Count Ltd, Fortnum Private Wealth, Infocus, Otivo, Rhombus Advisory Pty Ltd and WT Financial Group.

FSC CEO Blake Briggs, said, “The financial services industry is at its strongest when it speaks with a unified voice on regulatory and policy issues that impact the sector and its consumers. 

“The FSC has a leading role unifying the industry on reform initiatives, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to appoint directors from the financial advice sector to deepen our engagement and strengthen our advocacy on advice issues.”

New director, WT Financial Group’s Keith Cullen said, “Delivering more affordable and accessible financial advice for Australian consumers is a priority for the FSC and the advice profession and I look forward to contributing to a strong, unified industry voice that ensures reform remains a priority for the Government.”

Fortnum Financial Group’s Neil Younger said he welcomed the challenge of his new role and an FSC director.

“At a pivotal time for the financial advice profession, I look forward to contributing the experience and insights of financial advisers and licensees to the FSC’s policy development, to help deliver a more efficient regulatory framework for financial advisers and their clients.” 
The appointment of two new FSC directors from the funds management sector reflects the FSC’s broad membership and representation of the industry, FSC’s Mr Bryant said.

One of those appointees, Australian Unity’s Esther Kerr said, “The FSC brings together an increasingly diverse set of businesses and perspectives from across the financial services industry, all focused on achieving sustainable, accessible and relevant products and services for our members.

“I am very pleased that my appointment provides the opportunity to share Australian Unity’s experience to help deliver policies that enable the financial wellbeing of Australian consumers.”

J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Andrew Creber said, “Australia’s financial services sector is a significant contributor to the Australian economy, and I look forward to contributing to the important role the FSC plays shaping the national economic reform agenda.” 

FSC’s David Bryant said FSC’s ‘full members’ represent Australia’s retail and wholesale funds management businesses, superannuation funds, life insurers and financial advice licensees. FSC ‘supporting members’ represent the professional services firms such as ICT, consulting, accounting, legal, recruitment, actuarial and research organisations. The financial services industry is responsible for investing more than $3 trillion on behalf of over 15.6 million Australians.

www.fsc.org.au

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AFCA announces new directors Raylene Bellottie and Yien Hong

THE Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has appointed Raylene Bellottie and Yien Hong to its board as two new industry directors, effective January 1 next year.

AFCA’s independent board chair, John Pollaers said the board was “excited to welcome Raylene and Yien, who would bring a wide breadth of skills and knowledge to their roles”.

“Both of these highly successful women are the perfect fit for AFCA’s board, and their appointments ensure the organisation will continue to provide an independent, free and fair external dispute resolution service for financial disputes in Australia,” Professor Pollaers said.

The AFCA board consists of an independent chair and an equal number of directors with consumer and industry experience, covering the multi-dimensional and highly complex industries AFCA deals with.

The AFCA announcement said Raylene Bellottie was “a proud Nanda woman from Yamatji country with a wealth of expertise as an Aboriginal business director, consultant and board member”. 

Ms Bellottie has “extensive financial sector experience of over 25 years. She is deeply committed to enhancing Indigenous financial literacy and has served as the deputy chair of the First Nations Foundation for more than 10 years. The foundation strives to promote economic freedom for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“She gained valuable experience during her tenure at ANZ Bank, later joining Credit Union Australia (CUA) as the national business development manager of First Nations accounts, where she was instrumental in expanding the First Nations portfolio from $17 million to over $200 million.

“Raylene is currently a business coach for the Waalitj Foundation, where she provides guidance and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enhance their competence and capability building. In addition, she has held various roles with the Indigenous Advisory Group, the Indigenous Financial Service Network, and as the deputy chairperson for Nanda Aboriginal Corporation. Raylene is currently a member and director of Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation and chairperson of Yamatji Funds Management Ltd.”

“Raylene’s remarkable career in the finance sector along with her experience working with small businesses, means she has a strong understanding of the important work AFCA does,” Professor Pollaers said.

Yien Hong is general counsel and company secretary at Judo Bank, Australia’s only purpose-built challenger business bank for small and medium enterprises, which listed on the ASX in November 2021. 

The AFCA announcement said “Yien has had an impressive executive career, having held senior roles in Australia and internationally across firms including Deutsche Bank, NAB and Linklaters. Prior to joining Judo Bank, she was general counsel and company secretary at Growthpoint Properties Australia, an ASX-200 listed property fund. Yien was also Senior Legal Counsel at NAB, providing legal advice and support to the bank's business banking division”.

Ms Hong’s international experience includes three years as the head of FX and Fixed Income Prime Brokerage Legal at Deutsche Bank, London, where she led a team that supported the structured derivatives business. Before joining Deutsche Bank, Ms Hong held a senior role with global law firm Linklaters, delivering client solutions for private equity acquisitions, cross-border financings and complex structured finance transactions.

Prof. Pollaers said with a passion for social justice, “Yien served for five years as the director and chair of the development committee at YWCA Housing (YWCA Victoria), working to provide accommodation and other services to disadvantaged women”.  She also currently serves as a non-executive director of the Australian Arts Orchestra, one of Australia’s leading contemporary ensembles.

“Yien’s impressive executive career, strong legal background and solid understanding of governance, underpinned with a strong sense of social justice, makes her an excellent fit for AFCA and an important addition to the board,” Prof. Pollaers said.

Ms Bellottie and Ms Hong will replace current AFCA board members Claire Mackay and Andrew Fairley. Ms Mackay joined the AFCA board in May 2018 and Mr Fairley in July 2018.

“Claire and Andrew played such an important part in AFCA’s first five years, as founding directors,” Prof. Pollaers said. “They both provided invaluable knowledge and expertise during their tenures and we thank them for the significant contributions they have made in helping AFCA to become the world-class ombudsman service it is today.”

AFCA is a non-government ombudsman service aiming to provide free, fair and independent dispute resolution to individual consumers and small businesses when they are not able to resolve complaints directly with financial firms in banking and finance, insurance, investments and advice, and superannuation. AFCA aims to help the parties reach agreement, but it can issue decisions that are binding on financial firms. 

www.afca.org.au

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